The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against non-essential travel to the Solomon Islands. Although ethnic conflict, which had mainly involved the islands of Guadalcanal and Malaita, has abated following the October 2000 peace agreement between rival militia groups, hundreds of automatic weapons remain in the hands of former fighters. The severe economic consequences of the conflict add to the unpredictability of the security environment, which has the potential to deteriorate rapidly.

Americans planning to visit the Solomon Islands should contact the U.S. Consular Agent in Honiara or the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for updates on the security situation. All Americans in the Solomon Islands should register with the U.S. Consular Agent in Honiara.

There is no U. S. Embassy in the Solomon Islands. However, American citizens in the Solomon Islands with emergencies or requiring updated security information may contact the U. S. Consular Agent, c/o BJS Agencies on Mendana Avenue in Honiara, telephone (677) 23426, fax (677) 27429, e-mail [email protected]. Alternatively, Americans may contact the U. S. Embassy in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, telephone (675) 321-1455, fax (675) 321-1593, e-mail [email protected]. For further general information on travel to the Solomon Islands, please consult the Department's latest Consular Information Sheet for the Solomon Islands.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to Liberia. The security situation throughout the country remains unstable and hostilities in northern Liberia have intensified.

The Department has prohibited dependents from accompanying U.S. Government employees to Liberia since March 1999. On May 3, 2001, as a precaution against the possible negative reactions to the anticipated May 7 implementation of United Nations bans on Liberian diamonds and the travel of senior Liberian government officials, the Department authorized the departure of Embassy personnel in non-emergency positions. U.S. citizens in Liberia are urged to review their own personal security situations in determining whether to remain in the country. The U.S. Embassy's ability to provide direct assistance to U.S. citizens outside of the Monrovia area is severely limited.

U.S. citizens in Liberia should be cautious of their surroundings at all times. The presence of many ill-trained and armed government security personnel continues to constitute a potential danger. The northern part of the country is unsettled as rebel activity in Sierra Leone and Guinea continues to affect stability along the Sierra Leone-Guinea-Liberia border areas. In particular, there have been reports of intensified hostilities in upper Lofa County. Travel anywhere in Liberia after dark is discouraged. From time to time, the U.S. Embassy restricts the travel of U.S. Government employees both by time and location. U.S. citizens in Liberia should check with the Embassy for current information regarding these restrictions.

This replaces the Travel Warning of November 2, 2000, to update the security situation and reflect the authorized departure status of U.S. Embassy personnel in non-emergency positions.

For additional information on travel to Liberia, please consult the Department's latest Consular Information Sheet for Liberia, available via the Internet at travel.state.gov