USGov: Warden Notice 8 October 2008 Increased Security Around Dili

WARDEN MESSAGE

THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES IS TRANSMITTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION THROUGH THE EMBASSY WARDEN SYSTEM AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO AMERICAN CITIZENS IN TIMOR-LESTE. PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD. THANK YOU.

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Increased Security Around Dili

1) The Government Palace is increasing security. Photo ID will be required, and new vehicle entry restrictions are in effect.

2) The police have informed us that they are setting up checkpoints around town. Below is a list of checkpoint locations. Planned hours of operation are 2000-2200 hours and 0200-0500 hours, including roving patrols as well as static checkpoints. Contacts in the national police inform us that these checkpoints will be active over the next few weeks and applied periodically thereafter.

Checkpoint Locations:

1. Pantai Kelapa intersection (in front of the Indonesian food restaurant)

2. Residence of the American Embassy (Management Officer): At Bidau Santana intersection

3. City Café Restaurant: location at ANZ intersection

4. Government Palace location at old Post office

5. Audian in front of TOP ONE (Residence of the Secretary of State for security)

6. Aitarak Laran intersection (in front of the Pertamina, Micro Finance office)

7. Kolmera intersection (Road to Hotel Timor and Government Palace)

The police are mainly checking for the following items:

--Illegal and/or traditional weapons

--Proper Vehicles/Motorcycles documents

--Special focus on vehicles that use DH plate numbers/Jakarta plate numbers

We strongly advise American citizens and their dependents to maintain at all times identity documents identifying them as American citizens or their dependents. We also recommend that you store photocopies of your passport’s information (photo) page and Timor-Leste visa separate from your passport.

We further advise American citizens and their dependents to cooperate with authorities in the event they come across a military or police checkpoint. Please be aware of your surroundings.

The U.S. Embassy will provide American citizens with further reports. For emergency contact, you may reach Consular Officer Roberto Quiroz at 723-1328. Embassy Switchboard is 332-4684. To reach an American staff member, please dial extension 2083, 2056, or 2171.

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The U.S. Embassy in Dili, East Timor
Pantai Kelapa
Dili, East Timor
Tel: 670 332-4684 Fax: 670 331-3206
Email: ConsDili@state.gov
24 hour emergency number: (670) 723-0949

Americans in East Timor should immediately register at the Embassy and obtain all recent messages sent to the American community in East Timor. U.S. citizens living in or traveling to East Timor can also register through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov.

Image: United States Embassy in Dili, East Timor