SANAA EAC MEETING - 20 DECEMBER 2003

S E C R E T SANAA 002993

SIPDIS

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: 12/23/2013
TAGS: ASEC AMGT PREL PTER YM EAC
SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING - 20 DECEMBER 2003

Classified By: Ambassador E.J. Hull, for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D)


1. (s) Summary: On December 20 Ambassador convened an EAC
meeting to discuss Post response to recent security incidents
involving Westerners. Post has confirmed that three Western
males were stabbed in or near the Old City on December 15-17.
After reviewing security procedures, the Embassy issued an
updated warden message cautioning Americans against travel on
foot around Bab al-Yemen, Tahrir Square, the Bounia
neighborhood and the areas surrounding the Taj Sheba Hotel,
Jamal Street and Suq al-Qah. Subject to ROYG concurrence,
EAC also agreed to request that RSO arrange security-escorted
visits for Embassy personnel who wish to visit these areas.
End Summary.

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Three Westerners Stabbed in Old City Area
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2. (s) RSO briefed the EAC on what Post has been able to
confirm through contacts with other Embassies and the ROYG.
On December 15 a Dutch national was knifed in Bab al-Yemen.
On December 16, a German national was stabbed walking from
the Taj Sheba hotel to al-Tahrir Square. On December 17, an
Austrian national was knifed knocking at a door in the
al-Bunia neighborhood. RSO also informed the EAC that all
the men were clearly identified as European and are blond.
The Austrian national told the Yemen Observer newspaper that
the attacker muttered something regarding Saddam Hussein.


3. (s) A/DCM relayed information from the German DCM who
said the Austrian national and the German national have
described different attackers. Local news organizations also
report the German national said he was attacked by two men.

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ROYG Confirms Two Stabbings
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4. (s) A/RSO met with Ministry of Interior Chief of Staff
Sunidar on December 18 who confirmed that a Dutch and a
German national were stabbed. CONS issued a warden message
on December 18 informing the community of two stabbings.
A/RSO noted that he requested a follow-up meeting with the
Ministry of Interior (MOI),but this request was denied by
the MOI, which cited that A/RSO already had met with Sunidar
that week and that Sunidar was tied up in meetings all day.
A/RSO will continue to push for an MOI meeting as soon as
possible. Ambassador reviewed Warden message distribution
procedures, noting that many Embassy employees only received
the annoucement on Saturday morning (December 20) when they
opened their email. CONS will investigate alternate weekend
distribution to American employees.

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New Security Procedures: Escorted Visits to Areas of Concern
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5. (s) Ambassador proposed to the EAC that the A/RSO, in
consultation with the CLO, organize escorted trips to the
areas of concern. AID suggested adding Suq al-Qah to the
areas subject to caution and EAC members concurred. FPD
encouraged all Embassy staff to travel in groups. The EAC
agreed to issue a Warden message updating members of the
American community about the third incident. The message
also cautions American citizens to be particularly alert and
to avoid travel on foot around Bab al-Yemen, Tahrir Square,
the Bounia neighborhood and the areas surrounding the Taj
Sheba Hotel, Jamal Street and Suq al-Qah. EAC also agreed to
reissue guidance encouraging Americans to limit use of public
transportation to known, reliable operators. An updated
Warden message was sent on December 20.


6. (u) Ambassador tasked CONS to take the temperature of the
Warden community and advise if the Ambassador should schedule
a Warden meeting.


HULL