Warden Message- September 7, 2006

Warden Message

September 6, 2006

A female U.S. Airman stationed at Manas Air Base near Bishkek was declared missing at the Tsum Shopping Center in Bishkek on September 5, 2006 between 4:15 PM and 5:15 PM (local time).  She was separated from her tour group from Manas Air Base at the Tsum and has not been located.

Manas Air Base officials are working in close coordination with the U.S. Embassy and local authorities to locate the missing service member as soon as possible.  Anyone with information concerning the missing airman should contact the Embassy security investigator at 720-450 or 551-241 extension 4516. 

While the investigation is underway, the Embassy suggests the following list of precautionary measures that American citizens should follow in public venues:

1. Be aware of your surroundings at all times; pay attention to actions of individuals in close proximity to you.  Is anyone taking any undue interest in you?  If so, remain in well-trafficked areas, near other people.

2. Ensure that you can communicate with friends and family at all times (a cell phone is best), and that you have informed a family member, coworker, or other trusted person (locally) of your intended destination and return time.

3. Should you be delayed in your return, advise those who are expecting you, and keep them informed of your whereabouts.

4. Avoid going out alone, even while shopping with other persons (your group should stay together at all times).  Minimum number in a group should be two people, and you should have more than one cell phone in the group.

If you are threatened by an individual:

1. Keep the individual at a distance from you, so that you can not be physically accosted.

2. Try to get away from the individual, and leave the area.  Move toward areas with other people.

3. Draw attention to yourself by shouting or running away.

4. If threatened with robbery, do not resist.  Throw your wallet or purse at the individual and get away.

5. If you experience trouble immediately contact the Embassy at 551-241.

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, 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, or from overseas, 1-202-501-4444.  U.S. citizens should consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet, the Public Announcement for the Kyrgyz Republic at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1163.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 .