UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001572

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC CMGT CASC AMGT APER SA ZP ZR DJ
SUBJECT: DISCUSSING SECURITY IN DJIBOUTI: OUR RESPONSE TO
JEDDAH

1.(U)SUMMARY: On 12/7/04 and 12/8/04 the Ambassador called
meetings with all Embassy staff and available American
wardens to discuss recent events at the U.S. Consulate in
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. All attendees were reminded that both
Foreign Service Nationals and Americans are considered
targets for terrorists, and they were urged to remain
vigilant about both personal and Embassy security. END
SUMMARY


2. (U) On 12/7 The Ambassador convened a meeting of
Americans, FSNs and available wardens to share information
about the Jeddah consulate attacks and to show unity with
colleagues who were injured or killed. After a moment of
silence, she emphasized the importance of security for
Mission personnel and the American community. She invited
the Regional Security Officer (RSO) to speak and to provide
follow-up for members of the American community concerned
about safety issues.


3. (U) The RSO told the assembly that the security posture
in Djibouti has not changed and that a threat of terrorist
action remains. He reminded Americans and local staff to
practice extreme vigilance. The RSO said that vehicles are
frequently used in attacks against American interests and
that surveillance generally takes place for some period of
time before an attack. He underscored that suspicious
activity should be immediately reported to the Embassy
Security Staff.


4. (U) On 12/8 the Ambassador called a second meeting to
share additional details of the attack. She read the names
of the dead and injured from the attack, including the
positions they occupied at CG Jeddah, focusing staff
attention on how terrorist attacks could impact a broad
section of mission operations, not only local guards. She
reiterated the importance of personal security measures. The
Ambassador advised Americans in the audience that the
Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to defer
travel to Saudi Arabia and said that the Travel Warning for
Saudi Arabia urges private Americans currently there to
depart.


5. (U) During this second meeting, the RSO described, in
general terms, the attack itself, reporting that several
people stormed the Embassy compound "using vehicles,
explosives and small arms fire to inflict as much damage and
loss of life as possible." He reiterated the need for
vigilance, teamwork and attention to security procedures and
informed the Embassy staff that he would be meeting with
each section individually over the next week to review these
procedures.


7. (U) Minutes of these two meetings were forwarded, for
information purposes, to wardens who were unable to attend.

Ragsdale