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