Warden Messages 2008
Warden Message Number 5
July 9, 2008
CONSULATE GENERAL OF
THE UNITED STATES
Istanbul, Turkey
Phone: (090) 212-335-9000
Fax: (090) 212-335-9102
E-mail: ca_istanbul@state.gov
http://istanbul.usconsulate.gov
This Warden Message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to security concerns in Turkey. On July 9, a terrorist attack on the Turkish police guarding the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul resulted in the death of three police officers and wounding of other police personnel; there have been no reported injuries involving Consulate employees or family members. At this time, responsibility for the attack has not been assigned to a specific terrorist group.
The U.S. Consulate General will be closed for visa interviews and non-emergency U.S. citizen services on Thursday, July 10. The Consulate General is expected to reopen on July 11 and thereafter will resume its normal hours of service.
As security is increased at official U.S. facilities, terrorists may seek softer targets. These can include facilities where Americans and Westerns are known to live or congregate, especially hotels, restaurants, housing compounds, places of worship, and resort areas. U.S. citizens are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and to maintain a low profile throughout Turkey. We reiterate Department of State advice to American citizens to take prudent steps to ensure their personal safety. Remain aware of surroundings, listen to news reports, avoid crowds and demonstrations, and vary times and routes for all travel.
We also note that a worldwide caution for American citizens remains in effect. For the latest security information, Americans living or traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s website, http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts can be found.
Contact information for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey:
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara is located at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, tel: (90) (312) 455-5555, fax (90)(312) 468-6131. The Internet address is http://ankara.usembassy.gov.
The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul is located at Kaplicalar Mevkii Sokak No. 2, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, tel: (90) (212) 335-9000, fax (90) (212) 335-9102. Istanbul-specific information can also be accessed via the Consulate's web site at http://istanbul.usconsulate.gov/.
The U.S. Consulate in Adana is located at Girne Bulvari No. 212, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana, Turkey. Tel: 90) (322) 346-6262, fax (90) (322) 346-7916, web site: http://adana.usconsulate.gov.
The Consular Agent in Izmir can be contacted at (90) (232) 464-8755.
(end of message)