KHARTOUM - EAC MEETING: DAMASCUS AND DEMONSTRATIONS

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002219 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR DS/IP/AF, DSS/ITA, AF/EX, CA/OCS, AF/SPG, AF/RSA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC SOCI SU PGOV SUBJECT: KHARTOUM - EAC MEETING: DAMASCUS AND DEMONSTRATIONS ¶1. Summary: On September 13, 2006, the Embassy Khartoum Emergency Action Committee met to discuss recent and expected demonstrations within metropolitan Khartoum and the attack on AmEmbassy Damascus and its ramifications for Embassy Khartoum. End Summary. ¶2. On September 12 a small demonstration was held to object to UNSC Resolution 1706 and to protest the proposal to place UN Peacekeepers in Darfur. It was a small demonstration, organized by the GNU and it marched from city center to the UN Headquarters building, and then shortly dispersed. There was no significant impact on the Embassy or its personnel. ¶3. Information received by the RSO stated that another demonstration against GNU economic policies and the rise in prices of basic commodities would occur on September 13. RSO advised the EAC that as information about this possible demonstration developed, it would be made available to the Embassy community. As it turned out, there was no demonstration. ¶4. EAC discussed the attack on Embassy Damascus. RSO deployed Charge,/DCM bodyguards to the CACs and PACs to increase the number of armed security personnel at these vulnerable locations. Agencies/Sections with contacts in the GNU and the local community will ask about, but pending additional information that is Khartoum specific, the EAC agreed with the RSO,s assessment that we hold for the time being on any significant changes in security posture/procedures. POWERS