U.S. Public Announcement About Cricket World Cup
As if the Caribbean did not have enough drama with Cricket World Cup regarding the special visa requirements announced much too late for many Cricket fans.
Now the U.S. Government has issued an "announcement" for American travelers to the Caribbean. The average American is not a Cricket fan, but this is "high" season for vacation travel from the U.S. to the Caribbean.
A special visa, with a $100 price tag is being required of citizens from Pakistan, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and the Scandinavian nations for security reasons.
But citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Japan, the Netherlands, South Africa and all Caribbean Community member states, except for Haiti, do not need a special visa - no terrorist in any of these countries.
The worldwide media, and global travel industry is full of indignation over Cricket fans not being offered enough time, or in some cases no where to obtain the "special visa". For citizens who cannot apply in person, they must send their passport with the application and hope they get the "special visa", and their passport returned.
Fanatic Cricket fans in Pakistan, who do not have an application office were even asked to travel to rival country India to obtain this "special visa". That could start a war!
Here's the U.S. Public Announcement . . .
The U.S. State Department issued a Public Announcement to alert American citizens about the Cricket World Cup sporting tournament taking place at several Caribbean locations from March 5-April 28, 2007.
Americans planning travel to the Caribbean during this timeframe are strongly advised to be aware of tournament dates and locations, and take appropriate measures to safeguard their personal safety and property.
All American citizens traveling to and from the Caribbean by air must be in possession of a valid, unexpired passport.
Cricket World Cup matches are scheduled in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Increased demands on services in countries hosting the Cricket World Cup may strain the availability of taxis, emergency medical response, and other public services. The department said the busy tourist season, already under way during the March-April period, will be affected by the Cricket World Cup.
U.S. citizens should take this into consideration in planning travel to the Caribbean islands.
Security Assessment:
The U.S. Government remains concerned about the heightened threat of terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and interests abroad. Any large-scale public events could be the focus of terrorist acts or other forms of violence. U.S. citizens planning to attend matches or participate in other large-scale public gatherings during the Cricket World Cup are advised to use caution and stay alert to their surroundings at all times. As security increases in and around event venues, terrorists may shift their focus to more unprotected locations such as open public spaces, hotels, buses and other transportation systems, churches, restaurants, and other sites.
While there have been no specific, credible terrorist threats to the Cricket World Cup, the threat from international terrorist groups at major public events is always a principal concern. This includes the periods immediately before and after these events. Terrorist groups have demonstrated the capability to carry out sophisticated attacks against sizable structures – such as ships, large office buildings, embassies, and hotels. Threats could also emanate from extremists who may not be directly controlled by one terrorist group, as occurred in the Madrid train bombings on March 11, 2004, and the subway and bus bombings in London on July 7 and 21, 2005.
More information about the tournament, including match dates and locations, can be viewed at www.cricketworldcup.com.
The State Department anouncement can be found at:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cricket_world_cup/cricket_world_cup_3119.html
Linda Thompkins
in barbados sports, barbados travel, caribbean travel
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