WARDEN MESSAGE NUMBER 12

December 28, 2007

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 to advise Americans that two New Years events in Istanbul have been cancelled; one in Kadikoy Square (Asian side), and the other in Taksim Square (European side).   Turkish media reported that the Kadikoy event was cancelled due to security concerns.  In the aftermath of Turkish cross-border operations against the KGK/PKK, security has been increased throughout Turkey.  In Istanbul, random incidents of arson against vehicles have occurred, a KGK/PKK terrorist was captured by police outside an Istanbul Metro Station in Mecidiyekoy, and in Kucukcekemece District one person was killed and six were injured when a device exploded in a garbage container approximately 100 meters from a local police station.  U.S. citizens should continue to maintain a high level of vigilance as a matter of routine.

Facilities such as shopping centers, public markets, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, and outdoor recreation events and resorts are potential targets both for demonstrations and for attacks by terrorist groups.  U.S. citizens should remain in a heightened state of personal security awareness if they need to be present at such locations.  Furthermore, U.S. citizens should be vigilant when using public transportation in Turkey, as these networks have been targeted in the past.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

 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 (232) 464-8755.

Paul Cunningham

Deputy Consular Section Chief