Warden Messages
Further Embassy Staff Reductions
26 June 2005
Due to the volatile security situation in Port au Prince, the U.S. Embassy has further reduced its non-emergency personnel and all family members of U.S. personnel. The United States Embassy will be closed on Monday, June 27, 2005 in observance of a local holiday. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy will open on Tuesday, June 28, with full services to U.S. citizens but only emergency visa services. The ability to provide services may be restricted or non-existent in many parts of Port-au-Prince and some parts of the country.
The Department of State and U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince urges U.S. citizens here to depart the country if they can do so safely.
Citizens are reminded of the potential for spontaneous demonstrations and violent confrontations between armed groups; the presence of intermittent roadblocks set by armed gangs or by the police; and the possibility of random violent crime, including murder, kidnapping, car-jacking, and assault.
Visitors and residents must remain vigilant due to the absence of an effective security force in much of Haiti.
Additionally, US Citizens are reminded that the following areas remain off-limits to US Embassy personnel - Bel Air, Cite Soleil, Cite Militaire, Carrefour, and the American Road.
Embassy personnel are subject to a curfew, the hours of which may vary according to changing security conditions. US Citizens should note that the curfew may impact our ability to respond to emergencies.
As unrest continues, it is important for U.S. citizens to assess their personal security situation and decide whether to depart Haiti. Please share this information with members of the U.S. citizen community.
Ordered departure status of an Embassy signals that the US Government is concerned for the safety of its employees and should be considered a strong signal to private U.S. citizens.
The Department of State continues to monitor security conditions and will promptly disseminate information affecting the safety of Americans abroad through its consular information program. These documents are available on the Department's Internet website at http://travel.state.gov
In case of an emergency, please contact the Embassy at 222-0200 or the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy located at 104, rue Oswald Durand, Port-au-Prince. The telephone numbers are (509) 223-7011, 223-6440, 223-6443, 223-6421, 223-6426, 223-6424, 223-6407, 223-7008; fax (509) 223-9665; email address acspap@state.gov.