PLANS FOR THE FEBRUARY JOINT WORKING GROUP ON

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 009106 SIPDIS SIPDIS DOE PASS TO ADEALVAREZ CIA PASS TO TCOYNE E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2016 TAGS: EPET PGOV PREL PTER SA SUBJECT: PLANS FOR THE FEBRUARY JOINT WORKING GROUP ON CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION REF: A. SECSTATE 197392 ¶B. RIYADH 8989 Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES MIKE GFOELLER FOR REASONS 12958 1.4 B, D, AND E -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (S) On 16 December, Economic Counselor Silverman and Energy Attache Ross met with Dr. Saud al-Semari, Director of the Ministry of Interior's (MOI) modernization program, and Khaled al-Ageel, Manager of the MOI's Industrial Security Directorate, to discuss plans for a February 2007 meeting of the Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) program Joint Working Group (JWG). The meeting followed on the December 11-15 visit by Department of Energy Critical Infrastructure Director Alex de Alvarez to prepare for a longer-term TDY beginning in January 2007 to advance CIP cooperation. In light of de Alvarez's visit and today's discussions, we propose the following items constitute a short-term action list for de Alvarez and/or other JWG members, and be included on the agenda for the February 2007 JWG meeting: -------------- Short-Term Action List, Agenda Items for February 2007 JWG Meeting -------------- ¶2. (S) -- By the January 15, develop a survey template for site surveys of critical infrastructure sites; initiate contact with critical infrastructure facilities to gather initial survey data and arrange site visits; --By mid-February, and following site visits to key energy facilities, prepare a report summarizing security enhancement steps taken on the ground; --By mid-February, initiate work with Diplomatic Security's Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) Office to develop a training program for a newly-planned Facility Security Force (FSF) training academy; include relevant new security technologies in the training program; and collaborate with the MOI to incorporate suggested training program in the FSF's master plan; --By mid-February, review existing High Commission on Industrial Security safety and security standards for critical infrastructure; recommend inclusion of specific and appropriate counterterrorism performance standards for buildings and security infrastructure; --By mid-February, discuss Saudi Coast Guard efforts to date in the area of critical infrastructure protection; discuss possible U.S. Coast Guard assistance in maritime critical infrastructure protection; --By mid-February, discuss relevant organizational initiatives, such as the creation of a senior executive-level Chief Security Officer position within organizations such as Saudi Aramco, which have numerous critical infrastructure sites, and complex security and safety demands. The participants also agreed that to better engage national oil company Saudi Aramco in setting and implementing the new security standards, the MOI should include the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources in the JWG, at least informally. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶3. (C) The CIP program is off to an excellent start. Mission appreciates the Department's swift efforts to ensure de Alvarez could travel to Saudi Arabia immediately after the December 7 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on CIP cooperation. Our Saudi interlocutors within MOI have been pleasantly surprised the USG moved so quickly to make assistance available. RIYADH 00009106 002 OF 002 GFOELLER