Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03SANAA371
2003-02-26 03:59:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:
SANAA EAC MEETING - 23 FEBRUARY 2003
how-toThis 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 000371
SIPDIS
NOFORN
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA, NEA/ARP, NEA/EX, S/CT, CA, DS/DSS,
DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, CENTCOM FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2013
TAGS: ASEC AMGT PREL PTER AADP CASC EAC COUNTER TERRORISM
SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING - 23 FEBRUARY 2003
Classified By: RSO Tim Laas, for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000371
SIPDIS
NOFORN
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA, NEA/ARP, NEA/EX, S/CT, CA, DS/DSS,
DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, CENTCOM FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2013
TAGS: ASEC AMGT PREL PTER AADP CASC EAC COUNTER TERRORISM
SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING - 23 FEBRUARY 2003
Classified By: RSO Tim Laas, for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).
1. (S/NF) Begin summary: The Ambassador convened an EAC
meeting on February 23 to assess recent threat information
and discuss security-related issues. Also mentioned was EAP
readiness and the need to prepare for a future conflict in
Iraq. Key offices and personnel represented at the meeting
included: CHG, POL/ECON, CONS, ADMIN, PD, RSO, ORCA, OMC, SOC
YEMEN, RMO, FPD AND FBI. End summary.
2. (C) The EAC began their discussion with a review of the
threat environment in light of the shooting of a British
defense contractor in Saudi Arabia. EAC members noted that a
similar scenario could play out in Yemen. Accordingly, the
EAC agreed that Mission personnel should again be urged to
vary their times and routes and avoid a predictable pattern
in any other way.
3. (C) The EAC discussed the fact that the British Embassy
in Sanaa had drawn down to the to a minimal staff working out
of the Ambassador's residence. According to the DCM this was
a pattern for British missions throughout the region, but
also reflected the British concern that their Chancery was
vulnerable because it lacked adequate standoff.
4. (SBU) The EAC noted that the U.S. mission granted
authorized departures for Embassy staff in Kuwait, Saudi
Arabia, Beirut, Syria, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem. The Ambassador
asked the EAC if any members thought that American Embassy
Sanaa should consider requesting such a departure status at
this time. The EAC unanimously recommended not requesting
authorized departure status at this time because the past has
been at high security alert for some time and has procedures
in place to manage the existing threat.
5. (SBU) EAC members were briefed about the large number of
FSN and Direct Hire American staff that had opted to receive
the Smallpox vaccination following excellent briefings
provided by a TDY State Department medical team in Sanaa.
The Ambassador noted that the likelihood of a biological
attack in Sanaa remained small but the potential existed for
someone regionally to become infected before traveling to
Yemen at which time he/she might expose inhabitants in Yemen
to the virus. The RMO discussed the fact that Anthrax
inoculations would follow smallpox vaccinations at an
unspecified time in the future.
6. (SBU) The Administrative Officer briefed the EAC that
Escape Masks being held by ROYG customs would be released
shortly. The RSO noted that a training team was scheduled to
train Embassy personnel beginning on March 10, 2003. (Note
the masks were in fact released to the Embassy on February
24.)
7. (U) The DCM briefed EAC members on the success of First
Responder Training recently provided by the RMO.
8. (U) The RSO informed the EAC team that the EAP had been
finalized by TDY RSO Nick Mariano and was ready for EAC
Chairman review and approval before send-out.
9. (U) The DCM reminded EAC members about the newly updated
phone tree to be used in the event of a crisis.
10. (SBU) The DCM invited SOC-Yemen and other EAC members to
review and provide input into the recently revised Drawdown
List updated by the DCM, ADMOFF, COMSOFF and RSO.
11. (SBU) EAC members reviewed tentative "Hunker Down"
Guidelines in the event of hostilities between the U.S. led
coalition and Iraq. Subjects covered included:
Sleeping Arrangements
FSN Access
Cafeteria
Reminder to bring overnight bag to office NOW
Have cash on hand
Update POA as necessary
12. (SBU) The EAC noted the success of a Safe Haven Drill
administered by the RSO on 20 February at 0900 hours with the
entire Embassy staff.
13. (SBU) The RSO noted that a Destruction Drill would be
held on February 25, 2003. The DCM reminded EAC members of
the importance of keeping burn times to less than 1 hour in
each section.
14. (SBU) The ADMINOFF reviewed post mail handling
guidelines formulated to avoid the risk of Chancery
contamination in case of any future white powder incidents.
HULL
SIPDIS
NOFORN
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA, NEA/ARP, NEA/EX, S/CT, CA, DS/DSS,
DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, CENTCOM FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2013
TAGS: ASEC AMGT PREL PTER AADP CASC EAC COUNTER TERRORISM
SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING - 23 FEBRUARY 2003
Classified By: RSO Tim Laas, for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).
1. (S/NF) Begin summary: The Ambassador convened an EAC
meeting on February 23 to assess recent threat information
and discuss security-related issues. Also mentioned was EAP
readiness and the need to prepare for a future conflict in
Iraq. Key offices and personnel represented at the meeting
included: CHG, POL/ECON, CONS, ADMIN, PD, RSO, ORCA, OMC, SOC
YEMEN, RMO, FPD AND FBI. End summary.
2. (C) The EAC began their discussion with a review of the
threat environment in light of the shooting of a British
defense contractor in Saudi Arabia. EAC members noted that a
similar scenario could play out in Yemen. Accordingly, the
EAC agreed that Mission personnel should again be urged to
vary their times and routes and avoid a predictable pattern
in any other way.
3. (C) The EAC discussed the fact that the British Embassy
in Sanaa had drawn down to the to a minimal staff working out
of the Ambassador's residence. According to the DCM this was
a pattern for British missions throughout the region, but
also reflected the British concern that their Chancery was
vulnerable because it lacked adequate standoff.
4. (SBU) The EAC noted that the U.S. mission granted
authorized departures for Embassy staff in Kuwait, Saudi
Arabia, Beirut, Syria, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem. The Ambassador
asked the EAC if any members thought that American Embassy
Sanaa should consider requesting such a departure status at
this time. The EAC unanimously recommended not requesting
authorized departure status at this time because the past has
been at high security alert for some time and has procedures
in place to manage the existing threat.
5. (SBU) EAC members were briefed about the large number of
FSN and Direct Hire American staff that had opted to receive
the Smallpox vaccination following excellent briefings
provided by a TDY State Department medical team in Sanaa.
The Ambassador noted that the likelihood of a biological
attack in Sanaa remained small but the potential existed for
someone regionally to become infected before traveling to
Yemen at which time he/she might expose inhabitants in Yemen
to the virus. The RMO discussed the fact that Anthrax
inoculations would follow smallpox vaccinations at an
unspecified time in the future.
6. (SBU) The Administrative Officer briefed the EAC that
Escape Masks being held by ROYG customs would be released
shortly. The RSO noted that a training team was scheduled to
train Embassy personnel beginning on March 10, 2003. (Note
the masks were in fact released to the Embassy on February
24.)
7. (U) The DCM briefed EAC members on the success of First
Responder Training recently provided by the RMO.
8. (U) The RSO informed the EAC team that the EAP had been
finalized by TDY RSO Nick Mariano and was ready for EAC
Chairman review and approval before send-out.
9. (U) The DCM reminded EAC members about the newly updated
phone tree to be used in the event of a crisis.
10. (SBU) The DCM invited SOC-Yemen and other EAC members to
review and provide input into the recently revised Drawdown
List updated by the DCM, ADMOFF, COMSOFF and RSO.
11. (SBU) EAC members reviewed tentative "Hunker Down"
Guidelines in the event of hostilities between the U.S. led
coalition and Iraq. Subjects covered included:
Sleeping Arrangements
FSN Access
Cafeteria
Reminder to bring overnight bag to office NOW
Have cash on hand
Update POA as necessary
12. (SBU) The EAC noted the success of a Safe Haven Drill
administered by the RSO on 20 February at 0900 hours with the
entire Embassy staff.
13. (SBU) The RSO noted that a Destruction Drill would be
held on February 25, 2003. The DCM reminded EAC members of
the importance of keeping burn times to less than 1 hour in
each section.
14. (SBU) The ADMINOFF reviewed post mail handling
guidelines formulated to avoid the risk of Chancery
contamination in case of any future white powder incidents.
HULL