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