Embassy of the United States

Warden message

Posted August 13, 2009

Warden Message - Demonstrations in Copenhagen and Aarhus

On Thursday, August 13, 2009 at approximately 0100 hours, the Danish police removed 60 Iraqi asylum seekers from a church located in the Noerrebro neighborhood of Copenhagen.  The Iraqis moved into the church in May 2009 when their asylum cases were denied by the Danes.  Supporters of the Iraqis, to include anarchist elements, confronted the police.  The police used pepper spray, tear gas, police dogs, and batons to quell the violence.

Noerrebro is one of the troubled neighborhoods in Copenhagen.  Any major police action usually sparks demonstrations and violence.  The most recent major examples of this were the spring 2007 riots concerning the closure of an anarchist “youth house” and the February 2008 riots concerning the drug charge related arrest of a Muslim man.

Demonstrations are planned for later today in Copenhagen and Aarhus.  The Regional Security Office of the U.S. Embassy is recommending that Embassy staff avoid the Noerrebro neighborhood until further notice.

We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.  American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

As the Department of State continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. 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. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources 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 in other areas by calling 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).

Posted May 5, 2009

Greetings to All:

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 Influenza, previously referred to as swine flu.  The Danish National Board of Health has reported one laboratory-confirmed case of H1N1 Influenza in this country.  This involves a Danish citizen who traveled on April 29 from New York; this person has been treated by medical personnel and is currently recovering at home in isolation.  Although there have been other cases reported in European countries, at this time there are no reported deaths from H1N1 Influenza in Europe.

If coming from areas with confirmed cases of the flu, and symptoms (coughing, fever, diarrhea, aching joints) occur, local authorities have advised the public to call their doctor and to explain that they could have been exposed to the H1N1 Influenza.  The doctor will test that person to confirm if he is positive for H1N1 flu.  Everyone should pay particular attention to careful hand-washing and to avoiding contact with those with possible flu symptoms.

The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens that most cases of influenza are not the 2009-H1N1 Influenza.  Any questions or concerns about influenza or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional.  Although the Embassy cannot provide medical advice or provide medical services to the public,we do provide a list of doctors.

For further information about 2009-H1N1 Influenza, including steps you can take to stay healthy, please consult the Department of State website , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control website at, the U.S. Government pandemic influenza website, and the World Health Organization website .  For additional travel safety information, please consult the State Department's travel website.

U.S. citizens may also call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in the United States for the latest travel information.  The Office of Overseas Citizens Services can be reached from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, by calling 1-888-407-4747 from within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling (202) 501-4444 from other countries.

Americans living or traveling in Denmark are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website, so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Denmark.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.  The U.S. Embassy is located at Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 24, 2100 Copenhagen;  opening hours for U.S. citizens in an emergency situation are 8:30 to 5:00 weekdays or call 33 41 71 00.  After hours and on weekends, a duty officer responds to emergency calls only and may be reached through 35 55 92 70.

Posted March 12, 2009

To American Citizens: