WARDEN MESSAGE NUMBER 4
March 16, 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
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
(start of message)
On Saturday, March 17, there are two demonstrations planned in Istanbul to protest against "the occupation of Iraq" and "the United States and its collaborators." The first will at 13:00 hours at the downtown square in the Kadikoy section of Istanbul’s Asian side. This is in the immediate vicinity of Kadikoy’s ferry piers. The demonstrators will first gather in front of the Numune Hospital’s main entrance at 12:00 from which they will proceed to the square. The second, on the European side of the city, will begin at 14:30 in front of the Ataturk Cultural Center in Taksim Square. The demonstration is planned to include a march from there to to Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul’s Besiktas district.
We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can become confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. At a minimum, expect several street closures and considerable traffic delays. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. As is always the case while overseas, Americans should exercise caution and good judgment, keep a low profile, and remain vigilant with regard to their personal security.
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).
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
(end of message)