Istanbul to Grind to Halt during NATO Summit

Coastal Road will be closed from Ataturk Airport to Ciragan Palace. Barricades will be setup along this avenue and all of the other streets opening to NATO Valley. Access will only be allowed through checkpoints.

Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler held a NATO Summit Informational Meeting at the Istanbul Police Department. Governor Guler said that Istanbul successfully hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, the World Journalists’ Union Meeting, the OECD and Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Foreign Ministers Meetings within the last month and that it was prepared for NATO as well.

According to information provided by Guler, neighborhood officials of the affected area have submitted information about the people who live or work in NATO Valley. These residents have been given identity cards that they will use to enter through checkpoints.

Police forces from around Turkey will provide security for the Summit. If necessary, an Istanbul Gendarme Commando regiment could be called into action to provide additional support.

Governor Guler indicated that they have not received a security warning from Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT), U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) or Israeli Intelligence Service (MOSSAD).

3000 Delegates from 46 Countries to Attend

Presidents and Prime Ministers, Foreign and Defense Ministers, and Chiefs of General Staff from 46 countries will come to Istanbul for the Summit. 3000 delegates and 3500 press members will also be present.

23,568 police, 7500 from outside of Istanbul, will provide security. 230 police chiefs who are fluent in foreign languages will head various security teams. The police will wear a special uniform that was made by the Foreign Ministry. Meal packages have been prepared for the police, who will work 12-hour shifts.

Nobody, including security officers, will able to access the actual buildings where the Summit is being held. Police officials’ weekend and annual leaves have been cancelled for the duration of the summit.

560 paramedics and 94 ambulances will be on constant standby, as will 190 members of Ankara’s Civilian Defense Search and Rescue Team. Only ambulances and fire engines will be allowed in the places affected by the car ban.

Istanbul residents are encouraged to go to www.ibb.gov.tr, www.iem.gov.tr, www.istanbul.gov.tr or call 0212 636 11 07 to find out more information about how the summit will affect them.