Originally Posted by
caspritz78
What a nonsense. That might necessary or a good advise if you are in certain unstable countries but I doubt that embassies in western countries are interested that every person on summer vacation informs them of their stay.
I know that especially the US state department has some weird ideas about classifying risk areas. Just a few weeks ago they issued a warning to US citizens that Garmisch Patenkirchen in Germany is a risk area because some GI's and locals got into a barfight.
Another poster has done an excellent job of responding to this, but for those interested, here is local (German) reporting on the incident:
"After a recent altercation between Americans and locals in the mountain resort, the US consulate in Munich said Americans could be targeted over the 4th of July weekend. On Sunday, the consulate said the alert would be lifted soon.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a popular recreation spot for US military personnel stationed in Germany.
After a brawl at a Garmisch nightclub two weeks ago where several people were injured, an American serviceman who took part was threatened with revenge attacks. Further threats came later in the week and warned that Americans would be the target of new attacks.
The US consulate in Munich issued a warning July 2, telling Americans to “avoid public gather places, particularly restaurants, bars and discos frequented by American citizens,” in Garmisch.
With the weekend drawing to a close without incident, consulate spokeswoman Kathrn Crockart told the news service DPA that the warning would “most likely” be lifted Monday.
“When we have this kind of threat, we have to inform our citizens,” said Crockart, who said she had not seen a similar warning issued in her 18 months of service in Bavaria."
As can be seen, there is more here than simply a brawl that was finished. The warning was based on the reports that Americans would be the target of new attacks.
One can agree or disagree with the policy on Travel Advisories and one is free not to read them. It is, however, official US policy (confirmed by administrations of both parties) that such information will be communicated to the traveling public- not all of whom are as sophisticated as FT folks.
And, as the other poster pointed out, it IS the job of our consulates and embassies to try to get in touch with traveling Americans in emergencies. One can avoid such a horrible state of affairs by simply not registering.
In any case, things often look different when the full story is told.