02/07/06 EAC MEETING

S E C R E T KIRKUK 000030 SIPDIS SIPDIS BAGHDAD FOR RSO, POL, AND PA STATE FOR DS/IP/NEA E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/7/2016 TAGS: ASEC PTER IZ SUBJECT: 02/07/06 EAC MEETING REF: A. A. KIRKUK 20 ¶B. B. KIRKUK 29 ¶C. C. BAGHDAD 343 CLASSIFIED BY: Scott Dean, Regional Coordinator (Acting),REO Kirkuk, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (b),(c),(g) ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On 02/07/06 acting Regional Coordinator (RC(A)) convened a meeting of post's Core Emergency Action Committee (EAC) at RSO's request. The following members were present: RC(A),PRT Leader (A),RSO, ARSO, MGTO. The purpose of this meeting was to assess the threat environment and review current security procedures in response to a recent REO PSD shooting that caused Iraqi casualties, to Kirkuk church bombings and unrest in reaction to the Danish cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed, and to the reported outbreak of avian flu in post's AOR. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (S) Details: On 02/07 a REO PSD was involved in a shooting that disabled an aggressive vehicle and caused an undetermined number of Iraqi casualties. The RSO was notified by Iraqi authorities of unrest and demonstrations in response to the shooting. This shooting followed another friendly fire incident less than 24 hours previously, which caused Iraqi police casualties. Post has informed Embassy Baghdad and will refer any media inquiries to Embassy Baghdad PAO. These incidents come amid a spike of violent activity in the last 48 hours. As reported in refs A and B, churches were bombed in Kirkuk and demonstrations have taken place locally in reaction to Danish cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed. These circumstances have exacerbated the security threat environment. ¶3. (SBU) Avian Flu has been reported in the REO's area of responsibility, including Sulaymaniyah. The EAC discussed the possible implications of visiting infected locations in connection with U.S. assistance to combat avian flu and possible measures to reduce the likelihood of exposure to the virus. ¶4. (S) Core EAC members agreed on the following measures to increase the REO's security posture in relation to these issues: - Conduct limited PSD operations with low profile Land Cruisers until tensions diminish. - RC(A),PRTL(A) and RSO will reach out to their IZ contacts to minimize the fall out from the shooting. - Monitor the possible outbreak of the Avian Flu and adhere to REF C - Continue to monitor closely the threat environment and avoid possible demonstration locations. - Call an all-hands town meeting to disseminate information on the current threats and REO action, and build awareness for good security practices. ¶5. (SBU) The EAC also emphasized the continued practice of ensuring all red-zone moves are mission essential. RSO staff will continue to work closely with the local U.S. military Brigade, Baghdad RSO TOC and local Iraqi police contacts as needed. ¶6. (U) POC: RSO Kirkuk Michael Stutzman. (240-553-5595) DEAN