Uzbekistan, August 24, 2000 – American citizens are urged to be aware of an increased threat of terrorist violence in Uzbekistan and the heightened activity and vigilance by the security forces responding to that threat, especially in the period leading up to and during the September 1, 2000 celebration of Uzbekistan's Independence Day holiday. This heightened security stance is in response to fighting on the Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan-Uzbekistan borders, which has included recent hostage-taking incidents in Kyrgyzstan directly targeted against foreign citizens, one of which involved American citizens. Outbreaks of violence continue along the Uzbek-Tajik border in the Surkhandarya region, and Uzbekistani authorities are evacuating people in the region northeast of Tashkent. Americans are urged to avoid all travel in these regions. Some areas of Uzbekistan, generally on the borders with Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, have been closed to civilians and tourists due to operations by government security forces. Restricted personal movement, including the closing of roads to traffic and frequent document, vehicle and personal identification checks should be anticipated. U.S. citizen residents and visitors should remain vigilant with regard to their personal safety, especially if they choose to attend Independence Day events. Americans traveling to or residing in Uzbekistan are urged to contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy for up-to-date information on security developments. Uzbekistan is a newly independent nation in the midst of profound political and economic change. Tashkent is the capital. Many of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available. The Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Washington, DC is online.

Kyrgyz Republic, August 16, 2000 – The U.S. Department of State cautions Americans to avoid all travel to areas of the Kyrgyz Republic south and west of the provincial capital of Osh. The security situation in the southern Kyrgyz Republic remains fluid and potentially dangerous. In August 2000, militants launched an armed offensive into the southern Kyrgyz Republic. The Kyrgyz Government reports that up to 100 Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) fighters were discovered along the high mountain Tajik-Kyrgyz border in the area of the Turo Pass. Fighting between Kyrgyz security forces and the IMU group resulted in a number of reported Kyrgyz casualties. The Government of Kyrgyzstan reports the situation is under control and that communications have been maintained with Kyrgyz forces in the area. In August 1999, militants also launched an armed offensive from Tajikistan into the southern Kyrgyz Republic and seized four Japanese hostages. The militants withdrew from the Kyrgyz Republic in October and released the hostages following a counterattack by the Kyrgyz Government and the imminent onset of winter. Americans traveling to or residing in the Kyrgyz Republic are urged to contact the U.S. Embassy at 996-312-551-241 for updated security information. The Kyrgyz Republic (formerly known as Kyrgyzstan) is a newly independent nation in Central Asia undergoing profound political and economic change.

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