Turkmenistan - Public Announcement
March 15, 2002

This Public Announcement is being issued to remind U.S. citizens of the continuing concerns about the safety and security of Americans in Turkmenistan raised by ongoing military operations in neighboring Afghanistan.  This Public Announcement augments and extends the Public Announcement of November 19, 2001, and it expires on June 14, 2002.

U.S. citizens should carefully evaluate travel to Turkmenistan at this time. The situation in Turkmenistan is currently calm and the Government of Turkmenistan has taken steps to increase security throughout the country.
However, ongoing events in the region require that all Americans in, or traveling through, Turkmenistan closely consider the implications for their security and safety.  The terrorist attacks in the United States and the
proximity of Turkmenistan to Afghanistan raise continued concerns. Afghanistan is the site of ongoing military operations against the remnants of the former Taliban regime and the terrorist al-Qaida network.

American citizens in Turkmenistan are urged to review their personal security situations and to take those measures they deem appropriate to ensure their well being.  U.S. citizens are encouraged to register and obtain updated security information at the U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat.  Emergency services to American citizens are available 24 hours a day. U.S. Government facilities may from time to time temporarily close or suspend public services as necessary to review their security posture and ensure its adequacy.  The Embassy is located at 9 Pushkin Street, off Magtymguly Street.  The telephone number is 993-12-35-00-45, and the fax number is 993-12-51-13-05.

Americans traveling and residing abroad should monitor closely the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, particularly the Department of State Worldwide Caution and the Consular Information Sheet for Turkmenistan.

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See http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html for
State Department Travel Warnings
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