SANAA EAC MEETING 20 APRIL 2005

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000998

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: 04/20/2015
TAGS: AMGT ASEC PREL PTER EAC COUNTER TERRORISM
SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING 20 APRIL 2005

REF: A. SANAA 968

B. SANAA 955

C. SANAA 912

D. SANAA 896

E. SANAA 895

F. SANAA 891

G. SANAA 883

H. SANAA 882

I. SANAA 876

J. SANAA 875

K. SANAA 863

L. SANAA 860

M. SANAA 836

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

1.(S/NF) Begin Summary: The Ambassador convened an EAC
meeting on April 20, 2005 to review the current threat,
ongoing security measures and discuss changes in travel
restriction policies. Although there continues to be reports
of violence in the Saada region, the RSO reported that Chief
of Staff, Brigadier General Sunidar of the Ministry of
Interior opined, earlier in the day, that the security
environment was appropriate for resumption of travel
throughout Yemen. According to BG Sunidar, several persons
suspected of being associated with Al-Huthi and the Saada
insurrection had been arrested throughout Yemen. As a result
of the arrests, BG Sunidar stated his belief that grenade
attacks will be less likely throughout the country. The EAC
agreed that current threat indicators point to a relatively
safer environment and call for a relaxing of travel
restrictions for embassy employees and the American
community. However,
the Ambassador cautioned that everyone should continue
security measures recommended previously by the EAC to
include variance of routes and routines. Key offices and
personnel represented at the meeting included: AMB, DCM, DAT,
FPD, IPC, MO, LEGATT, POLE, RMAS, OMC, RSO, CONS, PD and
USAID. End Summary.



2. (S/NF) Regarding the threat assessment, RMAS advised
that another key member of the group per REFTELs, involved in
planning attacks against Americans had been arrested. The
RSO advised the EAC that during his conversation with BG
Sunidar, the General stated that the threat which
precipitated the closing of the American Embassy, was
exaggerated and that no arrests had ever been made.
Furthermore, BG Sunidar said that Yemen had never been safer.
(Comment: The EAC expressed surprise that BG Sunidar
believed no arrests had been made considering the fact that
President Saleh advised Ambassador Krajeski earlier in the
month, that arrests had been made. End Comment.)


3. (S/NF) The RSO advised the EAC that he met with several
non-governmental organizations who have offices in Tourist
City, located directly across from
the Embassy. The organization attending the meeting
discussed their security concerns and solicited security
advice from the RSO. The committee agreed to form a more
formal emergency action team that would meet periodically
with the RSO in the future to ensure better security focus
and received a commitment from the RSO to provide security
surveys for their office spaces in the near future. RSO
noted that the NGO meeting included recommendations for:
Perimeter security; Upgrades in access control; Guard
training; and Security policy development.


4. (SBU) The Management Officer briefed the EAC on the
difficulties involved with requests from embassy dependents
who are requesting travel to other danger posts for their
selected safe havens while on authorized departure status.
A discussion followed on measures the embassy could take to
obtain clarification on the matter, due to the fact that two
dependents have requested alternative safe havens.


5. (S/NF) The EAC discussed whether or not to continue the
security measures currently in place. The DCM pointed out
that the British Embassy sent out a warden message recently
that advised that, with the exception of the Saada area, they
were relaxing travel restrictions in Yemen. The EAC agreed
that due to the information available it did appear that the
arrests of the persons planning attacks against Americans and
the arrests of Al Huthi followers, has diminished the threat
to Americans in country. The EAC unanimously agreed to relax
travel restrictions for the embassy and to send out a warden
message to that effect. The EAC agreed also to advise
Americans to continue to practice good security measures of
varying times and routes of travel. The EAC agreed to meet to
discuss whether and when to request the lifting of authorized
departure status during the next EAC meeting.

6. (SBU) The EAC decided to reconvene immediately
following the Country Team Meeting at 1430 hours, on Sunday,
April 24, 2005 to discuss the issues of
authorized departure and the security situation.
Krajeski