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