SECOND EAC HELD IN RESPONSE TO GUARD STRIKE

UNCLAS MAPUTO 000850 SIPDIS STATE FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/IP/FPO, AF/EX, AF/S E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC MZ SUBJECT: SECOND EAC HELD IN RESPONSE TO GUARD STRIKE REF: A. A. MAPUTO 00834 ¶B. B. MAPUTO 00842 ¶C. C. MAPUTO 00846 ¶1. Post Emergency Action Committee (EAC) convened on July 7, 2005, its second meeting in two days, to discuss local guard force members striking. Information from Refs A and C was shared with the EAC. The RSO gave a brief update on the latest known information concerning the strike which has entered its third day. Since 300 strikers continue to block the Wackenhut headquarters and because many of the guards who went on strike took the Wackenhut issued radios with them, Wackenhut has shut down its radio network which in turn shuts down the automatic alarm response system in all residences. Wackenhut has installed a land line to its control room in its temporary headquarters which an individual can telephone in case of emergency. This telephone number was distributed during the EAC meeting and will be passed to all direct hire Americans via the daily security update email. CDC sent home its one guard for rest during the day after he worked consecutive shifts. U.S.AID is operating at 20% its normal guard staff. Public Affairs and Peace Corps offices are operating at 66% their normal guard staff. The Chancery was operating at 25% of its normal guard staff when, two hours into the day shift, 3 additional guards appeared wanting to work but not in uniform due to the continued roaming groups of strikers who are now threatening physical harm to any Wackenhut guard seen working. The Chancery guards are working in civilian clothes. The EAC concurred that Consular would cancel its normal nonimmigrant visa appointments on July 7 but would handle any emergency visas and 6 visa applications of local mayors due to leave Mozambique July 8 on an International Visitors program. In addition, Consular would offer emergency American Citizen Services. Due to the lack of guards and thus the inability to properly screen visitors, the Embassy, U.S.AID, CDC, and the Public Affairs and Peace Corps offices are open and operational but are not accepting visitors until the guard services are increased to an acceptable level. Dudley