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