AL-HILLAH 6/26/06 EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 002293

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/ITA, NEA/EX
BAGHDAD FOR RSO, POL, AND NCT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2016
TAGS: ASEC AMER PTER IZ
SUBJECT: AL-HILLAH 6/26/06 EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE
MEETING

REF: TD-314/44937-06 DATED 6/26/06

Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel V. Speckhard for R
easons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) NOTE: Due to technical problems at REO Al-Hillah,
Embassy Baghdad is transmitting this cable. END NOTE.


2. (SBU) The Regional Coordinator (RC) convened the Core
Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on June 26 to discuss threat
information related to REO Al-Hillah. In attendance were the
RC, the RSO, the Deputy Babil PRT Team Leader, the U.S. Army
LNO, the Blackwater DPM, and representatives from local ORA
and the U.S. Army Special Troops Battalion resident on the
REO compound.


3. (S/NF) The information set forth in the REF was reviewed,
and all EAC members agreed that the specified threat should
be deemed credible. The EAC agreed that the REO's defenses
are adequate to defend against a VBIED threat at either of
the two access points, but more defensive depth would enhance
the ability to defend against pedestrian suicide bombers.
The following additional measures have been or will be
implemented immediately:

-- Per a meeting between RSO/Core EAC members and local
police officials on 6/27/06, it was agreed that permanent
police checkpoints would be added at least 50 meters in front
of the REO's two gates (within view of the REO's existing
guard posts) in order to provide an initial screening
capability for all pedestrians approaching either gate. One
post already has been put in place, and another should be
forthcoming shortly.

-- A vehicle-mounted internal Quick Reaction Force (QRF) has
been stood up 24/7 until further notice. This QRF can
reinforce either gate with a crew-served weapon in less than
one minute in the event of an attack.

-- Because the REO's two gates are not built to anti-ram
standards, blocker vehicles have been parked across their
internal axis to supplement the protection already provided
by external Delta Barriers. This historically nighttime
measure now will be implemented 24/7.

-- The REO's Army LNO will maintain contact with appropriate
entities to facilitate targeting of the hostile elements in
question at the earliest opportunity.


4. (U) The RSO will forward further relevant developments to
all addressees as appropriate. The EAC point-of-contact at
REO Al-Hillah is RSO Kevin Sisbarro.
Khalilzad