SANAA EAC MEETING

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000266 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/ICI/CI, DS/ICI/PII, S/CT, NEA/EX, D, P, DS, CA, INR, CENTCOM FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2016 TAGS: AEMR ASEC PTER CASC YM EAC SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING Classified By: RSO William Mellott for reasons 1.4 (b),(c) and (d) SUMMARY. (S/NF) CDA convened the Embassy's EAC on 02/05/06, to discuss three issues of importance to the security of embassy personnel and AmCits in Yemen. Members discussed the security and personal safety ramifications of A) Avian Bird Flu, B) Danish Cartoon protests, and C) The reported escape of 23 Al-Qaida prisoners from the Political Security Organization (PSO) prison. Members in attendance were CDA, RSO, POLM, OMC, DAO, POLE, CONS, LEGATT, AID, FPD. ¶1. (SBU) AVIAN BIRD FLU: ConsOff advised EAC of tripwire #2 in post's Avian Bird Flu Strategy. The migration of the avian bird flu from Turkey to Iraq and neighboring Saudi Arabia triggered the tripwire. EAC was advised that tripwire #2 is administrative and requires verification of medical supplies, review of emergency response, and actions required by future tripwires. ¶2. (SBU) DANISH CARTOON PROTESTS: EAC discussed the violent protests that have spread throughout the region in response to the publishing of editorial cartoons in European papers depicting images of the prophet, Mohammed. There is no Danish embassy in Yemen, however, staff members of a Danish media mission were recalled by their government for security reasons. On 2/1/2006 and 2/2/2006 two large groups marched to the United Nations building in Sana'a to present their protest. After their protest was delivered, the crowd dissipated peacefully. There was no anti-American rhetoric and the EAC felt that unless there was a change in the political atmosphere, there seems to be no immediate threat to Americans related to this issue. ¶3. (S/NF) AL-QAIDA PRISONER ESCAPE: EAC was briefed on the 3 FEB 2006 prison escape of 23 Al-Qaida operatives who were being detained at the PSO prison in Sana'a. This escape was confirmed by the ROYG on 4 FEB 2006. Currently, all 23 fugitives are at-large. In response to the incident the EAC determined that the following security measures would be put into place. ¶A. Review all personal security measures and maintain a low profile in Sana'a for the next two weeks. All personnel were reminded to vary their routes and times to and from work. ¶B. Limit all non-essential travel within or to Yemen. Official travel outside of Sana'a will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Travel to Yemen by official Americans will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. ¶C. All American employees will be allowed flex time and access to armored shuttles. ¶D. Local Guard Force, Residential Guards and ROYG residential security forces will be alerted and will maintain a heightened security posture. ¶E. RSO will notify ROYG security forces to increase vigilance at the three approved hotels used by official American personnel. ¶F. All embassy personnel were reminded by the RSO to maintain vigilance and immediately report any incident that seems suspicious or out of the ordinary. ¶G. EAC agreed on warden message language and ConsOff coordinated that language with Washington. ¶4. (S/NF) EAC agreed that while there was no specific information regarding a threat to the embassy or its employees, it was prudent to take proactive steps to reduce employee exposure in Sana'a and outside the city. ¶5. (S/NF) EAC agreed to recommend postponing any large USG or DOD visits to Yemen, specifically any planned US Navy ship visits. ¶6. (S/NF) EAC agreed to monitor the situation on an hourly basis and instructed all sections continue to liaise with their ROYG counterparts on the situation. EAC agreed to meet on 8 FEB 2006 to discuss any developments and review the embassy's security posture into the weekend. The EAC also agreed to reconvene if any information was received that increased the threat to the embassy or its personnel. ¶7. (S/NF) Post will continuously monitor the situation and will immediately report any developments. Khoury