Warden Information

Embassy Ankara Warden Message 01

Ankara, Turkey January 28, 2005

On January 26, 2005 the State Department released a Public Announcement concerning elections in Iraq. Voting will also take place outside Iraq, including in Turkey, January 28, 29 and 30. There is one voting location in Ankara (Anittepe Lisesi Cankaya, Genclik Caddesi ,Sokak 5,Anittepe) and two voting locations in Istanbul (Orucgazi Ilkogretim Okulu, Ataturk Bulvari No: 5, Fatih and Istanbul Ilkogretim Okulu,Selahattin Pinar Caddesi, Mecidiyekoy, Sisli). While we have no specific threat information for Turkey the Embassy recommends that you continue to be alert and avoid large crowds, including around election locations.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to heightened security concerns during the upcoming elections in Iraq. In an effort to undermine Iraq's ability to conduct free and fair elections, insurgents and terrorists are likely to increase attacks -- including use of vehicular or other improvised explosive devices (ied's) and kidnapping -- and acts of intimidation against all elements associated with the election process (monitors, government officials, candidates and voters) as well as against U.S. citizens. The security threat to all American citizens in Iraq remains critical. This Public Announcement supplements the Travel Warning for Iraq and expires on February 3, 2005.

The Department of State continues to strongly warn U.S. citizens against travel to Iraq and reminds all U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in Iraq despite the Travel Warning or Public Announcement to pay close attention to their personal security, exercise caution, maintain a low profile, avoid public areas, and follow the Iraqi Interim Government's restrictions on movement by vehicle and curfew times during this critical period. January 29-31, 2005, have been declared public holidays in Iraq and it is likely that curfew hours will be lengthened and movements restricted throughout Iraq. Baghdad's commercial international airport will be closed January 29-30. International borders will also be closed. Access to the International Zone will be severely limited and possibly denied during the period January 26 through February 1.

American citizens may obtain the latest security information or other information about Iraq by calling the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, located in the International Zone, at 1-240-553-0584, ext. 5340, 5635, 5997 or 5489, or by  e-mail at usconsulbaghdad@state.gov, or via the U.S. Embassy's website: http://iraq.usembassy.gov/. The after-hours emergency number is 1-914-822-5493, or (Iraqna mobile phone system) 07901-732-134.

The United States Embassy's ability to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Iraq is limited. U.S. citizens contemplating travel to Iraq should consult the Travel Warning and Consular Information Sheet for Iraq, Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, all of which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affiars Internet website at http://travel.state.gov/. U.S. citizens should also register their trip at the Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov/. American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, and 317-472-2328 from overseas. 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 U.S. Consulate in Izmir can be reached at (90)(232) 464-8755.