WARDEN MESSAGE NUMBER 6

April 28, 2007

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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There is a demonstration planned for Sunday, April 29, from 1400 to 1700 hours in the Sisli-Çağlayan section of Istanbul’s European side. The demonstration area is situated adjacent to the E-5/D-100 highway, which connects to several main streets that lead to the popular Taksim and Beyoğlu districts. The demonstration is being organized by the Society to Support Contemporary Lifestyle (Cağdaş Yaşamı Destekleme Derneği) to show support for secular values in Turkey during the presidential election process. In the past demonstrations at Çağlayan have drawn tens of thousands of people, and a similar demonstration in Ankara on April 14 drew hundreds of thousands of people. In Istanbul, at a minimum expect several street closures and considerable traffic delays. Please plan your day accordingly. Demonstrations at Sisli-Çağlayan are sometimes mirrored by demonstrations on the Asian side of the city at Kadıköy’s main square.

We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can become 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. 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 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 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 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

The Consular Agent in Izmir can be contacted at (90)(232) 464-8755

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