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

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Summary
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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:

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Short-Term Action List, Agenda Items
for February 2007 JWG Meeting
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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.

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Comment
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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