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