PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO
AS MANY AMERICAN CITIZENS AS POSSIBLE

United States Embassy Mexico
Paseo de la Reforma # 305
Colonia Cuauhtemoc
Mexico, D.F.



C o n s u l a r C o r n e r
News in Brief
AUGUST- SEPTEMBER 2006


Recent Messages to the American Community

Please visit the U.S. Embassy’s website to read the most recent messages to the American community. The link in English is: http://mexico.usembassy.gov/mexico/citizen_services.html

2006 Elections are Coming - Responsibility has no Borders: Vote!!!……..

Oklahoma To Hold Congressional Runoff Election on August 22, 2006

The State of Oklahoma will hold the following federal runoff elections on August 22, 2006:

Republican Party, 5th Congressional District
• Mick Cornett and Mary Fallin


Uniformed service members, their family members, and overseas citizens who have not yet received their requested state absentee ballot may use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (Standard Form 186) (FWAB) to vote for candidates for Federal, state, and local offices for the August 22, 2006 runoff election. All ballots must be returned to the local election official by 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on Tuesday, September 5, 2006. The FWAB is available from unit Voting Assistance Officers (VAO), at embassies or consulates, and is also available from the FVAP website at http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/ofwab.pdf.

You may submit the voted ballot by fax using the following toll-free fax numbers for the U.S. and Canada: 1-800-368-8683, (703) 693-5527 or DSN 223-5527 (military). Also, at http://www.fvap.gov/services/faxing.html, there is a list of toll-free fax numbers from overseas countries for use by U.S. citizens. Citizens may receive the blank ballot via fax and return the voted ballot by fax. Voters should be aware that by faxing the ballot they are waiving the right to secrecy of their vote for this election and must sign a waiver that will be included in the faxed ballot materials. A voter returning the voted ballot by fax which was either received by mail or by fax should refer to Appendix B of the 2006-2007 Voting Assistance Guide (located at http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/vag/pdfvag/appendix_b.pdf) for instructions and a cover sheet (which includes a secrecy waiver) for use when transmitting the voted ballot by fax. Voters should be sure to fax the entire ballot including any oath or signature required on the ballot-mailing envelope. See below for FVAP toll-free fax numbers. Additionally, voters in the above category may scan the voted state ballot or the voted FWAB with the completed Voter Declaration/ Affirmation, and e-mail them to ets@fvap.ncr.gov. All faxed or emailed ballots must be received by 7:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on Tuesday, August 22, 2006.

VAOs should contact those citizens they assist who are Oklahoma voters and inform them of this news release and provide help to them in returning their absentee ballot.

The FVAP can be contacted through the DoD Voting Information Center (VIC). Citizens may reach the VIC toll-free from 67 countries using the toll-free numbers listed on the FVAP website, www.fvap.gov. The VIC provides recorded messages from candidates, as well as other information concerning elections, 24 hours a day.

Questions regarding the above may also be referred to the Director, Federal Voting Assistance Program, Department of Defense, 1155 Defense Pentagon, mailto:vote@fvap.ncr.gov and on the World Wide Web at www.fvap.gov.


Embassy’s Passport and Citizenship Unit Hours of Operation …….

U.S. passport and notarial services are available Mondays to Fridays (except administrative days and U.S. and Mexican official holidays) in Room 106 at the U.S. Embassy located near the Independence Plaza (Statue of the Angel) in the center of Mexico City. Office hours are 8:30 to 10:30 am. Visitors arriving at the Embassy’s front entrance no later than 10:30am will be seen the same day. No appointment is necessary except for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad of U.S. Citizens. Please see the following link for additional details: http://mexico.usembassy.gov/mexico/eacs_birth_abroad.html.

NOTE: Please be advised that the Embassy’s Passport and Citizenship Office is closed to the public on the last business day of every month for administrative reasons; Thursday, August 31st, and Friday, September 29th. Contact the Embassy at 01(55) 5080-2000 x 4713 with emergency requests.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative……
All travelers, including U.S. citizens, to and from the Americas, the Caribbean and Bermuda will soon be required to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States.

The initiative will be implemented in phases. The proposed timeline is as follows:

• December 31, 2006: Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

• December 31, 2007: Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.

For more information on the initiative and how it may affect you, please visit the State Department’s consular website http://www.travel.state.gov or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website http://www.dhs.gov.

Upcoming Holidays August and September 2006 and beyond……
The U.S. Embassy, Consulates and Consular Agencies throughout Mexico will be closed for business on the following days:

Monday, September 4th Labor Day
Monday, October 9th Columbus Day
Thursday, November 2nd All Souls’ Day



INFORMATION FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY……..

Michoacan Earthquake Felt Throughout the Region

Maybe you were among the many area residents and visitors who felt the earth move on Friday, August 11, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. The Embassy received no reports of damage or injury to American citizens. To monitor earthquake activity worldwide, please visit: www.earthquake.usgs.gov You can report your experience here: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/eqinthenews/2006/usrgaw/#maps

Now is a good time to review your family’s emergency action plan. Do you know the plan for your neighborhood? What would you do in the event of a more powerful quake? Where would your family members gather? Waiting until the emergency is upon you is too late to answer these questions. For more information, visit: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html. In addition, remember that it is Hurricane Season. Last year brought us the devastation of Hurricanes Stan and Wilma in Mexico and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the U.S.

To learn more, visit: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/hurricane_season/hurricane_season_2915.html


Do you have questions about Avian Influenza????

For information about the possible global flu pandemic known as avian influenza, more commonly referred to as the “bird flu,” please see the State Department Fact Sheet on Avian Flu at:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.html. For Frequently Asked Questions about it, go to http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_2747.html.

The Department of State emphasizes that, in the event of a pandemic, its ability to assist Americans traveling and residing abroad may be severely limited due to restrictions on local and international movement imposed for public health reasons. Furthermore, American citizens should note that the Department of State does not provide Americans traveling or living abroad with medications, including in the event of a pandemic.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has also created a website to help people plan for a possible pandemic influenza outbreak. Please refer to: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tab3.html.

Check before you go!!!

Have you looked at your documents lately?…. As you make your plans to travel, check your passport or other travel document to ensure:

• That it has not expired, or

• That you have it in a safe place and will not forget to take it with you!

• Also, it is always a good idea to leave your itinerary with a family member or friend.

Have you updated your registration with the Embassy?….Travel registration is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. You can register on line at https://travelregistration/state.gov/ibrs/home.asp


Threat Level for the Aviation Sector Increases! This Affects You!

In response to a serious terrorist threat to international aviation security, the Secretary of Homeland Security has elevated the Homeland Security Advisory System Threat Condition to High, or Orange, for all commercial flights from the United Kingdom to the United States, and to High, or Orange, for all other international flights and all domestic commercial aviation.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is also taking a number of heightened protective measures to ensure the continued safety and security of our international and domestic air travel.

Protecting the Aviation System.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be implementing a series of security measures – some visible and some not visible – to ensure the security of the traveling public and the Nation's transportation system. TSA is immediately implementing following changes to airport screening procedures:

NO LIQUIDS OR GELS OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED IN CARRY-ON BAGGAGE. ITEMS MUST BE IN CHECKED BAGGAGE. This includes all beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, tooth paste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency.

Exception: Baby formula and breast milk if a baby or small child is traveling; prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket; and insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines.

• Beverages purchased in the sterile area must be consumed before boarding because they will not be permitted onboard the aircraft.

• Passengers traveling from the U.K. to the U.S. will be subject to a more extensive screening process.

Some measures will not be visible to the public. In light of the elevated threat level, the Federal Air Marshals Service (FAMS) will provide expanded mission coverage for flights from the United Kingdom to the United States.

These measures will be constantly evaluated and updated when circumstances warrant. DHS and its components have coordinated closely with the air carrier industry, airports, and state and local stakeholders to implement these significant, but necessary, security measures. The traveling public can assist these agencies in carrying out their important security duties by:

• Packing lightly, without clutter to facilitate easier screening.
• Check with your air carrier well before your flight departs for information on when you should arrive at the airport.
• Cooperating with TSA personnel at all checkpoints and gates because TSA Security Officers will be checking carry-on baggage at the gate.
• Being attentive and vigilant to any suspicious activity.
Protecting U.S.Borders. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will increase enforcement efforts in international arrival areas including the use of advanced targeting tools, special response teams including baggage and aircraft search teams, baggage x-ray equipment, specially-trained canine units, and explosive detection technology.

Social Security Administration………….

The Social Security Administration has an office in the Embassy. They are open to the public Monday thru Friday, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. You can also contact them by email at FBU.Mexico.City@ssa.gov .

Urgent San Antonio del Mar meeting

An emergency meeting of the colonos in San Antonio del Mar will be held in the park at 10 AM, Sunday. IMHO it is urgent that all homeowners and residents attend.

The notice appears at the community website at URL: http://www.mysadm.com/

Regards,

Pat Mullen


Una reunión de la emergencia de los colonos en San Antonio del Mar será celebrada en el parque en 10, domingo. En mi opinión humilde, es urgente que todos los propietarios y los residentes asistan.

El aviso aparece en el sitio Web de comunidad en URL: http: // www.mysadm.com/

Attme.

Pat Mullen