Cablegate: Travel Warning - Georgia

VZCZCXRO7228
OO RUEHAG RUEHAO RUEHAP RUEHAT RUEHBC RUEHBI RUEHBL RUEHBZ RUEHCD
RUEHCHI RUEHCI RUEHCN RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHDF RUEHDT RUEHDU RUEHED RUEHEL
RUEHFK RUEHFL RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHGH RUEHGI RUEHGR RUEHHA RUEHHM RUEHHO
RUEHHT RUEHIHL RUEHIK RUEHJO RUEHJS RUEHKN RUEHKR RUEHKSO RUEHKUK
RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHMA RUEHMC RUEHMJ RUEHMR RUEHMRE
RUEHMT RUEHNAG RUEHNG RUEHNH RUEHNL RUEHNP RUEHNZ RUEHPA RUEHPB RUEHPD
RUEHPOD RUEHPT RUEHPW RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRN RUEHROV RUEHRS
RUEHTM RUEHTRO RUEHVC RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHC #0996/01 2362053
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 232047Z AUG 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA IMMEDIATE 6920
RUCPDOC/ALL USDOC DISTDIR COLLECTIVE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMCSUU/CDRAMC FT BELVOIR VA//AMCMI-SS// IMMEDIATE
RUEAHQA/HQ USAF WASHINGTON DC//XOXXI// IMMEDIATE
RHMCSUU/HQ AFOSI DOQ ANDREWS AFB MD//IVOA// IMMEDIATE
RHMCSUU/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC//ACI-400// IMMEDIATE
RHMCSUU/COMNAVAIRSYSCOM PATUXENT RIVER MD//AIR1031B// IMMEDIATE
RHMFIUU/NRC WASHINGTON DC//INFOSEC// IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ2-JIT// IMMEDIATE
RUCPCIM/CIM NTDB WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMCSUU/COGARD INTELCOORDCEN WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 2449

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 090996

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER OTRA ASEC GG RS
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - GEORGIA

1. This Travel Warning updates information on the
current security situation in Georgia to include the
return of U.S. Embassy eligible family members to
Tbilisi, the resumption of visa services, and the status
of roads within the country. This Travel Warning
supersedes the Travel Warning for Georgia issued August
12, 2008. The Department of State authorized the return
of U.S. Embassy eligible family members to Tbilisi on
August 23, 2008. However, since Russian troops remain in
some parts of the country near Poti, Zugidi and Senaki
as well as in the conflict zones, Embassy staff and
family members will travel outside of Tbilisi only with
the concurrence of the Regional Security Officer. The
Department of State urges U.S. citizens in Georgia to
exercise caution while traveling.
2. American citizens currently in Georgia are urged to
continue to review their personal security situations to
take appropriate action to ensure their safety. Given
the recent upheaval in Georgia, American citizens should
take precautions in case of an increase in violent
crime. Private American citizens are encouraged to
follow the precautions detailed below and to remain in
close communication with the American Embassy in Tbilisi
for more detailed information.
3. On August 10, 11, and 14 three Embassy-coordinated
convoys departed Georgia for Armenia. There are no
additional convoys currently scheduled at this time.
The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy suspended visa
processing, but will resume visa services on August 27.
The Peace Corps temporarily relocated trainees and
volunteers to Armenia on August 11, however, the Peace
Corps office in Tbilisi remains open for business.
4. American citizens in Georgia are advised to register
with the Department of State on-line at
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs or in person
at U.S. Embassy Tbilisi so that they can obtain updated
information on travel and security. Travel in some
parts of western Georgia remains unpredictable.
5. American citizens should monitor the U.S. Embassy
website http://georgia.usembassy.gov and stay in contact
with family and friends in the United States. American
citizens in Tbilisi may also tune in to Radio Syndicati
at FM 104.3 or throughout Georgia at Radio Green Wave at
FM 107.4 for updated U.S. Embassy warden message
information.
6. Family members and friends unable to verify the
safety and welfare of U.S. citizens in the affected area
should call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United
States and Canada, or from other areas via a regular
toll line at 1-202-501-4444. U.S. citizens in the area
are urged to monitor the local news. Those residing or
traveling in Georgia are reminded to register with the
U.S. Embassy either online at
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs or in person
at U.S. Embassy Tbilisi so that they can obtain updated
information on travel and security. By registering,
American citizens make it easier for the embassy to
contact them in case of emergency.
7. The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi is located at 11 George
Balanchine Street (in Didi Dighomi), Tbilisi 0131,
Georgia, tel: 995-32-27-70-00. The after-hours
emergency number is 995-99-57-39-69, or, if dialing
locally on a mobile telephone, 899-57-39-69.
8. For the latest security information, Americans
living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the
Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs internet web
site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current
Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings,
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 United States, or for callers outside
the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-

STATE 00090996 002 OF 002

202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00
a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through
Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
9. Minimize considered.
RICE

© Scoop Media