Subject: American Community Security Update - April 2003 Welcome to the April newsletter! Here are the topics for this month: -- Security Situation -- Upcoming Holidays -- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) In Asia -- Passport Problems? -- Identification Characteristics of Suspicious Items -- Sorry, no fingerprinting... -- Parents' Guide to Talking to Children about War -- Helping Our Children Cope with Terrorism (bibliography) -- Unsubscribing from this List --------------------------------------------------------- Security Situation --------------------------------------------------------- The security situation in Japan remains the same with no new threat information reported from either the American or the Japanese side other than the March 19, 2003 Worldwide Caution Public Announcement we distributed via this channel (you can always read the most current information online at http://travel.state.gov). There are reports of anti-war demonstrations throughout Japan. The Japanese authorities continue to ensure public safety and the demonstrations have been peaceful. It is prudent to follow advice in the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement when encountering demonstrators and avoid these groups; specifically, the announcement stated "As a result of military action in Iraq, there is a potential for retaliatory actions to be taken against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. Public demonstrations carry the potential for precipitating violence directed at American citizens, symbols associated with the United States or other U.S. and western interests" (full text is available at http://travel.state.gov). We use this service to provide you the most up-to-date safety and security related information we have available on a monthly basis. Should we receive any time-sensitive information of a security-related nature, we will use this channel to keep you informed immediately. --------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Holidays --------------------------------------------------------- The Embassy will be closed on April 29 for Greenery Day. A full list of all of our holiday closings for 2003 is online at: http://usembassy.state.gov/tokyo/wwwhholidays.html As a reminder, workdays just before and just after a holiday are usually very busy times, so if you do come in to see us then your wait will likely be longer than on other days. Generally speaking, Monday mornings, Wednesday mornings and Friday afternoons are our busiest times. Visit us outside of those times and you should have a shorter wait. --------------------------------------------------------------- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) In Asia --------------------------------------------------------------- The following information was provided to the American Embassy community for planning official or personal travel. The situation with regard to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Asia continues to evolve. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that cases in travelers have been epidemiologically linked to travel to Hong Kong and Guangdong Province, China, and Hanoi, Vietnam. Reports now indicate a much broader spread of the disease in Mainland China. Authorized departure has been approved for Embassy family members in Vietnam because of inadequate medical facilities and the refusal of commercial carriers to medevac SARS patients. CDC has offered the following recommendation: "CDC continues to advise that people planning elective or non-essential travel to Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Hanoi, Vietnam may wish to postpone their trips until further notice." In addition to the above guidance, the Department of State notes the inability to assure medevac of SARS patients at this time. Embassy staff have been reminded that worldwide official travel be limited to essential activities. It is all the more important that official travel to SARS-affected areas be reviewed to determine that travel is essential. Updated information on the SARS problem, including a revised SARS Fact Sheet, is available on the Department of State's web site at http://travel.state.gov Travelers should also consult the Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/, and the World Health Organization (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/ for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Passport Problems? ------------------------------------------------------------------- Most adults, and even most children, can renew their passports by mail, avoiding the trip to the Embassy. Processing takes the same amount of time, whether you submit your documents in person, or by mail, as all full validity U.S. passports are now printed in the U.S. Total time once we have everything from you in good order is usually about two to three weeks. Making sure the documents you submit are in good order is the best way to assure yourself of a rapid turnaround. The two most common problems are wrong-sized photos and failure to include both parents' consent when renewing a minor's passport. So, before applying for your next passport, please take a look at these pages on our web site: Renewing an Adult's Passport (includes details on the photos needed) http://usembassy.state.gov/tokyo/wwwh7130f.html Renewing a Child's Passport (includes details on the photos needed and the form needed for both parents to consent to the passport issuance) http://usembassy.state.gov/tokyo/wwwh7130i.html ----------------------------------------------------------------- Identification Characteristics Of Suspicious Items ----------------------------------------------------------------- Here are some tips on how to scrutinize letters and parcels at the office and at home for indicators that it may contain chem/bio agents or improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Generally, such letters and parcels are "victim activated," meaning that a person must open or otherwise manipulate the letter or parcel to trigger the IED or release the chem/bio agent. These devices can range from the size of a small envelope to a large parcel. In the past, IEDs have been disguised as letters, books, candy or figurines. Chem/bio agents generally need an aerosol dispenser. Anthrax and hazardous material deliveries, historically, have been loose powder deposited in the envelope or parcel. If you regularly open mail, you should be generally familiar with companies, vendors and agencies with which your office corresponds. That alone will assist you to eliminate a great deal of concern with the majority of your mail. Mail from unknown sources with any of the suspicious characteristics noted on the back of this document should be considered suspect. If you identify a letter or package as suspicious (see below), do not open it, do not let others handle or inspect it, and seal access to the immediate area by closing the door to the room where the item is located. Call for assistance-- police (telephone 110) and fire department (telephone 119). If you find a foreign substance in the mail after opening, do not panic or attempt to carry the item to another location. Gently cover the envelope or package with anything (eg., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not remove this cover. Avoid spreading any powder to your face. Turn off all fans or air conditioners, close all windows, alert others in the area to the threat, and seal access to the area by closing the nearest door. Take note of all personnel in the area when the suspect substance was discovered. This is important for follow-up screening/treatment. If you handled the letter or package, immediately wash your face, hands and exposed skin with warm soapy water. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Characteristics To Identify Suspect Letters And Parcels ------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Suspicious origin, especially if the postmark or name is unusual, unknown, or no further address is given. -- Handwriting that is not familiar or indicates a foreign style not normally seen by recipient. -- Warning notice or threat on the exterior. -- Excessive or inadequate postage. -- Excessive tape, string, or other binding materials. -- A postmark that does not match the return address. -- Off-balance or lopsided letter or package. -- Unusual weight for the size of the letter or package. Letters may be unusually thick. -- Stiffness or springiness of contents. (When checking, do not bend excessively.) -- Protruding wires or components; unusual grease or oil stains on the envelope. -- Strange smell, particularly almond or other suspicious odors. -- Misspelling of common words or names. -- Rub-on or block lettering. -- Restrictive markings such as "confidential" or "personal" or a honorific title appended to the name of the addressee. -- Small hole in the envelope or package that could be for an arming or safety wire. -- Rattling inside the envelope or package could be loose components of a device. -- Visual distractions (e.g., currency, pornography, drawings). --------------------------------------------------- Sorry, no fingerprinting... --------------------------------------------------- While we do like to keep things on the positive side, this one is a negative. Unfortunately, the Embassy does not provide fingerprinting services. This comes up at times when Americans are seeking work visas in some countries or otherwise need a U.S. criminal record check, which means submitting one's fingerprints to the FBI. We understand that some Americans have been able to successfully get their prints taken at the police headquarters with jurisdiction over where they reside (not at the local police station [Koban]). Regardless of where the prints are taken, the Embassy cannot make any statement as to who the owner of the prints is. Some places that need your finger prints also request that the Embassy verify in writing that the prints on the card belong to the right person. We have no means of verifying this, and so cannot help you with any type of sworn statement or notarial in this regard. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Parents' Guide to Talking to Children about War -------------------------------------------------------------------- This guide, published by the National Center for Children Exposed to Violence (NCCEV). The NCCEV was established in 1999 at the Yale Child Study Center by the U.S. Department of Justice, based upon the pioneering work done by the Yale Child Study Center's Child Development-Community Policing Program. You can find the guide online here: http://www.nccev.org/docs/children_war.pdf We also have advice for parents whose children have experienced a traumatic event on our website, here: http://usembassy.state.gov/tokyo/wwwhacs-trau.html Please remember that inclusion of Non-U.S. Government links or information does not imply endorsement of contents. -------------------------------------------------------------- Helping Our Children Cope with Terrorism (Bibliography) -------------------------------------------------------------- Last month's article on helping children cope with terrorism brought in some requests for additional information. Here is a bibliography that may be of use, complied by the Ralph J. Bunche Library at the Department of State in Washington. Books for Adults Alexander, Debra Whiting. Children Changed by Trauma: A Healing Guide. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications, 1999. Braiker, Harriet B. The September 11 Syndrome: Seven Steps to Getting a Grip in Uncertain Times. New York; McGraw-Hill Trade, 2002. Bromfield, Richard. Living with the Boogeyman: Helping Your Child Understand Fear, Terrorism, and Living in a World of Uncertainty. New York: Random House, 2002. Brooks, Barbara. The Scared Child: Helping Kids Overcome Traumatic Events. Hoboken, NJ: J. Wiley and Sons, 1996. Canfield, Jack L. Chicken Soup for the Soul of America: Stories to Heal the Heart of Our Nation. Deerfield Beach, FL: Heath Communications, Inc., 2002. Coloroso, Barbara. Parenting Through Crisis: Helping Kids in Times of Loss, Grief, and Change. New York: HarperCollins, 2000. Emswiler, Mary Ann. Guiding Your Child through Grief. New York: Bantam Books, 2000. Espeland, Pamela. Helping Children Cope with the Loss of a Loved One: A Guide for Grownups. Minneapolis: Free Spirit Publishing, Inc., 1996. Fitzgerald, Helen. The Grieving Child: A Parents Guide. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992. Gellman, Marc. Bad Stuff in the News: A Guide to Handling the Headlines. New York: SeaStar Books, 2002. Grollman, Earl A. Talking about Death: a Dialogue between Parent and Child. Boston: Beacon Press, 1991. Jarratt, Claudia Jewett. Helping Children Cope with Separation and Loss. Boston: Harvard Common Press, 1994. Johnson, Kendall. Trauma in the Lives of Children: Crisis and Stress Management Techniques for Counselors, Teachers, and Other Professionals. Alameda: Hunger House, Inc., 1998 Kroen, William C. Helping Children Cope with the Loss of a Loved One: a Guide for Grownups. Minneapolis: Free Spirit Pub., 1996. La Greca, Annette M. Helping Children Cope with Disasters and Terrorism. Washington: American Psychological Association, June 2002. Matsakis, Aphrodite. I Can't Get Over It: A Handbook for Trauma Survivors. Collingdale: DIANE Publishing Co., 2001. Monahon, Cynthia. Children and Trauma: A Guide for Parents and Professionals. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, July 1997. Ritchie, Ralph W. First Aid for Disaster Stress Trauma Victims, A Guide and Self-Help Manual for the Lay-Person Treating Disaster Stress Trauma Victims. Springfield: Ritchie Unlimited Publications, 1995. Rosenbloom, Dena and Mary Beth Williams. Life after Trauma: A Workbook for Healing. New York: Guilford Publications, Inc., 1999. Schaefer, Dan. How Do We Tell the Children?: A Step-by-Step Guide for Helping Children Two to Teen Cope when Someone Dies. New York: Newmarket Press, 2002. Schiraldi, Glenn R. The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook: A Guide to Healing, Recovery and Growth. New York: Contemporary Books; McGraw-Hill, 2000. Terror, Trauma and Healing: One Year Later. New York: Lichtenstein Creative Media, Incorporated, 2002. Trozzi, Maria. Talking with Children about Loss: Words, Strategies and Wisdom to Help Children Cope with Death, Divorce, and Other Difficult Times. New York: Perigee Books, 1999. Van der Kolk, Bessel, et al. Traumatic Stress: The Effects of Overwhelming Experience on Mind, Body and Society. New York: Guilford Publications, Inc., 1996. Ziegler, Robert G. Homemade Books to Help Kids Cope: An Easy -to-Learn Technique for Parents & Professionals. Washington: American Psychological Association, 1992. (For parents with children ages 4-13) Books for Children and Teens Alexander, Debra W. The World I See: A Creative Healing Book. Plainview, NJ: Bureau For At-Risk Youth, 1992. Ages 4-10 Cain, Barbara. Double-Dip Feelings: Stories to Help Children Understand Emotions. Washington: Magination Press, 2001. Ages 4-8 Covey, Sean. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1998. Ages 12-17 Deskin, Gerald and Greg Steckler. When Nothing Makes Sense: Disaster, Crisis, and Their Effects on Children. Minneapolis: Fairview Press, 1997. All Ages. Duffy, Carol Ann. Stopping for Death: Poems of Death and Loss. New York: Henry Holt & Company, 1996. Ages 12-up Dunphy, Joan S. The Mouse Family Most Terrible, Terrifying Day: Helping Children Cope with Terrorism Fears. Far Hills: Small Horizon Press Publishers, Inc, 2002. Ages 4-9 Dutro, Jack. Night Light: A Story for Children Afraid of the Dark. Washington: American Psychological Association, 1991. Ages 3-7 Grollman, Earl A. Straight Talk about Death for Teenagers: How to Cope with Losing Someone You Love. Boston: Beacon Press, 1993. Ages 12-17 Holden, L. Dwight. Gran-Gran's Best Trick: A Story for Children Who Have Lost Someone They Love. Washington: American Psychological Association, 1989. Ages 4-12 Holmes, Margaret M. A Terrible Thing Happened: A Story for Children Who Have Witnessed Violence or Trauma. Washington: Magination Press, 2000. Ages 4-8 Mark, Bonnie S. I'll know What to Do: A Kid's Guide to Natural Disasters. Washington: American Psychological Association, 1997. Ages 8-13 Mills, Joyce C. Gentle Willow: A Story for Children about Dying. Washington: American Psychological Association, 1993. Ages 4-8 Pellegrino, Marjorie White. I Don't Have an Uncle Phil Anymore. Washington: Magination Press, 1998. Ages 4-10 Online Resources American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. http://www.aacap.org/ The National Center for PTSD literature base. http://www.ncptsd.org/ The Red Cross. http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/childtrauma.html American Psychological Association. http://www.helping.apa.org/daily/ptguidelines.html National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/violence.cfm National Organization of School Psychologists. http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/specpop.html (tips for helping kids w/special needs) --------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribing from this List --------------------------------------------------- We make every attempt to include in our newsletter information of real value. We know that should world events dictate, we can use this email channel to get important information to you, as we did in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. That said, if you are leaving Japan or otherwise wish to unsubscribe from this list, please write from the same email address you used to subscribe, and send a blank email to: leave-tokyoacs@mh.databack.com