PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Kyrgyz Republic April 27, 2004 This Public Announcement is being issued to update U.S. citizens on the security situation and remind them that extremist groups such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), a terrorist organization with links to al-Qaida, may be planning terrorist acts targeting Americans or American interests in the Kyrgyz Republic. This supersedes the Public Announcement of October 31, 2003, and expires on October 31, 2004. U.S. citizens are urged to consider their safety and security before traveling to the Kyrgyz Republic. The U.S. Government is aware of increased IMU activity in Central Asia. New tactics, including the use of suicide bombers, have been employed by terrorists in neighboring Uzbekistan. While Uzbek authorities have made some arrests and the investigation into the bombings is ongoing, they believe, however, that some terrorists remain at large and may attempt additional attacks in the future. Americans in the Kyrgyz Republic could be targetted as well. The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek and its personnel continue to observe heightened security precautions, particularly in places where westerners congregate and in public places such as markets and bazaars. Travel by U.S. Government personnel to areas of the Kyrgyz Republic south and west of Osh is currently restricted. This is due to the history of IMU activity in the area and the presence of land mines in the Batken Oblast region and along the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border. The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends against travel to these areas. U.S. citizens are urged to register and update their contact information at the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek. 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://www.usemb-bishkek.rpo.at. 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, 1-317-472-2328. U.S. citizens should consult the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for the Kyrgyz Republic, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, and the Travel Publication A Safe Trip Abroad, all of which are available on the Department’s Internet site at http://travel.state.gov. Return to Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings Page
|
