WARDEN MESSAGE NUMBER 7

June 8, 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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This Warden Message is being sent to alert U.S. citizens to the continuing potential for terrorist actions against civilians in Turkey and notes recent incidents in Ankara and Izmir, as well as the Southeast. 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 when attendance at such locations is unavoidable. Furthermore, U.S. citizens should be vigilant when using public transportation in Turkey, as these networks have been targeted in the past.

The U.S. Embassy also 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.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Turkey are encouraged to register with the Embassy or nearest consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Turkey. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, at the Consulate General in Istanbul, at the Consulate in Adana, or with the Consular Agent in Izmir to obtain updated information on travel and security in Turkey.  Embassy communications with the resident American citizen community, or "Warden Messages," can be found on the Embassy's website at http://ankara.usembassy.gov.

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

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

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