Must read:
CONSULAR INFORMATION PROGRAM, WARDEN MESSAGES AND THE NO DOUBLE STANDARD POLICY
http://foia.state.gov/masterdocs/07FAM/07M0050.PDF
google→ “warden message” influenza
Not opening for me, my computer is having trouble. Could you post most important sections, please?
7 FAM 051.4 Dealing With Your Host Government
(CT:CON-109; 07–13–2005)
a. Host country officials occasionally express dismay or resentment about U.S. Government’s public dissemination of security- related warnings. The Department has no higher responsibility than the safety and security of U.S. citizens. You may explain that U.S. law requires that we share information with U.S. citizens that will assist them to make prudent decisions about their own safety.
b. In certain situations, but only with PRIOR PERMISSION from the Department, you may inform the host government of the imminent release of a Travel Warning. Travel Warnings, Public Announcements and Consular Information Sheets are never
7 FAM 050 Page 2 of 14 U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual Volume 7 – Consular Affairs subject to negotiation with or censoring by a foreign government. 7 FAM 052 NO DOUBLE STANDARD POLICY 7 FAM 052.1 Statement of Policy (CT:CON-109; 07–13–2005)
a. In administering the travel information program, the Department of State applies a “no double standard” policy to important security threat information, including criminal information.
(1) Such information, if shared by the Department with the official U.S. community, generally should be made available to the non-official U.S. community if the underlying threat applies to both official and non-official Americans.
(2) If a post issues information to its employees about potentially dangerous situations, it should evaluate whether the potential danger could also affect private U.S. citizens/U.S. non-citizen nationals living in or traveling through the affected area.
(3) If so, the post should notify the Department and request approval of dissemination of the information to the public.
(4) The policy is not intended to prevent the limited distribution of information about threats to specific U.S. citizens/U.S. non-citizen nationals or U.S. corporations. Important security information may be shared on a limited basis when directed toward a specific target or when appropriate to counter a particular threat.
b. When to Activate the Warden Network: Posts should use warden messages to disseminate information about routine topics such as voter registration, income tax season, new passport procedures, and other non-security related issues important to the local U.S. citizen community. Whenever the Department revises the Worldwide Caution or issues a Public Announcement or Travel Warning for your country or region you should disseminate it via your warden network.
Warden messages are most importantly used to inform U.S. citizens about events or threats that can affect their personal security.
7 FAM 058.2 Writing a Warden Message
(CT:CON-109; 07–13–2005)
a. The Department’s “no double standard” policy, provided in 7 FAM 052, is an integral part of our approach to warden messages. The double standard we guard against is in sharing threat-related information with the official U.S. community — beyond those whose job involves investigating and evaluating threats — but not disseminating it to the U.S. citizen general public when that information does or could apply to them as well. If information is mistakenly disseminated to the official U.S. community — either in writing or by word-of-mouth – who do not have a need to know, post should inform CA/OCS. The Department will work with post to develop language that is appropriate to release to the public.
Thanks, Pixie
bump
Not that they follow their own rules however….
Bird Guano – at 13:08
“not that they follow their own rules however…. “
..gee, anything else new?
Not the only place that got a twelve-week warning… where’d I see that other one - Tunisia?
Tunisia, right.
The difference is that people at the consulate and embassy staff are there for the duration. People doing business are there of their own violition, but the Government is not responsible for their being there, or for their choice in living there. Look at Lebanon, I think there was ample warning of what would happen. People stayed put, and some I think foolishly assumed the cavalry would come to the rescue. Some had family and felt safe enough, and then the Isrealies proceeded to do what they said they would do. Destroy the infrastructure. Its not like the marines, “No wounded left behind.” If people aren’t aware of the bird flu especially in that corner of the planet, they are blithering idiots.
Until they change this one:
What do Peter Sandman and Jody Lanard have to say about the
prepare Americans abroad for disruptions in food, water, medicine, appearing and disappering, “twelve-week” recommendations, vs the mainland, “two week” “nothing-to-see-here, don’t panic” messages ?
Can they talk some sense into my and everyone else’s local officials please? (-As if they wouldn’t have already if they could have.)
;-)