Warden Message

SMS BLAST TEST

Dear American citizens,

As the embassy advised in the communication sent in February 2009 it is deploying a new emergency advisory system using mass SMS messages. The embassy developed this system in cooperation with T Mobile and similar systems have been used with great success by other embassies around the world.

Embassy Skopje will conduct a test of the new SMS blast system on 16 April, 2009. On that day, if you are enrolled in the system with the embassy, you will receive the following test SMS message:

**ALERT**US EMB**ALERT**
This is a test of the US Emb SMS emergency alert system. Not a real emergency.

If you do not receive this message, and believe that you are enrolled in the system, please contact the consular section at SkopjeACSMailbox@state.gov or by telephone.

If you have not registered with the embassy, or did not provide a cellular telephone number with your registration and wish to be enrolled in the system please contact the consular section at SkopjeACSMailbox@state.gov or register online on the embassy website, http://macedonia.usembassy.gov/register.html.

All future alert messages will always be prefaced by **ALERT**US EMB**ALERT**. The embassy will use the system only in an emergency and will then follow the alert message with a more detailed warden message sent through the normal channels. In the event of an actual emergency, please monitor the embassy website at http://macedonia.usembassy.gov/ for updates.

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 http://www.travel.state.gov/ , 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 http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_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.

Citizens living and residing in Kosovo are advised to register their presence in the country through the U.S. Department of State's automated online registration system, https://travelregistration.state.gov/. U.S. citizens may also contact the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy via e-mail or by calling +381 (38) 5959-3119. This complete message is available on the Embassy’s website at http://pristina.usembassy.gov.  In case of an emergency outside normal business hours, American citizens may reach the Embassy duty officer by calling 044-153-594.