Warden Message - Urgent - Reports of Violence in Tashkent and Andijan(05/13/2005)
THE FOLLOWING IS A MESSAGE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE CONSULAR WARDEN SYSTEM OF THE AMERICAN EMBASSY IN TASHKENT.
Embassy Tashkent has confirmed that a suicide bomber was shot outside of the Israeli Embassy this morning (May 13).
The U.S. Government has received reports of gunfire and possible explosions in the city of Andijan. BBC is reporting that a group of armed men took over the prison and released prisoners. American citizens are urged to stay off the streets. The Embassy has also confirmed that at least one of the Uzbek-Kazakh border crossings north of Tashkent has been closed. Travelers should avoid traveling to Andijan at this time.
For the latest security information, Americans living or traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Public Announcement for Uzbekistan, the Central Asia Regional Public Announcement, and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement can be found. American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States or Canada, and 202-501-4444 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).
U.S. citizens are urged to register and update their contact information at the U.S. embassy in Tashkent. The U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan is located at 82 Chilanzarskaya St., Tashkent, Uzbekistan 700115. The telephone number is 998-71-120-5450. The fax number is 998-71-120-6335, and website is www.usembassy.uz/consular.
Uzbek official says man killed at Israeli carried only mock-ups of explosives
An Uzbek police official said Friday that a man killed by guards at the Israeli Embassy was carrying only mock-ups of explosives.
The man who was shot to death earlier had been described as a would-be suicide bomber, but the police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the man was carrying only wooden objects that appeared to be explosives.