Turkey [Travel Alert]

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE - Bureau of Consular Affairs ^ | March 19, 2010 | n/a

[Cindy]

Note: The following text SNIPPET is a quote:

Travel Alert

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Bureau of Consular Affairs This information is current as of today, Sat Mar 20 2010 03:32:03 GMT-0700 (PDT).

Turkey

March 19, 2010

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to evolving security concerns in Turkey, and reminds them of the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests. This Travel Alert dated March 19, 2010, expires on April 30, 2010.

U.S. citizens in Turkey should be particularly vigilant in light of the ongoing "Get Out America, This is Our Country" campaign and upcoming significant anniversaries associated with the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C), a designated terrorist organization.

Actions against American and/or Turkish-American cultural and business establishments in Turkey are possible. We remind U.S. citizens to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.

In addition, the U.S. Mission in Turkey alerts American citizens about the upcoming Nevruz holiday (Kurdish New Year) occurring on March 21. Previous protests, some of them violent, have occurred in Turkey on this date and could occur again.

The Department of State encourages U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Turkey to be alert to the potential for demonstrations and to avoid large gatherings. 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. Particular caution should be exercised in places known to be frequented by Americans.

U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad."

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's web site where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States 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). Americans are also encouraged to read the Country Specific Information for Turkey, available on the Embassy's website and on the Department’s website.

U.S. citizens with questions or concerns may contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the Embassy or the Consulates General for further information:

[Cindy]

Note: The full alert is here:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4758.html

[Cindy]

ping

[blackbart.223]

Good advice. As for myself I have no desire to see Turkey and I don’t know why anyone else would.

[ronnie raygun]

Still no alert on Mexico, zero’s to busy with deathcare

[WilliamofCarmichael]

I believe that Turkey, the EU, and our own State Department have declared the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) a terrorist organization.

Members of the group are suspects in the murder of a Turkish businessman.

It's taken years for EU countries to take seriously the threat to Turkey presented by the PKK another group labeled terrorists by our own State Department.

It appears that Turkey must now convince the EU members' courts that the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) really is a terrorist group.

"Belgium and Turkey squared off in another terror-related case in the past, when a Belgian court declined to define the Turkish Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front, or DHKP-C, as a terrorist organisation, despite an EU decision to do so. "

My point: the threat to Americans is coming from a terrorist organization -- like that's never happened anywhere else in the world.

[SunkenCiv]

U.S. citizens in Turkey should be particularly vigilant in light of the ongoing "Get Out America, This is Our Country" campaign and upcoming significant anniversaries associated with the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C), a designated terrorist organization. Actions against American and/or Turkish-American cultural and business establishments in Turkey are possible... In addition, the U.S. Mission in Turkey alerts American citizens about the upcoming Nevruz holiday (Kurdish New Year) occurring on March 21.

Thanks Cindy.