TF1Z01: SANAA EAC MARCH 27

S E C R E T SANAA 000604 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: 03/27/2013 TAGS: ASEC AMGT PREL PTER CASC YM EAC COUNTER TERRORISM SUBJECT: TF1Z01: SANAA EAC MARCH 27 REF: SANAA 00602 Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull, for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S/NF) Begin Summary: The Ambassador convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on March 27 to assess Embassy posture in light of recent threat information (ref) and the possibility of uncontrolled demonstrations. Embassy went to StandFast posture on March 27 at the open of business as a precaution. The ROYG sponsored a peaceful anti-war demonstration on March 27 without incident. Key offices and personnel represented at the meeting included: AMB, DCM, POL/ECON, CONS, ADMIN, PD, RSO, ORCA, OMC, SOC YEMEN, FPD and RMO. End Summary -------------- Threat Information; Peaceful Demonstration Held 3/27 -------------- ¶2. (C) ORCA briefed EAC on threat information (ref). The government held a peaceful anti-war demonstration on 3/27 at 1000 in the center of Sanaa. It began at Tahrir Square and moved to the viewing stands at Old Airport Road (approximately 3 miles from Embassy). Post was informed of the demonstration by MOI and PSO on 3/26 and Yemeni television announced it last evening. Post sent a warden message early 3/27 to alert Americans to the demonstration and advise them to remain at home. ¶3. (C) Numbers were estimated at approximately 6000 demonstrators, and it ended peacefully by 1230. Yemeni religious figures (ulema) led the procession -- a conscious effort, according to the PSO, to pre-empt any effort to stage unauthorized demonstrations following Friday prayers on 3/28. ¶4. (C) ROYG authorities told Post no/no requests for authorized demonstrations were received for 3/28. -------------- StandFast; Authorized Departure -------------- ¶5. (C) Post went on StandFast posture March 27 at the opening of business and will revert to MoveSafe at close of business March 28 unless circumstances warrant continuing StandFast. EAC discussed authorized departure. HULL