DEMONSTRATIONS IN DOWNTOWN YEREVAN, YEREVAN CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS
US State News
June 22, 2009 Monday 5:25 PM EST
YEREVAN, Armenia, May 27 — The U.S. Embassy issued the following
press release:
This Warden Message alerts American citizens that political opposition
supporters intend to stage a protest rally at the Matenadaran
manuscript museum followed by an unauthorized march in Yerevan on
Friday, May 29 starting around 6:30 pm. The march is expected to start
near the Matenadaran, proceeding through Republic Square and ending on
Northern Avenue, but could spread to other areas downtown. This rally
is associated with the Yerevan City Council elections on Sunday,
May 31, which will be the first time that voters elect the Mayor
of Yerevan.
While the U.S. Embassy does not have specific information about any
planned political rallies and demonstrations on or after Election
Day, past experience has shown that disorder or violence related
to elections can take place before, during or after the holding of
elections. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid polling
stations on Election Day, and any political demonstrations or
marches that may take place in the days leading up to or following
the election. Demonstrations take place in Armenia from time to
time in response to world events or local developments. We remind
American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful
can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence without
warning. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas
of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution when in the
vicinity of any demonstrations. American citizens should stay current
with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings
at all times. Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor
the U.S. Embassy’s website, and the U.S. Department of State’s
Bureau of Consular Affairs website, ,
where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts,
and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also
encourages U.S. citizens to review to "A Safe Trip Abroad," found
at 1747.html
, which includes valuable security information for those both
living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the
Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security
conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and
Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at
1-202-501-4444. The U.S. Embassy in Yerevan is located at 1 American
Avenue, tel. 10-46-47-00 and fax 10-46-47-42. The Consular Section is
open from 9:00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m., with time reserved for American
citizen services from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except for official U.S. Embassy holidays. For more information,
see the Embassy’s website at http://yerevan.usembassy.govFor
more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:-
[email protected]