CAIRO EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING 12/13/05

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 009294

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, NEA/EX, NEA/ELA, AND CA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2015
TAGS: AEMR AMED AMGT ASEC EG KFLO PTER EAC
SUBJECT: CAIRO EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING 12/13/05

REF: A. SECSTATE 223695

B. CAIRO 08947

C. CAIRO 08073

D. SECSTATE 219189

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Stuart E. Jones for reasons 1.4 (
d) and (g)


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On December 13, 2005, DCM convened a
meeting of the full EAC to discuss the worldwide public
announcement issued by the Department of State (Ref A),the
current threat situation in Egypt (Ref B),Post tripwires
regarding Avian Influenza (AI),the ongoing Emergency Action
Plan (EAP) update and the issuance of security policies for
travel at night and the Post firearm policy. Representatives
from RSO, CONS, ECPO, MGT, RMO, IMO, LOC, LEGATT, ORA, OMC,
DAO, NAMRU, USAID, CLO, FAS, PA and FCS attended.


2. (S/NF) The DCM opened the meeting by drawing attention to
the worldwide caution that was issued by the Department of
State (Ref A) and eliciting comments. While the caution
highlighted threat to U.S. citizens and interest overseas,
RSO drew attention to the fact that the Middle East was named
as one of the regions being targeted by Al Qa'ida. RSO
stated that no specific or credible information on Egypt
targeting is known at this time. SIMO concurred that the
current threat reporting in Egypt is of a general nature,
adding that the Government of Egypt (GOE) is fully aware of
threat information and proactively attempting to counteract
terrorist elements in the country. SIMO stated that as
discussed in the last core EAC, the situation in the Sinai is
stable despite the general threats to Hurghada and that since
the attacks in Sharm el Sheikh the GOE has increased
visibility, successfully dealt with subversive groups and
reinforced security forces in heavily visited tourist areas.
SIMO reports no credible evidence to support the vague
warnings reported in Israeli media advising Israelis not to
visit the Sinai, but also report the GOE is aware and their
proactive measures are sufficient for the resort areas in the
Sinai. OMC stated the USDR, in collaboration with relevant
Embassy offices, has reevaluated its threat level in Egypt
and has down graded from force protection level Charlie to
Bravo with select Charlie measures in place. Both RSO and
SIMO agreed that the current posture of the Mission and the
Egyptian Government is appropriate for the known threat level
and that both are prepared to intensify measures should that
become necessary. CONS is retransmitting the Worldwide
Public Announcement through the Egypt warden system.


3. (C) The DCM noted that the Public Announcement for Egypt
had expired per the EAC recommendation (Ref C). CONS stated
that guidance contained in the Consular Information Sheet
(CIS) is appropriate and constantly updated to reflect the
situation in Egypt. ECPO highlighted that, despite the end
of elections, opposition groups were being allowed to protest
by the GOE. ECPO cited a demonstration of approximately 600
that occurred December 12, 2005, stating that while it is
encouraging to see the GOE permitting democratic protest,
protests still have the potential to disrupt traffic and/or
turn violent. RSO stressed that any information received from
the GOE regarding demonstrations would be passed on to the
Mission community so that such demonstration could be voided.



4. (SBU) Closing the discussion on the threat situation, the
DCM addressed the Post preparations for the possible Avian
Influenza outbreak (Ref D). RMO disseminated a draft list of
tripwires the Avian Influenza Working Group had prepared,
noting that Post's current position was at tripwire zero
which encourages Mission personnel to have a seven day supply
of food, water, and medicine on hand. RMO stated that should
cases of the AI be found in surrounding countries the EAC
should revisit the actions Post should take. The DCM stated
that the AI tripwires would be a living document continually
modified by Post and that all section heads should stress to
their personnel the general tenets of emergency preparation
overseas not just in relation to AI.


5. (C) As the final agenda topic the RSO distributed two
updated security notices. The updated Mission's Firearms
Policy was distributed. The DCM emphasized responsibility
associated with carrying a firearm, for sport or official
use, and that the misuse of a firearm is grounds for removal
from Post. The general safety hazards associated with
traveling after dark in Egypt has led the EAC to re-address
night time travel outside of greater Cairo. RSO stressed
that night time travel outside of the greater Cairo area, as
delineated in the security notice, is prohibited due to the
dangerous road conditions and hazards presented by other
drivers. Several members of the EAC raised the concern that
at times there is an operational need to travel outside of
greater Cairo during hour of darkness. The DCM stated that
such instances could be coordinated with RSO as they arose,
with mission criticality and common sense the key to
approval. The DCM again stressed that section heads are
responsible for ensuring that their personnel understand and
comply with all mission policies and encouraged everyone to
set aside a few minutes at their next staff meeting to review
with their personnel the two updated policies.

6. (SBU) The DCM noted that the holiday travel season is upon
us and as such so is the need to ensure that those traveling
during the holidays leave behind contact information. Each
Section is responsible for knowing where their personnel are
during the holiday and more importantly how to contact them
should the need arise. The DCM encouraged section heads to
lead by example by leaving contact information with the front
office if they were traveling. On a final note, the DCM
reminded the EAC that the requested updates to the EAP are
due by the end of the week to RSO. Once updated, the EAC
will have the opportunity to review the updated EAP prior to
the upcoming Crisis Management Exercise in 2/06.


JONES