SANAA EAC MEETING 03/24/2004

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000685 SIPDIS NOFORN DS/DSS, DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, S/CT, NEA, NEA/ ARP, NEA/EX, NEA/P, CA, CENTCOM FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/24/2014 TAGS: AMGT ASEC PREL PTER EAC SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING 03/24/2004 REF: SECSTATE 64477 Classified By: RSO Tim Laas, for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). Classified By: Ambassador Edmund J. Hull, for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D) ¶1. (C) Begin Summary: The Ambassador convened an EAC meeting on March 24th, 2004, to review the security situation in regard to potential tensions in the region as a result of the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. EAC members noted no specific threats but recommended that the American community lower its profile over the weekend due to the potential for harsh rhetoric Friday within local mosques. The Embassy issued a warden message warning the American community to lower its profile and avoid non- essential travel. This week the RSO conducted and Embassy wide duck and cover and safe haven drill, along with an emergency notification exercise. RSO assets will monitor the streets of Sanaa for potential security problems over the next several days. The American community remains in a high state of security awareness even in the absence of specific threat against Americans or the Embassy. Key offices and personnel represented included: CONS, DAO, FPD, MSG, MO, OMC, ORCA, PD, POL/ECON, SOCE-Yemen, and RSO END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Ambassador referred EAC members to a Department of State threat advisory explaining that the death of Palestinian Hamas leader Sheikh Yassin has caused significant upheaval throughout the Middle East and that various groups may seize on this event to conduct attacks particularly in the occupied territories, and possibly in other locations within the Middle East and North Africa. The recent threat advisory also stated that Hamas has implicated the United States in Sheik Hassin's assassination and has called on Muslims to retaliate against Americans which would indicate a significant departure from in message for Palestinian terrorist groups. ¶3. (C) The DCM noted that recent government sponsored demonstrations did not contain inflammatory speeches denouncing the United States and there were no calls to target Americans. ¶4. (C) RSO indicated that the government has expressed its concern about the security situation at the Embassy and that senior members of the Central Security Organization (CSO) have recently visited the Embassy to personally inspect the perimeter. The RSO also conveyed to the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) the Embassy's need for increased vigilance at the Sheraton Hotel, the Yemen American Language Institute (YALI),and Haddah Compound. Managers responsible for security of YALI, Haddah compound and the Sheraton Hotel have been briefed on the security situation. ¶5. (C) Community members participated in an emergency notification exercise using the emergency and evacuation radio network and telephone tree. Additionally, the entire Embassy participated in a duck and cover drill and safe haven training exercise during the week of March 21-27, ¶2004. ¶6. (U) SEPTEL reports media and ROYG reaction to the Yassim assassination. -------------- Post Advisory Actions -------------- ¶6. (C) Following the EAC meeting the Embassy issued a warden message mirroring the State Department travel restriction announcement for civilian travelers to the region. The EAC members agreed that Embassy sponsored trips should be postponed until after Friday's religious services when the security situation will be reevaluated. The Ambassador advised Embassy personnel to maintain a low profile, avoid mosques and large gatherings, and minimize their movements over the weekend. HULL