DISCUSSING SECURITY IN DJIBOUTI: OUR RESPONSE TO

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