Germany Warden Message - March 30, 2009

Nato Summit

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens in Germany to the upcoming North Atlantic Treaty Alliance Summit in Strasbourg, France and Baden-Baden and Kehl, Germany on April 3 and 4, 2009.   As a result of the Summit, there will be interruptions in transportation routes and a high possibility of large and disruptive protests.  Hotel accommodations will be difficult if not impossible to secure.

The 60th NATO Heads of Government Summit and summit-related activities will take place in Strasbourg, France as well as Baden-Baden and Kehl, Germany on April 3 and 4, 2009.  Heads of government, foreign ministers, and corresponding delegations representing 26 NATO member states and 24 Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council states with over 3,500 foreign government officials and 3,000 journalists will be in attendance. 

Travelers in the region should anticipate significantly enhanced security measures, including the restoration of border controls and associated passport checks between Germany and France from now until at least April 5th.  Major traffic delays are expected.  Moreover, there may be large, disruptive demonstrations in which activists seek to target the NATO venues and/or the routes traveled by VIPs attending the events.  This may result in road blocks on major thoroughfares throughout the region.  Consequently, all travelers planning to transit the region should give serious consideration to using alternate routes and non-essential travel to Strasbourg, Baden-Baden, and Kehl should be deferred until after the summit.   

Numerous anti-NATO, anti-globalization, anti-military activist groups have announced their intentions to hold demonstrations during the week leading up to the summit and continuing on for several days after it ends.  In the Strasbourg area alone, up to 15,000 protesters are expected.  The areas surrounding Baden-Baden and Kehl may also be similarly affected, albeit with smaller groups of protestors.  We remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possible escalate into violence, particularly when such large numbers of protestors are expected.  During similar events previously held in the region, some large demonstrations turned violent when demonstrators deliberately clashed with security authorities.   American citizens are therefore urged to avoid demonstrations and to exercise extreme caution if within the vicinity of one.  American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

U.S. citizens in Germany are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department?s travel registration web site, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Germany.  Americans without internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consular Section (please see contact information below).  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State?s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, Worldwide Caution, and Country Specific Information for Germany 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. and Canada 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).

U.S. Consular Sections in Germany are located in:

Berlin
Clayallee 170
Tel: (49) (30)832-9233
Fax: (49) (30) 8305-1215
email: ACSBerlin@state.gov

Frankfurt
Giessner Str. 30
Tel: (49) (69) 7535-0
Fax: (49) (69) 7535-2304
email:  GermanyACS@state.gov

Munich
Koenigstrasse 5
Tel: (49) (89) 2888-0
Fax: (49) (89) 280-9998
e-mail: ConsMunich@state.gov

U.S. Consular Sections in France are located in:

Paris
4, Avenue Gabriel
75008 Paris
Tel: (33) 01 43 12 22 22
Fax: (33) 01 42 96 28 39
email: citizeninfo@state.gov

Strasbourg
15, avenue d'Alsace
67082 Strasbourg
Tel: (33) 03 88 35 31 04
Fax: (33) 03 88 24 06 95

Marseille
Place Varian Fry
13006 Marseille
Tel: (33) 04 91 54 92 00
Fax: (33) 04 91 55 56 95
e-mail: citizeninformarseille@state.gov