WARDEN MESSAGE NUMBER 20

November 24, 2006

Phone: (090) 212-335-9000
Fax: (090) 212-335-9102
E-mail: ca_istanbul@state.gov
http://istanbul.usconsulate.gov

DEAR WARDEN:

This important message was sent out a few minutes ago to all of the volunteer wardens who assist the Consulate in passing important messages to American citizens in the Istanbul region. To help speed up the process we are also sending this directly to everyone registered with the Consular Section who has provided us an e-mail address. As a result, some of you will receive this message more than once.

Scott Oudkirk
Consular Section Chief

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Pope Benedict XVI will visit Turkey between November 28 and December 1.  It is expected that there will be large gatherings of people wishing to see the Pope as he carries out his schedule in Ankara, Ephesus, and Istanbul during this period.  While there is no firm information available about any demonstrations against the Pope, there may be gatherings to protest his visit.

The other event we want to alert Americans to is the anniversary of the founding of the PKK on November 27. On this date, unauthorized gatherings are likely to occur in cities throughout Turkey.

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Turkey to be alert to the potential for violence, to avoid those areas where disturbances have occurred, and to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.  Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

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.

Contact information for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey:

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara <http://ankara.usembassy.gov/> is 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 <http://istanbul.usconsulate.gov/> 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 website <http://istanbul.usconsulate.gov/>.

The U.S. Consulate in Adana <http://adana.usconsulate.gov/> is located at Girne Bulvari No. 212, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana, Turkey. tel: 90)(322) 346-6262, fax (90)(322) 346-7916,web site at http://adana.usconsulate.gov

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