RIYADH, 5 July 2004 — The low-key Fourth of July for US expatriates in Saudi Arabia passed amid security concerns and a fresh embassy advisory cautioning Americans against traveling to Bahrain.
There were “no public celebrations to mark the US National Day. We are grateful to all those who have greeted us on this special day,” US Embassy spokeswoman Carol Kalin told Arab News.
Independence Day celebrations here usually take place in the fall and would be announced nearer the time, she added.
Last year, the Fourth of July was celebrated on Sept. 24 at the ambassador’s residence in the Diplomatic Quarter here.
Robert Keith, the embassy’s press attache, said the travel advisory was put out since many Americans in the Kingdom travel to Bahrain for short visits and Manama is easily accessible from the Eastern Province.
“The US Mission in Saudi Arabia would like to advise the American community in Saudi Arabia about the latest Department of State Travel Warning for Bahrain” which warns US citizens to defer travel to Bahrain, he said. American citizens in Bahrain are urged to consider leaving.
The travel advisory issued Saturday night said the State Department received information that extremists are planning attacks against US and other Western interests in Bahrain.
