KINSHASA EAC RECOMMENDATIONS

S E C R E T KINSHASA 008514 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/04/2010 TAGS: ASEC PGOV CG SUBJECT: KINSHASA EAC RECOMMENDATIONS REF: A. STATE 241205 ¶B. KINSHASA 8504 ¶C. KINSHASA 8510 CLASSIFIED BY ARSO JULIE STANSFIELD FOR REASONS 1.5 (B/D). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: EMBASSY KINSHASA'S EAC REVIEWED A VARIETY OF REPORTS AND DEVELOPMENTS THAT POTENTIALLY AFFECT SECURITY. THE EAC DETERMINED THAT A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT ADVISING AGAINST TRAVEL TO LUBUMBASHI IS IN ORDER AND AGREED TO REMAIN ALERT TO FURTHER EVENTS. END SUMMARY ¶2. (S) EMBASSY KINSHASA'S EAC MET ON DECEMBER 21 AND 22 TO REVIEW THE FOLLOWING: -- REPORTS ON TWO DIFFERENT REBEL OFFENSIVES IN KATANGA AND EQUATEUR (REF B); -- CONCERNS ABOUT THE SECURITY SITUATION IN LIGHT OF SOCIAL PRESSURES THAT MOUNT DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD; -- A VARIETY OF THREATS AND THREAT REPORTS INCLUDING THE EXPANSION OF SELF-DEFENSE FORCES IN KINSHASA (FAP),COUP RUMORS AND REPORTS OF THE FORMATION OF A "SECRET" ARMY; -- THE HEIGHTENED WORLDWIDE RISK OF TERRORIST ATTACK (REF A). ¶3. (C) THE EAC AGREED THAT EMBASSY KINSHASA'S CURRENT SECURITY PROFILE, WHICH INCLUDES A CURFEW FOR USG EMPLOYEES, A 50 PERCENT REDUCTION IN STAFF DUE TO HOLIDAY TRAVEL, A NEWLY REVISED TRIP-WIRE LIST (REF C),IMPROVEMENTS IN EMBASSY READINESS, AND AN EMBASSY-WIDE COMMITMENT TO GOOD SECURITY PRACTICES, POSITION US WELL TO MEET ANY DEVELOPMENTS THAT MIGHT ARISE OVER THE HOLIDAYS. THE EAC FURTHER AGREED THAT, WHILE THERE ARE REASONS FOR CONCERN, THERE IS NO HARD EVIDENCE THAT ANY SIGNIFICANT EVENT IS IMMINENT. ¶4. (C) HOWEVER, THE EAC APPROVED SEVERAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: -- A WARDEN MESSAGE AND PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT TO ADVISE AMERICANS THAT THE FALL OF PWETO COMBINED WITH GOVERNMENT TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS MAKE IT ADVISABLE TO AVOID ALL BUT ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TO LUBUMBASHI AND KATANGA PROVINCE (TWO EMBASSY EMPLOYEES CANCELED PLANS TO VISIT LUBUMBASHI THIS WEEK.); -- THE EAC AND THE AMBASSADOR AGREED THAT THE EMBASSY CURFEW SHOULD NOT BE SUSPENDED FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY; -- IN ADDITION TO THE DUTY OFFICER, THE RSO AGREED TO SERVE AS A POINT OF CONTACT TO COORDINATE INFORMATION FLOWS OVER THE WEEKEND. ¶5. (U) THE EAC WILL MEET AGAIN NEXT WEEK TO REASSESS THE SITUATION. SWING