Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03SANAA805
2003-04-17 08:18:00
SECRET
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:  

TF1Z01: SANAA EAC MEETING APRIL 16

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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000805 

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: 04/17/2013
TAGS: ASEC AMGT PREL PTER CASC YM EAC COUNTER TERRORISM
SUBJECT: TF1Z01: SANAA EAC MEETING APRIL 16

Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull, for Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000805

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: 04/17/2013
TAGS: ASEC AMGT PREL PTER CASC YM EAC COUNTER TERRORISM
SUBJECT: TF1Z01: SANAA EAC MEETING APRIL 16

Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull, for Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (S/NF) Summary: The Ambassador convened an Emergency
Action Committee (EAC) meeting on April 16 to assess Embassy
security posture and threat information. The EAC decided to
return to normal operations on April 19, and to formally
request the cancellation of authorized departure -- to
include the return of dependents to post. End summary.


2. (S/NF) Key offices and personnel represented at the
4/16 EAC meeting included: ADMIN, AMB, CONS, DCM, FPD, OMC,
ORCA, PD, POL/ECON, RMO and SOC YEMEN.


3. (S/NF) ORCA reported no new threat information.


4. (S/NF) RSO reported that there is no information on
planned demonstrations this weekend. RSO will monitor the
situation and alert the Embassy community as warranted.

--------------
Imminent Suspension of MoveSafe Light
--------------


5. (C) Noting the end of major combat operations in Iraq,
A/DCM raised two issues for EAC's consideration: ending
MoveSafe Lite and returning to normal operations; and
formally requesting an end to authorized departure. RSO
reported a request from the Ministry of Interior (MOI) for
USG personnel to maintain the current level of security
practices for 4-5 more days. MOI recognizes that the
situation in Yemen is improving considering the events in the
region, but feels that a few more days of heightened security
will allow for a greater easing of Yemeni popular opinion.


6. (S/NF) Regarding possible threats to the community, EAC
discussed an MOI report of a road incident in which shots
were fired at a Jordanian diplomat. While the Jordanians
believe their diplomat was specifically targeted, eye witness
statements describe a vehicular confrontation ending in
gunfire -- one shot fired into the air and one into the
Jordanian's car. The shot into the car impacted away from
the Jordanian diplomat. His vehicle did not have diplomatic

plates. The MOI is assessing this episode as a road-rage
incident.


7. (C) Unless credible new threat information becomes
available, EAC agreed to go off of MoveSafe Lite on Saturday,
April 19.

--------------
Cancellation of Authorized Departure
--------------


8. (C) Referring to an April 15 meeting in Washington to
review the status of posts in the Gulf, A/DCM noted that the
Department welcomes recommendations from posts in the region
on whether to continue with authorized/ordered departure.


9. (C) EAC decided to formally request the lifting of
authorized departure (AD) with attendees noting the
following:

-- Informal polling of embassy personnel revealed general
support for lifting AD because no one at post has used it;
however, several post personnel have mentioned a perceived
disconnect between returning to regular staffing while
maintaining increased security.

-- Addressing the "disconnect", attendees noted that
increased security and use of armored vehicles has brought
post to its target security posture. This security will
remain in place, even while ending AD, to deter future
threats.

-- AD complicates the day-to-day life of a mission, in
particular with respect to travel of personnel to and from
post, and, if no longer required by local and regional
circumstances, should be discontinued as soon as possible.

--------------
Return of Dependents
--------------

10. (C) Turning to the issue of dependents at post, EAC
members noted that a year ago, given circumstances in Yemen,
the Department decided to allow spouses but no minor
dependents to return to post. With regional circumstances
changing after the end of combat operations in Iraq - and
with improving security conditions in Yemen - EAC members
agreed to request that in conjunction with the lifting of
authorized departure, the Department also approve the return
of minor dependents to Sanaa -- as it presumably may be doing
for other posts in the region.

11. (C) Foreigners in Yemen have been targeted no more than
at other posts in the region, and heightened security
measures and ROYG's continued cooperation have been
effective. The Department's concurrence on the return of
dependents to post in the near future would also give
families the chance to make preparations without interfering
with their children's education.

--------------
Escape of Ten Suspected Terrorists
--------------


12. (S/NF) EAC also discussed the security implications of
the escape of 10 suspected al-Qaida terrorists from a ROYG
facility in Aden with FPD rep raising the possibility that
these 10 could pose an increased threat. Noting that the USG
was principally interested in 2 of the 10 for further
investigation and prosecution, ORCA indicated that the other
8 are not key terrorist activists, while they still merit
observation. ROYG is committed to the swift apprehension of
the 10 and is working closely with the USG.

HULL