Question taken at Special Briefing by Under Secretary Kennedy on Oct. 3, 2010

Question:  When did the State Department last issue a travel alert of this nature? Were travel alerts issued after the terrorist bombings of public transport in London and Madrid?

Answer:  On September 9, 2010, the State Department issued a Worldwide Travel Alert urging U.S. citizens to exercise caution due to possible anti-U.S. demonstrations in response to stated plans by a Florida church to burn Qur'ans.

After the 2004 train bombing in Madrid, the Department issued a Travel Alert (then called a Public Announcement) on April 5, 2004. Following the London terror attacks, the Department on August 2, 2005 updated its Worldwide Caution with references to the attacks.

The current Worldwide Caution still includes a reference to attacks in London and Madrid as well as other European locations. Current travel information can be viewed at www.travel.state.gov.