SANAA EAC MEETING 04/17/2005

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000968 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: 04/18/2015 TAGS: AMGT ASEC PREL PTER EAC COUNTER TERRORISM SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING 04/17/2005 REF: A. SANAA 955 ¶B. SANAA 912 ¶C. SANAA 896 ¶D. SANAA 895 ¶E. SANAA 891 ¶F. SANAA 883 ¶G. SANAA 882 ¶H. SANAA 876 ¶I. SANAA 875 ¶J. SANAA 863 ¶K. SANAA 860 ¶L. SANAA 836 Classified By: RSO Timothy Laas for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (S/NF) Begin Summary: The Ambassador convened a general EAC meeting on April 17, 2005, to review the current threat assessment and to consider changes to post travel restrictions. The EAC determined that the threat condition remains as described in reftel A, with no specific information suggesting any major changes. The committee determined that requests for official in-country travel will be examined and approved by post on a case-by-case basis. The committee further decided to continue with restrictions on Embassy personnel visiting parts of the downtown area, but will consider lower restrictions on direct-hire employee movement within Sana'a at the next EAC meeting. Key offices and personnel represented at the meeting included: AMB, DCM, DATT, FPD, IPC, MO, LEGATT, POL/E, RMAS, OMC, RSO, CONS, PD, and USAID. End Summary. ¶2. (S/NF) RSO provided information regarding an incident the evening of April 15 of an attempted detonation of a string of 15 grenades by unknown individuals in northeast Sana'a. Although the facts are unclear, MOI has suggested that the incident was related to an ongoing land dispute in the neighborhood and is unrelated to the other recent grenade attacks on ROYG security personnel. RSO also mentioned unconfirmed reports in the press of the shooting of an armed Yemeni national by local police near an NSB office building. RSO also noted the absence of surveillance detection incidents since the last EAC on 13 April. ¶3. (S/NF) In considering amendments to current restrictions on in-country travel, the EAC discussed the various means by which potential travel is examined for security considerations, as well as Post's concern regarding ROYG clearances for mission travel requests, especially as regards possible lapses in communication between MOI, MFA, and other ROYG agencies. The EAC concluded that, given the current threat environment, it is appropriate to begin assessing and approving official in-country travel for mission personnel on a case-by-case basis. All travel requests under consideration will continue to be reviewed and approved through RSO prior to submission to MFA/MOI. MO reiterated that any travel plans for individuals originating from outside of Yemen will require Departmental consent as long as post remains under Authorized Departure. ¶4. (S/NF) Turning to the question of in-city restrictions for Embassy staff within Sana'a, the EAC reviewed current policy, which provides for limited movement for American staff but disallows travel to the Old City and other parts of downtown Sana'a. The EAC concluded that, given the uncertainty regarding the grenade incident on April 15, further monitoring and assessment is required before post revises this policy. As such, restrictions on unnecessary travel to the downtown parts of Sana'a will remain in place pending the EAC's reassessment on Wednesday. ¶5. (S/NF) The EAC reviewed concerns stemming from recent events in Sa'ada. OMC and RSO expressed some concern that displaced fighters from the Sa'ada region, having been stymied in Sa'ada, may attempt to target security installations and individuals in Sana'a, and that US military personnel may be at risk of direct or incidental attack. CCE-Y explained that its staff is maintaining an extremely low profile and are traveling in unmarked vehicles to mitigate the possibility of being targeted. ¶6. (SBU) The Ambassador and RSO reasserted the importance of ensuring that all American staff continue to adhere to good security practices, particularly varying the times and routes used to go between home and the Embassy. EAC members were instructed to advise their colleagues of the importance of these practices. ¶7. (SBU) The committee confirmed that a subsequent EAC meeting would be held Wednesday, April 20, at 2:30 PM. Krajeski