Warden Message- April 6, 2007

This warden message is being issued to inform U.S. citizens of planned opposition demonstrations in the upcoming weeks.  The opposition plans to begin non-stop protests in regional capitals beginning on April 9, 2007, moving to Bishkek on April 11, 2007.  Though the Embassy has no information that the demonstrations will be violent, we remind American Citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American Citizens are therefore urged to avoid areas where demonstrations may occur if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of one.

On April 11, the Embassy is advising its staff and their dependents to avoid the areas of the demonstrations.  This means avoiding downtown Bishkek - Alatoo Square, the Kyrgyz White House, and streets that run through or within a two-block radius of those areas.  If the police have an extended perimeter and cordoned-off areas, the Embassy advises that you do not attempt to enter restricted areas.

U.S. citizens are urged to register and update their contact information through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/. The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek is located at 171 Prospect Mira, 720016 Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. The phone number is 996-312-551-241 and may be used after hours. Fax: 996-312-551-264, and website: http://bishkek.usembassy.gov.

Updated information on travel and security in the Kyrgyz Republic may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada, or from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. U.S. citizens should consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for the Kyrgyz Republic at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_945.html and the Public Announcement for Central Asia at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_2491.html, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement http://travel.state.gov/wwc1.html, and the travel publication "A Safe Trip Abroad" at http://travel.state.gov/asafetripabroad.html.