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. -------------- Current Threat Assessment -------------- ¶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. -------------- -------------- 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. -------------- 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. -------------- Security Incidents and Future Demonstrations -------------- ¶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