TRAVEL WARNING AND DEPARTURE RECOMMENDATION

The FINANCIAL
13/08/2008 12:55 (03:07 minutes ago)
Georgia

The FINANCIAL — "The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer
non-essential travel to Georgia and recommends that all U.S. citizens
depart Georgia," U.S. Embassy announces.

"To facilitate this process the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan is organizing a
third land convoy to Yerevan, Armenia. This convoy will depart Tbilisi
at 12:00 pm (noon) on Wednesday, August 13. U.S. citizens and legal
permanent residents, as well as their spouses and minor children, may
register to travel in the convoy. Minor children who are U.S. citizens
or legal permanent residents may bring one non-U.S. citizen adult
with them on the bus. Those persons interested in participating in the
convoy, including those driving their own vehicles, should come to the
consular section at the U.S. Embassy as soon as possible to sign up.

The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi has also been informed that as of the
morning of August 13, the Government of Azerbaijan will have a consular
officer available at the Red Bridge border crossing between Georgia
and Azerbaijan to issue Azeri entrance visas. Americans interested
in traveling to Azerbaijan may wish to pursue this route; however,
there will not be an official convoy crossing into Azerbaijan at this
time. American citizens should stay current with media coverage of
local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Updated
information on Information on upcoming demonstrations can be found
on the Embassy website."