SANAA EAC MEETING - 23 DECEMBER 2003

S E C R E T SANAA 003014 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: 12/23/2013 TAGS: AMGT PREL PTER YM SEC EAC SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING - 23 DECEMBER 2003 REF: SANAA 2993 Classified By: Ambassador E.J. Hull, for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D) ¶1. (S/NF) Summary: Ambassador convened an EAC on December 23 to discuss the change to Orange Alert and an update on recent stabbings of Westerners in Old Sanaa (ref). EAC agreed that while none of the threat information causing the change to Orange Alert pointed specifically to Yemen, Embassy personnel would maintain vigilant security practices. The Ministry of Interior arrested a suspect in the recent stabbings of Westerners on December 20 who has confessed to all three stabbings. No stabbings have occurred since December 17. Post will maintain stringent security practices, including Embassy security-escorted visits to the Old City until further notice. Key offices and personnel represented at the meeting included: POL/ECON, CONS, RSO, MO, FPD, POL/MIL, DAO, OMC, and SOC YEMEN. End Summary. -------------- Orange Alert -------------- ¶2. (C) Ambassador briefed EAC on the reasons behind the change to Orange or "High" Alert. He said that patterns of intelligence and a spike in terrorist communications could mean attacks abroad as well as in the U.S. in the coming weeks. While listing several countries that warranted heightened concern that did not include Yemen, he noted that attacks could be anywhere and good security practices must be maintained. ¶3. (S/NF) ORCA said that while there is nothing to indicate a specific credible threat in Yemen, the takedown of the terrorist cell by ROYG authorities in September shows that terrorist motivation remains to conduct operations in Yemen. He said that while recent captures of wanted terrorists significantly dented their ability to fund terrorist actions and move weapons, anything could still happen and vigilance should be continued. -------------- Alleged Perpetrator of Stabbings in Custody -------------- ¶4. (C) A/RSO briefed EAC on the recent stabbings in Sanaa (reftel). He said that the Ministry of Interior arrested one Yemeni male on December 20, who confessed to all three stabbings. The MOI is continuing to investigate to ascertain whether others were involved in the incidents. A/RSO noted no stabbings have occurred since December 17. -------------- --- Post to Maintain Security Posture Despite Arrest -------------- --- ¶5. (C) EAC members decided to maintain the increased security procedures on travel to the Old City for the time being, despite the arrest of a stabbing suspect, noting that prudence dictates being careful until Post can be more certain the threat is eliminated. RSO has arranged security-escorted visits for Embassy personnel and their families to include two plain-clothed RSO Surveillance Detection (SD) officers to provide surveillance and early detection of possible threats. MOI informed A/RSO that their significantly increased police presence in the Old City would be able to respond quickly to any incident. HULL