Embassy of the United States

Warden Message 05-2009 (April 21, 2009)

To:                   All American Wardens 
From:               Consular Section
Subject:           Warden Notice 2009 – 5

Please circulate the following message without additions or omissions immediately to all American citizens within your area of responsibility.

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The Kuwaiti electorate will return to the polls on May 16, 2009 to elect a new parliament.  In the coming days, expect to see political rallies occurring in the evening hours at locations around Kuwait.  The rallies are typically peaceful events, but vehicle and pedestrian traffic in and around these venues will be highly congested.  Consequently, it would be wise to avoid these areas and never attempt to enter or push through a crowd.  

Residents and visitors should expect to see an increase in Ministry of Interior law enforcement operations aimed at ensuring the integrity of the political process.  These operations will likely entail the use of helicopters to monitor parts of the city. However, the most visible manifestation of this police presence will likely be an increase in traffic checkpoints.  Americans are reminded to cooperate with police and carry their Kuwait Civil Identification or U.S. passport with the visa sheet at all times while in Kuwait. 

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American citizens with any questions or concerns may telephone the Embassy at  2259-1581, 2259-1583 or 2259-1248.  In case of an emergency outside business hours, American citizens may reach the Embassy duty officer by calling 2259-1001.

For the latest security information, Americans should regularly monitor the Department's web site at http://travel.state.gov, 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 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.)

This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov  American citizens in Kuwait who would like to receive future Warden Messages from the Embassy directly by e-mail may sign up for this service by sending an e-mail to the following address: join-wardenmessagekuwait@mh.databack.com  

American citizens resident and visiting in Kuwait who are not registered with the Embassy, or whose registration information has changed, are urged to register as soon as possible.  They may now do so on-line at the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registration/registration_1186.html 

Please note that the Consular Section is closed for American and most local holidays.  The current list of holiday schedule for the year 2009, may be viewed via the link below:  http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html