July 2002 issue

Taking full advantage of the latest technology, American Citizen Services (ACS) has developed a foolproof system for delivering important information to American citizens in Poland. In November 2001, the Embassy in Warsaw and the Consulate General in Krakow inaugurated a new Short Message System (SMS) telephone messaging system. The new system enables Embassy personnel from the ACS unit to contact our wardens throughout Poland using a relatively fast, inexpensive, and reliable SMS service which operates on a variety of communication systems. This messaging system will also help wardens to, in turn, expeditiously contact those American citizens for whom they have contact responsibilities. This system was conceived to provide an additional measure of support and information dissemination to U.S. citizens in Poland in the wake of the September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. Under the new system, wardens check their e-mail or faxes regularly for warden messages. They then communicate with their contacts via e-mail, fax, cellular phone, or letter, depending on the mode of communication preferred by a given American Citizen living in Poland.

There are currently 64 wardens serving some 600 Americans citizens registered with us to receive advisory information from the ACS unit. These numbers represent a minority of the total number of Americans who live in Poland, currently estimated at about 4,800. Messages are sent concerning issues of security and travel as well as information of common interest, for example the recent change in the way new U.S. passports are issued, voting information, and tax assistance information.

Considering the current state of worldwide tension, we recommend that all American Citizens register with the ACS unit and also register for the warden notification system. It is a convenient form of communication at no cost to the recipient. Registration forms may be obtained in the ACS unit in Warsaw or Krakow or on-line at www.usinfo.pl.

Americans should consider becoming wardens themselves. It is a valuable public service to the American community, and wardens are the first to know the latest information. Additionally, wardens are invited to special Embassy functions and meetings.