PARIS, May 1: The US Embassy in Paris has issued a “Consular Warden Message” in which it has asked American travellers to avoid visiting Paris at least through May 5th, the date of the second round of French presidential elections which are expected to be won by incumbent head of state Jacques Chirac.

In issuing the warning, the embassy did not indicate whether, as it has in the past, Americans are particularly targeted with regard to the May Day demonstrations in Paris, and the remaining days of the week. In the past, the American Embassy and US Department of State have forewarned travellers about situations in which they might be the target of terrorist attacks linked to US involvement in its own anti-terrorist activities in the Middle East, Afghanistan, the Philippines and Georgia in the ex-Soviet Union.

Usually, too, the cities that Americans are asked to avoid are located in less travelled parts of the world, notably in Asia and the Middle East.

A brouhaha followed the US State Department’s request last month that Americans avoid travelling to Italy, where the possibility of anti-US terrorist attacks had been detected. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, fearing that the warning would frighten away American travellers during a major tourist season, reacted angrily at the time, telling American tourists that his own intelligence sources had indicated their lives were no more in danger then than they were at any other particular moment.

No warning message was issued by the US government or American Embassy in Paris with regard to demonstrations leading up to the first round of presidential elections April 21st.

According to the message, “The Embassy has been informed that over 100,000 protestors are expected to demonstrate on May 1, 2002, throughout France, particularly in the city of Paris. French police have advised the Embassy that the May 1 protestors in Paris will assemble beginning at 9:00 am at various points on the Right Bank. Demonstrations on the Right Bank are scheduled to continue into the evening of May 1. French police will provide additional security in the areas of all demonstrations.

But, notes the message, “in addition to French Labour Day rallies and celebrations, authorities expect that the large political demonstrations, some of which have involved violence, that have occurred throughout France following the first round of presidential elections last week will continue on May 1. There is a strong possibility of additional demonstrations through May 5.”

As a result, notes the warning, “Americans travelling in France through May 5 should be vigilant and avoid the area of any demonstration or street protest. Americans in Paris and other major French cities on May 1 should avoid the route of any demonstrations, if possible, bearing in mind that past demonstrations have on occasion involved violence.”