US happy with Turkey cooperation after embassy attack

ANKARA

The DHKP/C claimed responsibility for the attack at US Embassy in Ankara on Feb.1. AA photo/Murat KAYNAK

U.S. State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said in a meeting on Feb. 4 that the U.S. had outstanding cooperation with the Turkish government in investigating the Feb. 1 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Ankara.
Nuland said they were working with the Turkish police and authorities who were investigating the blast.
"Our cooperation with Turkish authorities has been excellent. The FBI is going to be coordinating closely with the Turkish national police to conduct a  full investigation of the attack," she said.

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara, the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul and the U.S. Consulate in Adana were open during regular business hours to provide the full range of normal services despite confirmed threats from the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C), which had claimed responsibility for the suicide bomb attack on the embassy.

The entrance to the embassy’s consular section on Paris Street in Ankara was not affected by the explosion on Feb.1 and will remain in use, the embassy announced on its webpage late Feb. 3, advising anyone coming to the consular section to approach the entrance from Nevzat Tandoğan Street.

Embassy officials said they had received credible information corroborating the DHKP/C’s threats. The DHKP/C claimed responsibility for the suicide attack that killed an embassy guard along with the suicide bomber while leaving one woman injured. According to embassy officials, the DHKP/C stated it intended to commit further attacks against the United States, NATO and Turkey.

“The Department of State advises U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Turkey to be alert to the potential for violence, to avoid those areas where disturbances have occurred, and to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens and nationals traveling to or residing in Turkey enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens and nationals without Internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Enrolling signs you up to receive updated information about areas abroad and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to contact you or your designated contact in case of emergency,” the embassy said in an official statement released to its citizens.

Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or a regular toll line at +1-202-501-4444 for callers from other countries. These numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays), the embassy said.

“You can also stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current travel warnings and travel alerts as well as the worldwide caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well,” it said.