Embassy of the United States of America
Yerevan, Armenia

June 20, 2008

Embassy Yerevan Warden Message 11

Warden Message
U.S. Embassy Yerevan
June 20, 2008

POLITICAL DEMONSTRATION FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2008

IN DOWNTOWN YEREVAN

This Warden Message is being sent to alert U.S. citizens that opposition political activists are calling for a political rally on Friday, June 20, 2008, starting at 6:00 p.m. at Freedom Square (also known as Opera Square) in downtown Yerevan. Government authorities have not granted permission for the demonstration, which conflicts with a children´s festival scheduled for the same location. The protest has the potential to attract large crowds, and could spill over into other downtown areas. Given the unpredictability of this situation, U.S. Embassy Yerevan is recommending all Mission personnel stay indoors on Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. and avoid the downtown Yerevan area. Non-mission personnel are encouraged to take similar precautions.

We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid any areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Information on upcoming demonstrations can be found at the following web site: http://yerevan.usembassy.gov/consular/acs_warden.php.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department´s Bureau of Consular Affairs web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, Country Specific Information, and health information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. 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).

Citizens traveling and residing in Armenia are advised to register their presence in the country through the U.S. Department of State's automated online registration system, https://travelregistration.state.gov.

The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan is located at 1 American Avenue (just off of Admiral Isakov Avenue on the road to the airport), Yerevan 0082, Armenia, Tel: 374-10 46-47-00, fax: (+374 10) 46-47-42, http://www.usa.am. American Citizens may visit the consular section without an appointment from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, any business day. In an after-hours emergency, the telephone operator may connect you to the duty officer, as needed.