SANAA EAC MEETING -- 2 MARCH 2003

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 SANAA 000398

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: 03/02/2013
TAGS: ASEC AMGT PREL PTER AADP CASC YM EAC
SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING -- 2 MARCH 2003

Classified By: Pol/Econ Deputy Chief Catherine J. Westley for Reasons 1
.5 (b and d)


1. (S/NF) Begin Summary: The Ambassador convened an
Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on March 2 to assess
threat information and discuss contingency planning for a
possible conflict with Iraq and other security-related
matters. Key offices and personnel represented at the
meeting included: AMB, DCM, POL/ECON, CONS, ADMIN, PD, RSO,
ORCA, OMC, SOC YEMEN, RMO, FPD AND FBI. End summary.

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Current Threat Assessment
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2. (C) EAC discussed the current threat environment,
concluding that nothing new had come up to change the threat
assessment. EAC discussed the arrest of senior al-Qaeda
leader Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in Pakistan, noting that it
could hinder attacks in Yemen if he provides information and
if al-Qaeda lies low following the arrest. The possibility
of shooting attacks against motorists in light of recent
attacks in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait was reiterated, with a
reminder that Mission personnel should continue to exercise
caution by varying times and routes, being unpredictable, and
making maximum use of armored Embassy vehicles.

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Warden Meeting Scheduled for March 3
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3. (C) EAC discussed the timeliness of the Warden meeting
scheduled for March 3 as part of the Embassy's regular
communication with the American community. Other scheduled
contingency consultations include: DCM meetings with the
Local Guard Force to discuss perimeter security (especially
after the recent Karachi attack); RSO contacts with all U.S.
Fulbright students in country; DCM meeting with spouses of
U.S. employees; RSO meeting with Amideast deputy director;
and RSO follow-up at the Yemeni-American Language Institute.
EAC members have heard increased questions from the larger
expatriate community about what they should do in light of a
possible war in Iraq and the drawdowns of British, Dutch and
German Embassy staff.

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Securing International Schools
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4, (C) RSO briefed the EAC on efforts to secure
international schools, including the Ambassador's 2/26
meeting with the Ministry of Interior. On the basis of
Ambassador's proposal to the Minister of a security
partnership -- in which the schools will take certain
unilateral security steps and the ROYG will provide a static
security presence at school sites during school hours plus
mobile response teams around the clock -- follow-up is
underway. A group of representatives from the international
schools and several embassies (including Embassy Sanaa RSO)
met with Interior officials 2/27 to discuss what the schools
must do and what the ROYG could provide in terms of extra
protection. The group is developing a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) for the ROYG that it hopes will help
facilitate security assistance, including police escorts,
concrete barriers and improved communications. Embassy Sanaa
is a leading participant in this effort.

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Other Mission Drawdowns
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5. (C) EAC discussed drawdowns of other Embassies (notably
Dutch, British and German) and international organizations in
Yemen, including the UN. RSO reported that the UN in Sanaa
is preparing a report for New York to recommend that
facilitation of the departure of more than 130 family members
if necessary. Several other small missions, including
French, Japanese and Italian, are standing fast. DCM
reported that at the USG authorized departure posts in the
region approximately 50% of dependents have left post.

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Vaccinations and Disaster Response
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6. (SBU) EAC discussed the 2/23-25 smallpox immunization
program, noting that only one person had fallen ill after the
shot and that it could not be definitively traced to the
vaccine. The person is now healthy. The RMO also discussed
the future anthrax vaccinations and the possibility that the
vaccines thought to be spoiled might be usable, pending the
Department's analysis. RMO briefed the EAC on disaster
response discussions with ROYG officials, including the
Minister of Health. Yemeni authorities have the ability to
analyze suspect powder and determine if it is/is not anthrax,
but were generally pessimistic about their other CBW response
abilities and requested assistance from the Embassy.


7. (SBU) RMO briefed EAC on the ongoing First Responder
training, and noted upcoming training in bio-chemical
response to include CBW escape mask training on March 10 with
a visiting expert team.

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Contingency Preparation: "StandFast" and "MoveSafe"
-------------- --------------


8. (C) DCM briefed the EAC on the guidelines for Embassy
response to a possible Iraq contingency that would require a
temporary closure and reduced or modified Embassy staffing.


9. (C) A declaration of StandFast would entail immediate
closure of the Embassy and curtailment of all but essential
operations. American staff performing essential functions
would reside in the Embassy or the Alternate Command Center,
while all other staff will remain in their residences. DCM
circulated a classified staff list designating each
employee's StandFast location. The Embassy would be closed
to the public, with no vehicle traffic in or out except for
essential operational travel (e.g., to/from ROYG ministries
authorized by the Chief of Mission). FSN staff performing
essential functions would be admitted to the Embassy on the
basis of an Access List updated daily by the RSO.


10. (U) A declaration of MoveSafe would entail a less
restrictive limitation on the movement of American personnel
outside their residences or the Embassy compound. Embassy
operations may be shut down or curtailed to a limited degree
if designated by the COM. Travel would be allowed only in
armored vehicles. Non-essential American and FSN staff would
be allowed access to the Embassy in accordance with the level
of Embassy operations and the COM's assessment of security
conditions.


11. (C) DCM briefed the EAC on plans for daily situation
reporting should hostilities occur between Iraq and coalition
forces. He asked that each section provide information to
the Political/Economic section early for inclusion in a daily
sitrep to be sent out via classified e-mail or cable by
mid-afternoon.

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Security Drills and Radio Checks
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12. (U) RSO held an intruder drill on February 27 that
showed some deficiencies in staff knowledge on how to
respond. More intruder drills will be held in the immediate
future. RSO also conducted ongoing destruction drills with
various sections. All sections were reminded to minimize
their burn time.


13. (U) EAC noted the success of weekend radio notification
by RSO and Post One of several peaceful demonstrations in
Sanaa (2/28, 3/1, 3/2),which instructed personnel on the
location of demonstrations and to avoid non-essential travel.
EAC also announced an intensified schedule of radio checks
in the coming days. EAC emphasized the importance of
everyone carrying their radios at all times.

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Demonstrations, Security Violations, EAP, Aggressive Driving
-------------- --------------


14. (C) EAC emphasized that everyone should report
information gained on possible demonstrations or incidents
related to demonstrations to the RSO. DCM reminded staff to
remain vigilant regarding security violations, especially
during this busy time. EAC members were reminded to read and
comment on post's updated Emergency Action Plan. RSO asked
EAC members to caution their staff to be more mindful of
their driving habits, including avoiding unnecessary
aggressive driving that could draw adverse attention from
ROYG police and/or pedestrians.
HULL