As the war drum continues to beat, local expats are nervous about the future. Will war with Iraq restrict our travel? What is the risk of a terrorist attack in Bulgaria? In the event of a crisis, where do we turn for help?

The answers are a bit tricky and depend on your nationality of course. Overall, most foreign governments here list the risk of terrorism as moderate; it is the shadow of a pending war that might change that viewpoint.

Last week, the US State Department updated its assessment of crime and safety in Bulgaria. In the same week they issued another crisis preparedness advisory to all registered Americans living in Bulgaria. These advisories have been streaming out in the past few weeks from the Regional Security Office and include preventative information about everything from biological and chemical agents to possible evacuation.

Currently, the British Embassy does not use an email notification system for local expats but lists general safety and security information on its website. That will soon change according to Tim Colley, Deputy Chief of Mission, at the British Embassy. "We plan to reissue our global advisories in a more structured format for all countries, including Bulgaria, this week. The update will include the threat of international terrorism," he said.

Security officials don't know for sure the ramifications of war with Iraq but all agree that it will mean increased security at foreign embassies and consulates. Also, foreign businesses and schools operating in Bulgaria are being encouraged to upgrade their security procedures in the event of war.

Should we be stocking up on water and packing an evacuation bag? "People need to understand that the US government makes this information available to all citizens so that they may make informed decisions" said Mike Seidenstricker, spokesperson for the US Embassy in Sofia. That means it will be an individual and/or family decision whether or not to heed this advice.

For my family we've chosen the "better safe than sorry" method. I'd much rather gather my important documents and materials now at a leisurely pace than during a time of stress later. We have registered with our embassy and regularly check their website for security updates. Our relatives at home know how to reach us and, if they can't, they have a list of contact numbers to track us down.

And for those of you married to Bulgarians, will your embassy evacuate your better half too? That's an often-asked question for consulate and embassy officers when evacuation rumours begin to fly. The short answer from the US Embassy is, "Yes, but there are restrictions." There is a long list of criteria that must be met officially and legally before an evacuation is executed and the circumstances will determine those restrictions.

All of these issues bring to light the importance of registering with your embassy. The US Embassy estimates there are 1000 Americans living in Bulgaria while the British Embassy approximates 800 expats living here. Officials from both embassies say managing a potential crisis involving so many people will be a lot easier if expats register shortly after arrival in Bulgaria.

No one knows what to expect in the coming weeks. The only way to combat chaos associated with a crisis is to know where to find clear lines of communication and information. Stay connected and stay informed that's your best defence against uncertainty.

Additional Resources:

U.S.Sources:

- New Crime and Safety Report for Bulgaria:

www.usembassy.bg/mission/crime_report_03.html

- Latest Emergency Planning Notice - Evacuation

http://www.usembassy.bg/visa/emergency.html

- For access to previous emergency planning notices, go to

http://travel.state.gov/crisismg.html#awareness

includes crisis prep information for families, senior citizens, handicapped citizens and pets and animals.

- Homepage of the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria:

www.usembassy.bg with links to the Consulate

with links to the Consulate

- Security Guidelines for American Families Living Abroad - 106 pages, available at:

http://ds.state.gov/about/publications/osac/families.pdf

- Security Guidelines for Children Living Abroad - 19 pages, covering: includes gentle reminders about neighborhood, school, daycare and domestic help security issues. Available at:

www.ds.state.gov/about/publications/osac/families.html

- Worldwide travel warnings at:

http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html

United Kingdom Sources:

- Homepage of the British Embassy in Bulgaria: www.british-embassy.bg

- Worldwide Travel Warnings and Advice at: www.fco.gov.uk

German Sources:

- Home page of the German Embassy in Bulgaria:

http://www.german-embassy.bg/de/home/index.html

Canadian Sources:

- Worldwide travel Warnings:

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/ctry/reportpage-en.asp

- Advice for the Woman Traveller, a very helpful publication at:

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/Consular-e/Publications/her

_own_way-e.htm

Australian Sources:

- Worldwide Travel Warnings: http://www.ausemb.gr/honorary_consuls.html

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