EAC HELD IN RESPONSE TO LONDON EXPLOSIONS AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L MAPUTO 000858 SIPDIS STATE FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/IP/FPO, AF/EX, AF/S E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2010 TAGS: ASEC MZ PTER SUBJECT: EAC HELD IN RESPONSE TO LONDON EXPLOSIONS AND LOCAL GUARD STRIKE REF: A. A. SECSTATE 125943 ¶B. B. MAPUTO 00842 ¶C. C. MAPUTO 00850 ¶D. D. MAPUTO 00834 ¶E. E. MAPUTO 00846 ¶F. F. MAPUTO 00849 ¶1. In response to Ref A, an EAC meeting was held on July 8. The security posture at the Embassy and other U.S. agencies in Maputo is very poor due to the ongoing strike by many local guard force members. The strike is not aimed at the Embassy or the U.S., but because of the reduced number of guards, the U.S. Embassy is extremely vulnerable at the moment to any kind of attack. We have heard no reports indicating that any such attacks are planned. All but one entry door to the Chancery has been closed and this door now has a 24 hour guard. The Administrative Annex building located across the parking lot (to which the general public has access and uses as a walkway) is not open to visitors and is controlled by a cipher lock. During working hours, the FSN telephone operator has control of the mag controls of this entry door due to her excellent line of sight to all personnel attempting to enter. This entry door is magged by Post One after working hours. Surveillance detection teams have increased their observation of the area surrounding the Embassy. ¶2. In addition to discussing the London explosions, the EAC discussed the ongoing strike by many local guard members and ex-employees of Wackenhut. Information from Refs B through F was discussed. All residences had guard coverage last night, partly due to the 21 subcontracted guards Wackenhut hired. However, some guards continue to work consecutive 12 hour shifts. The U.S. Embassy and U.S.AID currently have 5 guards each versus the standard 13 and 10 guards. Peace Corps and Public Affairs offices currently have 2 guards each versus the standard 3 guards. CDC has been without its one guard for 28 hours; Wackenhut has been notified and is attempting to find a guard to stand post there. There is a permanent Mozambican police presence at the Embassy and COM residence, but they have not taken steps to prevent intimidation of guards. ¶3. The EAC discussed the possibility, and agreed to begin contingency planning for, increasing the security of the personnel working in the Administrative Annex but retaining only essential personnel or by moving personnel to available desks in the B&F Annex (located inside the fence with the Chancery). The Embassy closes at 1130 on Fridays, so this scenario will be discussed again at the EAC meeting scheduled for 0800, Monday, July 11. ¶4. Wackenhut officials are expected to meet with guard union representatives this morning at the Wackenhut headquarters which was cleared of strikers by the police. RSO sent an email on July 8 to all direct hire Americans informing them of the current situation and to again advise of personal security measures to be taken. Post One will send out an All Call radio message at 1000, July 9, to inform all direct hire Americans of the status of the guard strike. Dudley