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