SANAA EAC MEETING MARCH 12

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000489

SIPDIS

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: 03/13/2013
TAGS: ASEC AMGT PREL PTER AADP CASC YM EAC
SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING MARCH 12

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 12 to
assess threat information and discuss ongoing security
measures, 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. (S/NF) EAC discussed the current threat environment.
DCM said that Sanaa is the only Embassy on the Arabian
Peninsula not under authorized departure, primarily because
of excellent security cooperation from the Yemeni government
and long-standing security measures already in place. ORCA
briefed on recent intel relating to potential threats from
al-Qaeda and Iraq, noting that no evidence of a new imminent
and specific threat exists but that Sanaa continues to face a
high potential threat.


3. (C) Ambassador asked whether EAC members thought that
requesting authorized departure status should be considered
in light of the regional situation and current threat
profile. EAC unanimously decided that it was not warranted
at this time.

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Ongoing Security Measures and Contingency Planning
-------------- --------------


4. (C) EAC discussed ongoing security measures,
consultations and contingency planning. They include:

-- DCM 3/10 discussion with Foreign Minister al-Qirbi urging
resolution to the issues of civilian (i.e., non-diplomatic)
license plates for embassy vehicles and facilitating entry
into Yemen of increased numbers of armored vehicles. Embassy
faces ROYG restrictions on the numbers of non-diplomatic
license plates ("blue plates") and armored vehicles, and is
waiting ROYG response on pending requests.

-- Acting as a force multiplier for the Regional Security
Office, Force Protection Detachment (FPD) will conduct a
follow-on visit to Jibla, where Americans are still working
at the hospital, to conduct scheduled security consultations
on March 14-15. FPD will travel in an armored vehicle with a
Thuraya satellite phone to ensure safety and good
communication should events in the region warrant their
immediate return.

-- Training for Local Guard Force (LGF),Marine Detachment
and Yemeni guard force on receiving demonstration petitions
safely, a follow-up to recent DCM meetings with the LGF.

-- Training of female perimeter guards stationed to conduct
security checks of women, particularly those in abayas that
could hide dangerous items.

-- DCM and RSO lunch scheduled March 15 with Sheraton Hotel
management and Yemeni security forces to consolidate
adjustments recently made at Embassy suggestion to Sheraton
security. These changes include instituting ordinance
testing, building guard shacks and inspecting vehicles
thoroughly and politely.

-- RSO and Consular Section to assess security implications
of the increase in consular waiting lines in recent days, and
to take further security steps as needed.

-- More frequent radio checks that have increased community
participation to almost 100%.

-- Distribution of the latest update of Embassy's telephone
cascade system for emergency use.

-- The importance of keeping the StandFast employee list
complete and up-to-date.
-- Reiterating the importance of proper mail handling
procedures to ensure that no unscreened mail enters the
chancery under any circumstances.

-- Further consultations with the American community on
contingency planning for a possible outbreak of war,
including RSO meetings with Fulbright students, NDI, ADRA and
Amideast this week.
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Vaccinations and Disaster Response
--------------

5. (SBU) RMO briefed EAC on the successful conclusion of
the smallpox vaccination program, noting that a cable with
full details would be forthcoming. 22 staff members so far
have taken advantage of the anthrax immunization program.


6. (SBU) EAC discussed the visiting chem/bio response team
training of First Responders and all Embassy staff March
11-13.

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Security Incidents and Future Demonstrations
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7. (SBU) EAC discussed security of local areas frequented
by Embassy personnel. Two minor incidents at Bab al-Yemen,
the main shopping market, were briefed. In one incident, FPD
personnel were cased by a young man who asked the young boy
assisting FPD with shopping whether they were Americans and
where they were going. FPD personnel secured themselves
within a store and were told by the boy and the store owner
that the young man was a well-known thief. Nothing further
occurred. In another incident, an Embassy employee was spit
upon. RSO raised both incidents with the Ministry of
Interior. Based on the nature of the incidents and
discussions with MOI, no further restrictions on going to Bab
al-Yemen were deemed necessary at this time, although
increased caution was urged.


8. (U) In light of expected demonstrations in the coming
days, including President Saleh's call for one on March 15,
EAC discussed the necessity of coordinating with the ROYG to
ensure that Post is informed on the location and scope of
demonstrations to ensure the safety of anyone traveling near
those areas.
HULL