EXPIRATION OF AUTHORIZED DEPARTURE FOR AMERICAN

S E C R E T SANAA 001126 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/01/2015 TAGS: AMGT ASEC PREL PTER EAC SUBJECT: EXPIRATION OF AUTHORIZED DEPARTURE FOR AMERICAN EMBASSY SANAA REF: A. SANAA 955 ¶B. SANAA 881 ¶C. SANAA 896 Classified By: CDA Nabeel Khoury, for reasons 1.4 (b) (c) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is an action request; see para 6. ¶2. (SBU) Based on the recommendations of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC),Ambassador requests that the Department not extend Authorized Departure beyond the current expiration date. ¶3. (SBU) The EAC unanimously agreed that Post's security situation is reflective of Reverse Trip Wires, as reported in REFTEL A. Therefore, EAC members unanimously agree that the security situation, particularly in reference to the specific threat that instigated our request for AD, has improved to the extent necessary to support an EAC recommendation that Authorized Departure end. ¶4. (S/NF) A delineation of the EAC findings includes: ¶A. No new credible, specific non-counterable threats: Kanaan, the terrorist who was the source of the specific threat that led to Post's request for Authorized Departure (Ref B),has now been captured along with several of his colleagues. There is no new information that post knows of that poses a credible specific threat at this time. ¶B. EAC, applauding responsiveness of ROYG security apparatus to Embassy needs, feels that ROYG has and is deploying sufficient resources to adequately protect American personnel and assets in Yemen. ¶C. EAC concurs with RSO and MOI that travel in Yemen, with sufficient coordination through the RSO, can meet reasonable security standards for USG essential and non-essential travel. ¶D. EAC members agree that acts of violence resulting from the spillover related to Saada fighting do not pose a significant risk to Americans at this time or for the foreseeable future that would be mitigated by continuation of Authorized Departure. ¶5. (SBU) The EAC recognizes the need for continued vigilance regarding security policies and practices that protect lives in Yemen's critical security threat. To that end, the EAC will recommend to USG personnel and to the broader American community, via a new Wardens message, that they remain vigilant, exercise caution in traveling throughout Yemen and continue to vary routes and routines in their home-to-office movements. ¶6. (U) Embassy requests approval/guidance from the Department on this matter. Krajeski