REO BASRAH EAC MEETING ON 10/06/06

C O N F I D E N T I A L BASRAH 000159 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR DS/DSS, DS/IP/NEA, DS/ITA/NEA,NEA/WEX E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/6/2016 TAGS: ASEC PTER AMGT IZ SUBJECT: REO BASRAH EAC MEETING ON 10/06/06 REF: A) BASRAH 154 B) BAGHDAD 3559 CLASSIFIED BY: Bryan T. Bachmann, RSO, REO Basrah, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (g) ¶1. (C) The Regional Coordinator (RC) chaired a meeting of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on October 6, 2006, to discuss the latest indirect fire (IDF) attacks against the Regional Embassy Office (REO) and the general security situation. The EAC was prompted by almost daily IDF and mortar attacks on the REO. Attending the meeting were the Regional Security Officer, Management Officer, and representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Triple Canopy, Strategic Counter-Intelligence Directorate, Kellogg Brown and Root and the Office of Regional Affairs. ¶2. (C) Indirect fire (IDF) attacks on Basrah Palace have occurred on an almost daily basis during the past month. The attacks have become more accurate and more frequent. Recently, a heavy volley of mortar fire and a rocket came dangerously close to occupied residential and office areas. ¶3. (C) As discussed in Refs A and B, Post personnel was reduced on the REO compound by approximately 25 percent through a temporary redeployment of personnel in country and by extensions of leave for those out of country. Because of the enduring threat posed by indirect fire, REO Basrah has further reduced the number of personnel by another eight percent. Post is working closely with Embassy Baghdad to coordinate these efforts. The DCM is in close consultation with the Basrah Regional Coordinator, Baghdad RSO, and Baghdad Management Counselor and approved the eight percent redeployment. ¶4. (U) The long awaited Overhead Cover Project for REO Basrah has just begun and will require the contractor to house approximately 70 personnel on the compound. This will include contract American staff members, and the laborers will be third country nationals. If Post were to go to minimal staffing levels, the project would have to be suspended. ¶5. (U) REO Basrah is working in close coordination with Embassy Baghdad's EAC to reduce the REO's footprint and improve the security situation in Basrah. GROSS