The U.S. Department of State on December 8 updated its travel warning regarding the security situation in Nepal. While the department notes in the warning that it continues to be concerned about the security situation in the country, it notes that the restoration of Nepal's parliament, the formation of a new government and the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement are positive developments. Despite this progress, the department says, Maoist extortions and abductions continue, and road travel outside the Kathmandu valley is still dangerous and should be avoided. The department advises Americans to visit the embassy's web site, [http://nepal.usembassy.gov], for current security information. It also urges U.S. citizens to register with the Consular Section of the embassy at [https://travelregistration.state.gov]. Meantime, an Associated Press report in the Wall Street Journal says the U.S. embassy has warned U.S. citizens living and working in Cebu to reassess their personal security and keep a low profile. This warning, and cautions by the British and Australian governments, comes in advance of an ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit originally scheduled for Cebu this month. According to the ASEAN web site, [www.aseansec.org], the summit has been postponed until January by the Philippines because of concerns about an inbound storm.
