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