Car rental in Uzbekistan - Safety and Security

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Safety and Security

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Supporters of extremist groups such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), Al-Qaeda, and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement remain active throughout Central Asia. These groups have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments and may attempt to target U.S. Government or private interests in Uzbekistan. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Because of increased security at official U.S. facilities, terrorists are seeking softer civilian targets such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, hotels, schools, outdoor recreation events, resorts, beaches, maritime facilities, and planes. U.S. citizens should remain vigilant about their own personal safety and avoid, if possible, locations where Americans and Westerners generally congregate in large numbers.

The Uzbek Government has intermittently restricted travel to certain parts of the country in response to security concerns. On December 1, 2001, the Uzbek Government imposed travel restrictions on large parts of the Surkhandarya Oblast region bordering Afghanistan, including the border city of Termez. Please keep in mind that the border between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan remains closed to all but official traffic.

In August 2000, portions of the Uzbek borders with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan were closed to civilians and tourists in response to insurgency activity by the IMU. If IMU activity recurs, travelers could expect restricted personal movement, including the closing of roads to traffic, and frequent document, vehicle, and personal identification checks should be anticipated.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found. Americans traveling to or residing in Uzbekistan are urged to register at the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent and to stay apprised of security developments via the Consular Information Sheet for Uzbekistan and through the US Embassy warden system.

Additionally, U.S. citizens should check the Consular Information Sheets and current Travel Warnings or Public Announcements for nearby countries, including Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan on a regular basis. The U.S. Embassy in each of those countries can provide up-to-date information about local crime and safety issues. Information about how to contact each Embassy directly is available on the Internet at the Consular Affairs home page, http://travel.state.gov, or by calling the U.S. Embassy, Tashkent.

The Overseas Citizens Services call center at 1-888-407-4747 can answer general inquiries on safety and security overseas. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.