SANAA EAC MEETING - 9 DECEMBER 2003

S E C R E T SANAA 002908

SIPDIS

NOFORN

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2013
TAGS: ASEC AMGT PREL PTER YM EAC
SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING - 9 DECEMBER 2003

Classified By: DCM Alan G. Misenheimer, for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D)


1. (S/NF) Summary: The DCM convened an EAC meeting on
December 9, 2003, to review security conditions for Embassy
personnel and the general American community in light of a
recent news article reporting that Yemeni al-Qaeda has
threatened attacks in the next 48 hours. The EAC commenced
with a brief synopsis of the article by the DCM and the
degree of credibility attributed to the article by the ORCA
Chief. As the published threat was assessed to be (a) of
uncertain validity, at best, and (b) directed against the
Republic of Yemen Government (ROYG),not U.S. interests in
Yemen, the EAC decided a new warden message is unnecessary.
Key offices and personnel represented included: DCM,
POL/ECON, MO, CONS, PD, ORCA, DAO, OMC, FPD, MSG and RSO.
End Summary.


2. (S/NF) The DCM briefed EAC members on the 12/08/2003 BBC
report citing that Yemeni al-Qaeda has threatened a response
directed at the ROYG in the next 48 hours in retribution for
the host government's failed attempt to arrest Abdallah
Al-Qar'am (NFI). ORCA Chief explained that none of the
players named in the article is known, adding that the source
of the BBC's information was a website whose credibility was
uncertain, at best.


3. (S/NF) Based on ORCA's assessment and the article's
specific language of targeting ROYG elements, the EAC decided
that issuance of a new warden message is unwarranted at this
time. DCM emphasized to EAC members the need to alert RSO if
new information arises.


4. (S/NF) Concomitantly, RSO raised the issue of the
currently heightened regional threat to expatriate housing
compounds, and the pending request to MOI for an additional
lane closure on Haddah Road in front of Haddah compound. DCM
reiterated that these threats are generalized, not Yemen
specific. It was agreed that DCM and RSO would raise the
issue in pending meeting with the Interior Minister's Office
Director.

RSO comment: MOI representative assured RSO on 11/25/2003
that he would raise the Embassy's concern at the next ROYG
Security Council meeting. End comment.


5. (S/NF) Finally, RSO suggested center-massing Embassy
employee apartments within Haddah compound as new leasing
contracts become available. Acting Consul added that the
Consular Section has recently generated a list of all Amcits
residing in the compound, including addresses and passport
numbers.
HULL