DJIBOUTI: RESPONSE TO GLOBAL SECURITY ASSESSMENT

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000977

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR DS, DS/DSS, DS/C, DS/C/PSP, DS/IP, DS/IP/AF

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI: RESPONSE TO GLOBAL SECURITY ASSESSMENT

REF: STATE 151051


1. (SBU) Per REFTEL, RSO submits the following responses for
American Embassy Djibouti. Narratives are keyed to paragraph
four. Criteria ratings are denoted in parentheses.


A. Physical Security Upgrades (1) ) Post has recently
increased its physical security posture by using concrete
barriers and delta anti-ram barriers, but the lack of setback
still remains the primary vulnerability. Post is due to
break ground on a new NEC in 2007. Due to Post,s small
size, all agencies are collocated on the Embassy compound.


B. Chemical/Biological(C/B) Protection (1) ) Post has taken
protective measures in accordance with Department
regulations. RSO recommends that the department research and
invest in a standard and portable mail-handling container.


C. Technical Security Upgrades (2) ) RSO has no technical
recommendations. However, RSO would like to recommend
baseline technical training for RSOs assigned to lock and
leave facilities. Most lock and leave facilities are
constituent Posts for SEOs and when systems fail it takes
time for the SEO to arrive to Post leaving the facility
vulnerable. In addition, there are many small technical
issues that an RSO could probably fix on his or her own with
just a little training subsequently saving the USG, the
Department, Post, the RSO and SEOs time and money.


D. Armored Vehicle Program (3) ) Post has sufficient armored
vehicle assets. Unfortunately, current assets are inadequate
for environments in underdeveloped countries. Extreme weather
conditions, poorly maintained roads, non improved surfaces,
narrow streets, lack of properly trained technicians and lack
of replacement parts all add up to a vehicle platform that is
used approximately 50% of the time. RSO recommends that an
alternative to the Suburban 4X4 armored platform be fielded
in the same manner in which the Department acquired and
fielded the armored BMW sedans.


E. Guard Programs (2) ) Although the Guard Program is by far
the best security investment Post has, it is also by far one
of the most time and money consuming programs the RSO
manages. Without constant supervision and motivation the
Guard Force loses its effectiveness and becomes a
vulnerability rather than a security measure. RSO recommends
that at a Post where there is no ARSO a local program manager
be hired at a grade level commensurate with the intelligence
and experience required to handle the complexities of the
culture and the logistics and administrative issues. This
would free up the RSO to concentrate on greater security
concerns such as Emergency preparedness, counter-intelligence
and counter-terrorism.


F. Surveillance Detection (2) ) RSO recommendation in
paragraph &E8 would also apply to the SD program.


G. Residential Security (2) ) Although the Residential
Security program has been effective in mitigating a criminal
threat, the regulations and applications of security measures
should be updated to take into consideration the increasing
threat of terrorism against residential targets.


H. Soft Targets (1) - RSO has no specific recommendations.


I. Briefing Programs (1) ) Post supports arrival and
refresher briefings.


J. ATA assistance programs (1) ) Without a doubt, the best
counter-terrorism initiative at Post.


K. Emergency Management Programs (2) ) RSO has no specific
recommendations other than those already being addressed.


L. RSO Training (2) ) RSO recommends training as outlined in
paragraph &C8.


2. (U) POC Is RSO Marc Ramos at 253-35-39-95.
RAGSDALE