Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03SANAA1136
2003-05-20 08:24:00
SECRET
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:  

SANAA EAC MEETING MAY 18

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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 001136 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA, NEA/ARP, NEA/EX, S/CT, CA, DS/IP,
DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, CENTCOM FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2013
TAGS: ASEC AMGT PREL PTER CASC YM EAC COUNTER TERRORISM
SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING MAY 18

REF: STATE 131676

Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull, for Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 001136

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA, NEA/ARP, NEA/EX, S/CT, CA, DS/IP,
DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, CENTCOM FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2013
TAGS: ASEC AMGT PREL PTER CASC YM EAC COUNTER TERRORISM
SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING MAY 18

REF: STATE 131676

Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull, for Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (S/NF) Summary: The Ambassador convened an Emergency
Action Committee (EAC) meeting on May 18 to assess Embassy
security posture and threat information. Drawing upon
lessons learned in Riyadh and Casablanca, post is expanding
the ongoing security review, and is working closely with ROYG
to correct deficiencies. End summary.


2. (S/NF) Key offices and personnel represented at the
5/18 EAC meeting included: visiting CJTF HOA Commander -
General Sattler, ADMIN, AMB, CONS, DCM, FPD, IRM, MSG, OMC,
ORCA, PD, POL/ECON, RSO, and SOC YEMEN.


3. (S/NF) ORCA reported no new threat information.


4. (S/NF) RSO reported detection of possible new
surveillance of Embassy personnel/property by Saudi plated
vehicles. This surveillance was detected by Embassy's
Surveillance Detection Team and has been reported septel.

--------------
Security Review
--------------


5. (S/NF) Ambassador briefed on recent high-level security
contacts with ROYG. In response to events in the region,
post and ROYG have launched a comprehensive review of the
security posture in Yemen. On 5/18, Ambassador met with
Minister of Interior Alimi to discuss lessons learned from
the attacks in Riyadh and Casablanca. Alimi confirmed that
ROYG, like the USG, is taking the initiative and performing a
security review using information gleaned from recent
attacks. He also advised that the Embassy should see
security enhancements shortly.


6. (S/NF) Post has taken the following actions to ensure
the security readiness of the Embassy community:

-- Post held a Warden meeting on 5/19 to discuss increased
awareness and the importance of becoming a hard target --
varying routes and times, checking your vehicle for foreign
objects, and reporting suspicious activity to the appropriate
authorities.

-- On May 19 DCM and RSO completed a walk-through of Hadda
compound, home to a number of permanent employees, to assess
the security posture. They met with security officials of
both Yemen Hunt Oil and Canadian Nexxen, and discussed
numerous new measures to ensure that Hadda cannot be
successfully targeted using techniques employed in the Riyadh
attacks.

-- DCM visited the Sanaa International School (SIS) on 5/15
to discuss the attacks in Riyadh and the security
implications for SIS. SIS will meet with ROYG officials to
discuss their security posture, and, if necessary, contact
the Embassy for additional assistance/expertise.

-- On 5/15 RSO and ROYG officials completed a walk-through of
the Sheraton Hotel complex to assess security. ROYG assigned
additional assets the next day (5/16).

-- Post responded (septel) to DS's request for information on
the condition and effectiveness of barriers, and expects a DS
team in the near future to make the requisite repairs and
alterations.


7. (S/NF) Post will take the following measures to continue
our security review of both hard and soft targets:

-- DCM and RSO will inspect security arrangements at the
Tourist City compound, home to both permanent and TDY
personnel, on May 20.

-- RSO will continue to work with ROYG to maintain an
appropriate security posture at the Hadda and Tourist City
compounds, the Sheraton Hotel, and the Sanaa International
School (SIS).
-- RSO will investigate and correct reports of deficiencies
in security procedures on the compounds, at the Sheraton, and
at SIS as they occur.

-- Post will work with our neighbors on the Hadda compound,
particularly Hunt Oil, to ensure that recommended security
upgrades are implemented.

-- Post will request additional ROYG security forces at choke
points on well-known routes to and from the embassy.

-- Post will request the periodic positioning of ROYG
roadblocks on the approaches to the Hadda compound and other
Embassy residences to introduce another layer of deterrence.

-- Ambassador will join ROYG security officials later this
week for a walk-through of the Sheraton Hotel, home to many
Embassy TDYers, to assess the security situation.

-- RSO will interview all domestics working for the Embassy
community and request police and medical checks. Upon the
successful completion of this process, post will issue
appropriate Embassy documentation to approved domestic
employees.


HULL