European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 7, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Saturday april 7 2007 stars and stripes Page 11 state department warns watch out abroad by Matthew Lee the associated press Washington As if you needed re minding if s dangerous out there and if your parents warnings that the world is full of malevolent people and mis Hap prone places didst stick the state department is ready to fill the void from the spectacular to the mundane while terrorism grabs headlines most problems faced by americans abroad have nothing to do with Al Aida but rather Cut Throat con artists corrupt officers and Dis Mal Drivers the colourful quirks of foreign lands be they unscrupulous cabaret girls in Cyprus or the arbitrary enforcement of Laws in mex Ico Are Laid Bare each year in safety and Security reports compiled by state depart ment analysts for every country on Earth the department puts them online mainly for employees of us firms doing Busi Ness abroad but Are available to anyone according to this years updates driving in Qatar is like participating in an extreme sport police involvement in criminal activity is both legendary and True in Mexico be aware of drink prices in Croatia gentlemen clubs where tourists can unknowingly run up exorbitant bar Bills sometimes in the thousands of dollars these Little publicized assessments Ven Ture beyond the Bland carefully worded travel advice the state department is nor Mally known for and Are often downright undiplomatic the mexican embassy in Washington for example objected to the characterization of police corruption calling it an unfortunate cliche things Are changing in Mexico for the Good spokesman Rafael Laveaga maintained but unflattering descriptions of coun tries Are not uncommon the tragedy of Haiti is that haitians have become great leaders in every profession and in every country with the exception of Haiti says the report for the impoverished Caribbean nation warning that trained personnel Are lacking to respond to any emergency automobile accidents cause the biggest Community Bank is proud to announce the upcoming opening of five additional new banking centers and two new atm Only locations across Italy on april 12 our newest banking Center at Asa Cap Dichino in Naples Italy will offer services designed specifically to meet the needs of our servicemen and women across Italy services such As free checking with online banking Low interest Loans savings accounts and convenient currency Exchange services that say Tihan you to those who serve our country and help ensure our Freedom operated by Bank of America member fac portion of no natural noncombat deaths of americans abroad accounting for nearly a third of the More than 2000 cases re ported to the state department Between 2004 and 2006 in the Oil Rich persian Gulf nation of Qatar the population of fewer than 900000 Racks up an astounding 70000 traffic Acci dents per year its report says the us embassy in Cyprus has ordered staff to avoid cabaret girls or Artistes who work with unscrupulous bar owners to overcharge patrons in search of female companionship the analysts say and when it comes to Law enforcement Mexico is not a place to rely on the local constabulary they say reporting crime is an archaic exhaust ing process in Mexico and is widely perceived to be a waste of time Christian grims Ather in Jerusalem Sarah Eldeeb the associated press Jerusalem Christian Pil grims from around the world filled the narrow Cobblestone streets of Jerusalem old City on Good Friday some carrying Large wooden crosses As they followed the route Jesus took on the Way to his crucifixion i can imagine Jesus walking Here with the Cross said Alex Kim an 18yearold Pilgrim from Seoul South Korea Dragan Petrovic wearing a ser Bian Flag on his shoulder said in Here to see and kiss All the places where god has been nearby an Arab Vendor shout ing in russian hawked Small crosses for one group made up of visitors from California and Korea reenacted Jesus last hours a korean Pilgrim played the role of Jesus covered with blood wearing a Crown of thorns and burdened by a Cross he was escorted by other pilgrims dressed As roman centurions one of the centurions Bob pay ton of Orange county California said this was his third Good Fri Day visit the lord moves us to come Here Payton said the calendars of five major Christian sects coincide this year a convergence that happens Only once every four years and crowds were expected to be larger than usual israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said hundreds of police were deployed around the old City to maintain order As thousands of pilgrims retrace the route that Jesus took As he car ried his own Cross to the site of his crucifixion there Are 14 stations along the route known As the via Dolorosa or Way of sorrows each marking an event that befell Jesus on his final walk the final five stations Are inside the Church of the holy sepulchre where Many christians believe Jesus was stripped crucified and finally Laid to rest before being resurrected on easter sunday