COLOMBO EAC DATED 11/24/03

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 002039

SIPDIS

DS FOR DS/IP/NEA/SA AND DS/DSS/ITA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2013
TAGS: ASEC CE PTER
SUBJECT: COLOMBO EAC DATED 11/24/03

REF: A. A) STATE 324952

B. B) STATE 325061

C. C) STATE 325054

Classified By: RSO Alex Moore - Reason: 1.5(G)


1. (SBU) Summary - In response to information and guidance
provided in Reftels, Embassy Colombo convened an EAC on
11/24/03 to discuss the Embassy's current security posture
and to develop a plan of action to address other potential
American targets in Sri Lanka that could be perceived as
"soft." The EAC agreed the Embassy would continue its
efforts to tighten its vehicle and visitor access procedures
and pursue a more aggressive role in providing security
assistance to schools, businesses, and other potential soft
targets representing American interests. It was also agreed
that RSO would seek permission to train and equip three
members of the Embassy's Local Guard Force to serve as
Bodyguards for the AMB when the situation is dictated by
threat. Details follow.


2. (C) On 11/24/03, Embassy Colombo convened an EAC to
discuss information and guidance provided in Reftels. The
EAC was chaired by AMB and attended by DCM, RSO, ARSO, POL,
ECON, DAO, CLO, and PD. AMB opened the meeting with an
overview of recent terrorist events in the world and reviewed
the threat environment in Sri Lanka. The EAC determined that
at present, there is no specific information regarding
terrorist threats to Americans or American interests in Sri
Lanka. The AMB then transitioned the meeting toward a
discussion of recent recommendations proposed by RSO to
tighten vehicle and visitor access procedures at the Chancery
and American Center, which houses AID and PD. (Visitor
parking and delivery vehicle procedures were two areas
identified by the IG in October as being out of compliance
with the standards for high threat posts. The IG also
confirmed that the degraded state of the windows in the Guard
Booth at the American Center were a serious security
liability. Post requests for funding to resolve this
liability will reiterated septel.)


3. (C) The EAC then shifted its attention to the security of
schools attended by American dependents in Colombo. Although
there is no American school in Colombo, most Embassy
dependents attend the Overseas School of Colombo (OSC).
Three Embassy families send their children to the British and
French Schools respectively. RSO advised that OSC is
currently in Phase One of the Office of Overseas Schools
grant program to fund a radio base station, a Public Address
system, and window film for the school. RSO advised that he
would move toward implementing Phase Two of the program,
which seeks to provide moderate physical security
enhancements to schools. AMB instructed the RSO to contact
the British and French Schools and offer advice and
recommendations to their security programs as well.


4. (C) The EAC discussed the American business community as
a potential soft target for terrorists and the point was made
that the DS Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) program
intends to visit post in January for the purpose of
developing an OSAC in Sri Lanka. Until OSAC is established,
however, AMB requested that ECON provide the local American
Chamber of Commerce basic security information using
unclassified language contained in Reftels. (On a side

SIPDIS
meeting with ECON, RSO agreed to make a security presentation
to AMCHAM in early December.)


5. (C) Finally, the EAC endorsed RSO's recommendation to
seek authorization from DS to train and equip three qualified
Local Guard Force members as armed Ambassadorial Bodyguards
for when the situation is dictated by a high threat. The
Ambassador emphasized that it would only be under exceptional
circumstances that his bodyguards would be armed, but that it
was important to have the necessary authorization, training
and equipment in place. (A cable will be forthcoming seeking
DS approval for RSO's plan of action for this initiative.)

LUNSTEAD