REO BASRAH EAC MEETING ON 12/29/06

S E C R E T BASRAH 000177 SIPDIS SIPDIS DS, DS/ITA/NEA, DS/IP/NEA, P, M, S/CT, CA, INR, NEA/EX E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2016 TAGS: ASEC IZ CMGT SUBJECT: REO BASRAH EAC MEETING ON 12/29/06 REF: STATE 203664 CLASSIFIED BY: Bryan T. Bachmann, RSO, REO Basrah, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (g) ¶1. (S) The Regional Coordinator (RC) chaired a meeting of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on December 29, 2006, to discuss impending execution of Saddam Hussein. As per reftel, the EAC assessed the local reaction and threat in response to the execution. The EAC along with the British military counterparts at the Basrah Palace expect celebratory fire throughout the city. This area of Iraq is historically anti-Saddam Hussein. The Shia population is expected to be celebrating upon hearing the news of the execution. ¶2. (S) Security at the REO Basrah is already at a high state of alert due to the high volume of Indirect Fire (IDF) and violence in the city. Mission personnel have been advised to take precautions (wearing of PPE) against celebratory fire and remain under hard cover during heavy volleys of machine gun fire. ¶3. (S) REO Basrah does not have a consular or ACS unit, however a duty officer schedule has been established in the event any Americans arrive at the REO for assistance. BONO