EMBASSY DAMASCUS REQUESTS PERMISSION TO RE-OPEN

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 004445 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA/EX; PARIS FOR WALLER; LONDON FOR TSOU E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2015 TAGS: ASEC CASC AEMR AMGT SUBJECT: EMBASSY DAMASCUS REQUESTS PERMISSION TO RE-OPEN Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Michael Corbin, per 1.4 b,d. ¶1. (C) The EAC met September 13 to assess the threat environment and security issues in the wake of the September 12 armed attack on the Embassy (reported septel). As part of its discussion of the issue of the Embassy's medium-term security posture, the EAC decided to request that the department approve Authorized Departure. The EAC noted that in the short term there was no specific threat information indicating a further attack against the Embassy and that Syrian security forces had beefed up their protection of the Embassy. Enhanced security procedures are being implemented by the RSO and TDY teams. The EAC also noted that demand for American Citizens Services, as well as visa services, also argued for re-opening as soon as security conditions allowed. Consequently the EAC decided that the Embassy should re-open for regular business on September 14. Embassy Damascus requests permission from the Department to re-open, on the basis that the threat issues posed by the attack on the Embassy have been addressed sufficiently in the short term to justify this measure. CORBIN