THE GAMBIA: EXECUTION OF SADDAM HUSSEIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000778

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SECSTATE FOR AF/W, P, M, DS, S/CT, CA, INR; DAKAR PLS PASS
RAO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2016
TAGS: ASEC PTER PGOV PHUM CASC KAWC KJUS IZ GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: EXECUTION OF SADDAM HUSSEIN

REF: STATE 203664

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (C AND D)


1. (C) In response to reftel, Ambassador convened EAC
meeting December 29 to review the security posture of the
Embassy and the private Amcit community in light of the
anticipated execution of Saddam Hussein. EAC members agreed
that Hussein's execution was not/not likely to generate much
interest in The Gambia, where Iraqi and other Mideast issues
generally have received minimal attention from the public.
The tiny Lebanese-origin community can be expected to follow
Mideast developments with greater interest than the populace
in general, but that community remains peaceful and has not
reacted to past controversial Mideast events by staging
anti-U.S. activities.


2. (C) Hence, there was consensus among EAC members that
Hussein's execution was not likely to generate threats to
U.S. interests here or otherwise have a significant impact on
the currently low threat environment in The Gambia. EAC
members further agreed that the current security posture of
the Embassy and private Amcit community remained appropriate
and that there was no need for issuance of a warden message.


3. (C) However, EAC members concurred that continued close
monitoring of the local security environment was imperative
with a view to adjusting the security posture as required.

STAFFORD