WASHINGTON, July 15 (UPI) -- The State Department lifted its 12-year-old ban on travel to Iraq Tuesday, but it is still warning Americans about the dangers of visiting that nation.
The move is seen as part of the administration's effort to restore normalcy to Iraq. But officials say Iraq remains a dangerous place and that it will still be some time before conditions will allow casual travel and tourism.
Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage authorized the order lifting the travel ban that had been in effect since the beginning of the Gulf War in 1991.
However, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told a news conference, "I think you're all aware of the various attacks that have occurred, almost on a daily basis, from remnants of the Baathist regime, from terrorists or criminal elements that remain active in Iraq.
"We have limited, very limited, consular services. The situation is generally dangerous, and therefore we strongly warn against such travel."
