TF1Z01: SANAA EAC MEETING MARCH 25

S E C R E T SANAA 000597 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: 03/25/2013 TAGS: ASEC AMGT PREL PTER CASC YM EAC COUNTER TERRORISM SUBJECT: TF1Z01: SANAA EAC MEETING MARCH 25 Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull, for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S/NF) The Ambassador convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) March 23 to discuss current threat information, security measures and Embassy security posture. No new threats were reported. EAC decided to move from MoveSafe to StandFast effective 3/27 at the close of business in anticipation of possible demonstrations on Friday after mosque sermons. Key offices and personnel represented at the meeting included: AMB, DCM, POL/ECON, CONS, ADMIN, PD, RSO, DATT, ORCA, OMC, SOC YEMEN and RMO. End Summary. -------------- No New Threats -------------- ¶2. (C) DATT briefed EAC on developments with the war in Iraq. Pol/Econ briefed on arrangements being made to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people. ¶3. (S/NF) ORCA reported no new threats. RSO said the Ministry of Interior had no information about upcoming demonstrations but that concern remained for a potential one on Friday after prayers. -------------- MoveSafe Posture for Non-official Americans -------------- ¶4. (S/NF) PSO Chief Gamish proposed to Ambassador March 24 that Yemeni security provide escorts to non-official expat Americans for any movements they want to make outside their home for the duration of the Iraq war. PSO proposed an operations center be established at or near the Embassy, to be staffed by PSO, Embassy and MOI personnel, to which Amcits could call when escorts are needed. Ambassador welcomed the idea. RSO, PSO and MOI met on March 25 to discuss implementation details and these will continue to be discussed. The arrangement would parallel existing Embassy MoveSafe system currently being used by official Americans. ¶5. (S/NF) PSO Chief Gamish also exchanged lists of expat Americans in Yemen with Ambassador. At EAC, CONS reported that the list of approximately 40 expat Amcits was comprehensive though changing every day as Amcits arrive and leave Yemen. -------------- Embassy Security Posture -------------- ¶6. (C) Barring any new threats arising, EAC decided to change security posture from MoveSafe to StandFast on Thursday, March 27 at COB in anticipation of possible demonstrations after Friday prayers. If no demonstrations or other threats arise, Embassy personnel would revert to MoveSafe posture at COB on Friday 3/28. -------------- Town hall Meeting 3/26: Discussion on Possible Authorized Departure -------------- ¶7. (C) Ambassador asked EAC members their opinion on requesting authorized departure status. He said that if anyone asks that we request it, Post will propose it to the Department. EAC members reported that no one in their sections had requested it. A town hall meeting will be held on March 26 for all official Americans to discuss authorized departure and to solicit views directly from staff. Post will also hold a warden meeting next week. HULL