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