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Note: The following text is an exact quote:
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http://travel.state.gov./travel/ukraine_announce.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

This information is current as of today, Wed Dec 08 2004 03:15:17 GMT-0800.

UKRAINE

December 7, 2004

This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to the potential for continued civil unrest and disturbances, with resultant traffic and other disruptions in Ukraine, in the lead-up to a new round of presidential elections scheduled for December 26. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement issued November 24, 2004, and expires January 6, 2005.

The American Embassy in Kiev urges American citizens resident in Ukraine to continue to remain alert to the possibility of election-related rallies, demonstrations, and disturbances in the aftermath of the invalidated November 21 presidential election results, and in the run-up to the re-vote scheduled for Sunday, December 26, 2004. While most transportation services have been restored, large numbers of demonstrators continue to hold rallies on main Kiev streets, which remain closed to traffic. The presence of police combined with expectations of counterdemonstrations make the potential for localized disorder a possibility.

The Department reminds 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 affected by demonstrations and political rallies and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. Citizens are also urged to assess the impact these demonstrations might have on personal circumstances related to traffic and transportation.

On November 30, 2004, the National Bank of Ukraine introduced limits to certain cash operations until the end of calendar year 2004. These include: a 1500 hryvnya (approximately $280) limit on cash withdrawals from ATM machines per day; a $1000 limit of a one time sale of dollars to a private person from a currency exchange booth. Besides these limits, most banks are allowing ATM withdrawals only for their own customers and several banks have imposed more stringent limits on withdrawal amounts. Travelers may have trouble using ATM cards or credit cards to get cash in Ukraine. The Embassy urges American citizens to plan their finances accordingly. Current regulations of the National Bank can be found on the following English-language website: http://www.bank.gov.ua/Engl/default.htm. General currency import/export regulations are available on the Ukrainian Customs website (available in English) at http://www.customs.gov.ua/ or at the Boryspil airport website (also available in English) at http://www.airport-borispol.kiev.ua.

The U.S. Embassy in Kiev will continue to monitor developments and will, as appropriate, provide periodic updates on the situation on its website. Americans traveling to Ukraine are strongly urged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Kiev or through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Ukraine. Please also visit U.S. Embassy Kiev's website at http://usembassy.kiev.ua. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section in Kiev.

The Embassy's Consular Section is located at #6 Mykola Pymonenko St., 01901 Kiev, Ukraine. The telephone number is 38-044-490-4422. The fax number is 38-044-490-4040. American citizens who need to contact the Embassy may do so during working hours by calling the main Embassy telephone number at 38-044-490-4000. The Embassy's duty officer may be reached after hours for emergencies via this same number, or by contacting 38-050-311-1796.
Travelers should consult the Department of State's latest Consular Information Sheet for Ukraine and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement 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).