(TFI201) SANAA EAC MEETING MARCH 19

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000521 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: 03/19/2013 TAGS: ASEC AMGT PREL PTER AADP CASC YM EAC COUNTER TERRORISM SUBJECT: (TFI201) SANAA EAC MEETING MARCH 19 REF: A. SANAA 516 ¶B. SANAA 511 ¶C. SANAA 398 Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull for Reasons 1.5 (b,d) ¶1. (S/NF) Begin Summary: The Ambassador convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on March 19 to assess threat information in light of further information on the shooting incident at the Hunt Oil facility in Marib (refs a, b and septel) and the Iraq contingency. Because the investigation into the Marib incident is ongoing, a determination of motive is premature (septel),as is a decision on any recommendation for authorized departure. EAC members decided to go to the StandFast stance at close of business March 20, which means that the Embassy will be closed, American employees must remain at their assigned StandFast locations (Embassy, residence or Alternate Command Center) and only cleared FSNs are allowed at the Embassy (ref c). Key offices and personnel represented at the meeting included: AMB, DCM, POL/ECON, CONS, ADMIN, PD, RSO, ORCA, OMC, SOC YEMEN and RMO. -------------- Update on Shootings in Marib -------------- ¶2. (S/NF) Embassy investigative team in Marib is receiving good cooperation from the Yemeni authorities and are continuing their investigation. Conflicting information about the perpetrator and an ongoing site visit to the crime scene mean that a motive is not yet determined. The injured Canadian was medevaced March 19 after successful surgery on March 18 that left him in stable condition. Embassy is providing assistance as needed. Details reported septel. -------------- Current Threat Information; StandFast 3/20 COB for Iraq Contingency -------------- ¶3. (S/NF) ORCA said there was no change to current threat information, but continued to recommend caution and indicated that a "lone wolf" attack scenario remains the most likely (ref a). SOC said the Central Security Organization had no indications of planned demonstrations. DAO reported that airport officials confirmed normal operations with no plans to close or curtail in the event of war in Iraq. EAC members discussed airlines continuing to operate. Pol/E reported that Emirates Airlines and Yemenia Airlines planned to continue operations. ¶4. (S/NF) EAC members discussed the current Centcom guidance on force protection condition. After a discussion of likely scenarios and opsec considerations, EAC agreed to move to a StandFast posture effective at close of business on March 20. ¶5. (S/NF) EAC decided to alert American employees about the StandFast decision immediately, while waiting until after the March 20 EAC meeting to alert FSNs via a DCM-hosted meeting. A declaration of StandFast means the immediate closure of the Embassy and curtailment of all but essential operations. American employees must remain at their assigned StandFast location (Embassy, residence or Alternate Command Center) and cannot travel without RSO permission. FSN access is severely limited to a list of essential employees updated daily by section heads via the RSO (ref c). ¶6. (C) The distribution of gas masks and atropine kits will be made March 19 by HU and FMO. ¶7. (S/NF) Because of the Marib incident of an employee being the killer and the issue of an exposed area for vehicle bomb checks in front of the Embassy, EAC decided to end parking privileges inside the compound for FSNs effective with the shift to StandFast. FSNs will be asked to park their cars along the barricaded median outside the Embassy wall to help block sightlines while vehicles are checked. After StandFast, the issue will be reviewed to decide whether to continue the practice or alter it. ¶8. (C) Admin made arrangements for supplies, including mattresses, sheets and toiletries, to be made available for those employees remaining in the Embassy during StandFast. The cafeteria will be open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekends. In addition, Admin has ensured that motorpool handled the change to travel via armored vehicles only during MoveSafe with DAO's able assistance. -------------- No Immediate Request for Authorized Departure -------------- ¶9. (C) Ambassador continued to ask EAC members to consider seriously whether Post should recommend a change to authorized departure status. Ambassador said that without a completed investigation and concrete information on motive for the Marib incident, the matter should be discussed again at the March 20 EAC. Section heads queried their staff to see if who would plan to leave under authorized departure. ADM, Pol/Econ, CONS and DAO indicated that none of their staff or spouses would plan on leaving under current circumstances. -------------- Warden Messages -------------- ¶10. (U) CONS reported that, per Department instruction, a Warden Message advising Americans to consider buying plane tickets in advance as a precautionary measure would be disseminated March 19. CONS will also work with other sections to continue close contact with the airlines and airport to stay up to date on available flights. HULL