COLOMBO EAC MEETING MARCH 20, 2003

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000465

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/IP/SA, DS/DSS/ITA AND SA/INS

E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: ASEC AEMR PTER CASC CE
SUBJECT: COLOMBO EAC MEETING MARCH 20, 2003

REF: (A) STATE 72796 (B) STATE 69234


1. (SBU) On March 20, 2003 Colombo Emergency Action
Committee (EAC) met to implement new security procedures due
to the onset of conflict in Iraq. Ambassador chaired the
EAC.


2. (SBU) The EAC decided that effective tomorrow, all
American employees will be picked up from their residences
in Embassy LAVs. The committee agreed to include three
USAID PSCs and one Embassy PSC in the LAV pick-up schedule.
A schedule of staggered pick-up and drop-off times was
distributed to all EAC members.


3. (SBU) The EAC recommended that all official American
dependants not attend school on Friday. Due in part to the
large demonstration against the conflict scheduled to take
place, the school busses will not be used tomorrow.


4. (SBU) The Ambassador commented that the use of the LAVs
and the armed police officers currently assigned to every
U.S. residence are not optional. They are mandatory.


5. (SBU) Travel to the Eastern part of Sri Lanka is
restricted effective today until the EAC can gauge public
sentiment in that part of the country.


6. (SBU) The EAC recommended that the Ambassador accept
the Police Special Task Force protective follow-car for
official moves. The police are prepared to supplement the
Ambassador's protection by providing this measure. The EAC
also recommended that the Ambassador not fly the U.S. flag
on his vehicle until further notice.


7. (SBU) The country clearance message was updated to note
the changes in the travel policy and to come into compliance
with reftel A.


8. (SBU) Consular Chief reported that the Consular section
issued a warden message consistent with the language
provided in reftel B.


9. (SBU) The EAC agreed to meet again as needed.

Wills