20th Anniversary Security Warning

Date : August 06, 2008

Embassy of the United States of America
Rangoon, Burma
110 University Ave.
Kamayut Township
Rangoon

Tel:  (95-1) 536-509

Email: ConsularRangoo@state.gov
Website: http://burma.usembassy.gov

This warden message is to alert U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Burma that the Burmese authorities are likely to increase security throughout Burma, including in Rangoon, on August 8, 2008, the 20th anniversary of the 1988 popular uprising against the Burmese government.  As in the past, security forces may be on the alert for public gatherings at places of detention or imprisonment, monasteries, pagodas, political party offices, government offices, and in the Rangoon downtown area. The Burmese Government has a standing ban on all gatherings of more than five people.

American citizens in Burma should be aware that gatherings, demonstrations, or processions intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence with little or no warning, as occurred in the fall of 2007. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid these events if possible, and to exercise caution in their vicinity.  U.S. citizens are urged to exercise discretion when moving about and to avoid any visible military presence and any area cordoned off by security forces.  The Embassy also advises U.S. citizens not to photograph or film the military and/or police activities because doing so could be interpreted as provocative. 

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Cautions, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found.  Security information 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 Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Burma are encouraged to register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy.  Registration can be done on-line through the State Department’s travel registration website https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs, or via the Embassy’s website http://burma.usembassy.gov.  The Embassy is located at 110 University Ave, Kamayut Township, Rangoon.  The Embassy's phone numbers are (95-1) 536-509, 536-756, and 538-038.  The Consular Section’s extension is 4240, and email address is consularrangoo@state.gov.  The Embassy’s after-hours emergency numbers are the same as above, all followed by extension 4014.  The after-hours mobile phone number is 09-512-4330 (calling inside Burma) or 95-9-512-4330 (calling outside Burma).  The Embassy’s hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday (except U.S. federal and Burmese holidays).