SANAA EAC MEETING 04/08/2005

S E C R E T SANAA 000883

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DS/DSS, DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, S/CT, NEA, NEA/
ARP, NEA/EX, NEA/P, CA, CENTCOM FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2015
TAGS: AMGT ASEC PREL PTER EAC
SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING 04/08/2005

REF: A. SANAA 882

B. SANAA 876

C. SANAA 875

D. SANAA 863

E. SANAA 860

F. SANAA 836

Classified By: Classified by RSO Timothy Laas for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d)


1. (S/NF) Summary: The Charge d' Affaires (CDA) convened a
core EAC meeting at 1400 hours, on April 08, 2005, to review
posts security profile. Based on the review the EAC decided
to adhere to the security measures delineated in the 7 April
2005, EAC reported REFTEL A. Key offices and personnel
represented at the meeting included: CDA, DAO, FBI, FPD, IPC,
OMC, POLE, RSO, RMAS.


2. (S/NF) The EAC discussed the mixed intelligence messages
regarding the threat and decided it was prudent to continue
with security measures outlined in REFTEL A. EAC members
noted concerns that this particular threat, if delayed and
not diffused, would continue to pre-occupy key mission
personnel for the medium term.


3. (S/NF) Additionally, the EAC noted added concern for
the security profile at post because of guerrilla style
grenade attacks against military personnel and vehicles in
downtown Sanaa over the past few weeks: Recent reports
indicate the likelihood that attacks are related to the
ongoing insurrection in Saada. The CDA stated that in his
meeting on 7 April 2005 with the Minister of Interior, the
Minister seemed to soften on his insistence that previous
grenade attacks in Old City Sanaa, were isolated criminal
acts. The MOI conceded that attacks may well be related to
the fighting in Saada.


4. (S/NF) EAC members stated that for the foreseeable future
the security situation in Yemen is not likely to improve due
to the spill-over of violence from Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
The EAC believes that for the long term security policies and
practices will need to address the realities of extremism in
Yemen, speculating that Yemen may rapidly change from a
transiting point to an operational theater for extremists.


5. (SBU) The EAC decided to reconvene an expanded EAC
meeting on Saturday, 9 April 2005, at 1400 hours, to review
the security situation and the need for another Town Hall
meeting to further inform the broader American Community.
Khoury