ADDIS ABABA EAC REVIEWS THREAT AGAINST LOCAL HOTELS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ADDIS ABABA 001598 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR: D, P, M, DS, S/CT: B.PHIPPS, CA, INR, AF/EX AND DS/IP/AF CJTF-HOA FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC PTER ET SUBJECT: ADDIS ABABA EAC REVIEWS THREAT AGAINST LOCAL HOTELS, SECURITY IN THE OGADEN/SOMALI REGION, AND GENERAL SECURITY RELATED TO UPCOMING EVENTS REF: A. ADDIS ABABA 1547 ¶B. ADDIS ABABA 1308 ¶1. (U) ACTION REQUEST: See paragraphs 5 and 11 for action requested. ¶2. (SBU) On May 23, Addis Ababa's Emergency Action Committee (EAC) met to review the general security situation in light of the following: -- Recent threat information disseminated by Washington to the U.S. business community, but of unknown credibility, directed against the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa, and at USG and World Bank employees staying there; -- The security situation in the Ethiopia's Somali (Ogaden) Region, following the recent high-profile detention by the Government of Ethiopia (GOE) of three Amcit journalists (released May 22) and another Amcit (who remains in detention) for alleged contact with the Ogaden National Liberation Front(ONLF); -- Post's general security posture in light of ongoing developments in the region, including continuing Ethiopian military intervention in neighboring Somalia, the upcoming U.S. Independence Day celebrations, and the Ethiopian Millennium celebrations (September 11, 2007). The following offices were present at the EAC: Ambassador, DCM, DATT, USAID, CONS, RMO, ORA, CDC, MO, MSG, GSO, POL/ECON, SAO, REO, REFCOORD, PAO, RMO, USAU and RSO. -------------- -------------- REPORTED THREAT AGAINST ADDIS ABABA SHERATON HOTEL -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The RSO briefed the EAC regarding recent threat information against the Sheraton Hotel, advising of reported hostile surveillance of the hotel conducted by the ONLF insurgent group. According to this unvetted report, the ONLF was interested in USG and World Bank personnel residing at the hotel, and their involvement in oil exploration in the Ogaden (Somali Region) of Ethiopia. On May 22, RSO met with the General Manager, Business Manager, and Security Manager of the Sheraton Hotel and passed them the threat information. The General Manager had only moments before received the same information via e-mail from Sheraton corporate headquarters, which had in turn been provided the information by the Department's Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC). The same 
threat information was also passed by the RSO to the Director General of the Ethiopian Police, who in turn passed it to the Ethiopian National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS). During the course of the meeting, senior NISS personnel contacted the Sheraton General Manager and directed him to elevate the security posture at the hotel to the highest level. The GOE will advise other major hotels in Addis Ababa to do the same within the extent of their capabilities (not all hotels in Addis Ababa have a strong security posture). ¶4. (SBU) Effective immediately, the Sheraton Hotel has implemented the following security measures: -- Increased access control to the hotel compound; -- Increased vehicle security screening. All vehicles seeking access to the compound will be searched; -- Posted guards at all exterior doors to the hotel compound and building to prevent unauthorized access; -- Increased vigilance, and presence of hotel and host country security personnel. The above security measures represent what is reasonably possible in terms of the hotel's physical security posture and capabilities. Post will monitor the situation and report developments accordingly. Currently, the Sheraton accommodates approximately 14 USG personnel under Chief of Mission authority. This is not an unreasonable number given the fact the hotel has over 500 rooms. World Bank presence at the hotel is currently small (a couple of individuals). Neither the World Bank nor the Embassy has any significant events planned at the Sheraton in the immediate future. ¶5. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: The Sheraton Hotel's parent corporation in New York received the reported unprocessed "raw" threat information before it could be fully evaluated. In the future, the EAC requests time to assess and evaluate reported threat information before it is released by the Department to the host country government and other ADDIS ABAB 00001598 002 OF 003 entities. These types of situations create a double standard issue and places this Mission in a difficult situation in regards to our duty to notify the American public as well as other entities, and could also result in the release of unsubstantiated information causing unnecessary confusion, panic or alarm. -------------- SECURITY SITUATION IN THE OGADEN REGION -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Since last month's attack by the ONLF against a Chinese oil drilling facility in Abole, Ethiopia (ref B),the Government of Ethiopia (GOE) has initiated an aggressive campaign to identify and locate the ONLF. The increased GOE presence and initiative in this already less then permissive region has subsequently intensified, resulting in the detention of one American citizen for alleged affiliation with the ONLF (currently in GOE custody),as well as three American citizen journalists (released May 22) accused of having contact with the ONLF and being in the region without necessary host country approval (ref A). The GOE has made it clear they will not tolerate interference with their efforts, or support and contact with the ONLF by outsiders. The EAC agreed this situation merited a warden message and amendment to the consular information sheet advising Americans regarding the situation, most particularly that foreign journalists are required by Ethiopian law to register their presence and purpose in country with the GOE Ministry of Information. Post will draft proposed text and submit it to the Department for approval. -------------- U.S. INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Post intends to go ahead with plans for U.S. Independence Day celebrations. Approximately 500 guests are planned to attend. Post will continue to monitor and report on the security situation as it relates to this event. Working with the host country, Embassy, and hotel security services, the RSO is confident under the current conditions that this event can be conducted in a safe and secure manner. -------------- ETHIOPIAN MILLENNIUM CELEBRATIONS -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The Ethiopian Millennium will be celebrated on September 11, 2007. Not only is this date historically significant in regards to terrorism, it will also host the largest number of visitors and public gatherings in Ethiopia's recent history. The celebrations are expected to extend over a 3-week period centered around September 11. Most local hotels will be fully occupied throughout this period. Many Ethiopians are renting their homes to visitors, resulting in a minor housing shortage. Night clubs, restaurants, cafes and other entertainment venues will most likely experience an unprecedented surge in patronage. Many airlines servicing Ethiopia are already reporting they will be operating at maximum capacity before and during this period. ¶9. (SBU) While the total number of expected visitors coming to Addis Ababa can not be accurately estimated, there will be three planned public gatherings (held on a large parcel of undeveloped land located in close proximity to Addis Ababa's Bole International Airport) indicating the scale of the Millennium celebrations. Anticipated attendance for these events will be 15,000 to 20,000 individuals. These events in Addis Ababa will be broadcast via satellite to large billboard size televisions at similar venues throughout Ethiopia. At least three internationally well known celebrities (NFI) may participate. Preparations to the site (grading of earth) in Addis Ababa is underway. Planned security measures include a perimeter fence for pedestrian access control, heavy concrete barriers to prevent vehicular access, and a special VIP section. Security screening measures of attendees are also being discussed by GOE officials. By all accounts, this will be a large event and poses a significant challenge in regards to crowd control and ensuring general security. ¶10. (SBU) The EAC assesses the security concerns surrounding the Millennium celebrations as follows: -- Due to limited availability of hotel rooms, official USG visitors during this period will be discouraged and possibly denied country clearance. Post will send an ALDAC cable to this effect in the very near future; -- Extensive security measures are anticipated throughout Addis Ababa, resulting in restricted road travel at various times and ADDIS ABAB 00001598 003 OF 003 locations. The Embassy will be prepared to make operational adjustments accordingly; -- The attendance of a large number of dignitaries is anticipated, resulting in additional security measures; -- As during any holiday period or significant event in Addis Ababa, cellular phone services will most likely be interrupted at times due to overloaded circuits, or disabled by the host country security services for security reasons. Mission personnel will be reminded to carry and monitor their two-way radios throughout this period; -- Some public roads will most likely be inaccessible or restricted access during this period. Mission personnel will be advised to plan accordingly; -- Given the ongoing situation in the region, Ethiopia's military involvement in neighboring Somalia, threats posed by internal political concerns/terrorist groups, and the historic significance of September 11 in regards to terrorism, one can not discount the possibility of the threat of a terrorist attack or other major security incident. Post will continue to monitor the situation and report developments accordingly. ¶11. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Approximately 400 members of household (MOH) and eligible family members (EFM) under Chief of Mission (COM) authority in Addis Ababa lack access to the Embassy radio network, due to a shortage of hand-held radio units and the Department's policy not to make funds available for this purpose. Addis Ababa is confronted with frequent interruptions of commercial communications services, as well as an environment of constant threats. Reliable, fast and wide-covering communications is essential in dissemination of security information to the Mission community in a timely manner. The EAC strongly recommended as a critical element for security all EFMS and MOHs under COM authority be issued two-way radios compatible with the Mission's present radio network. This would require the purchase of 200 additional radios. Post requests the Department's guidance and assistance in regards to this matter. -------------- CONCLUSION -------------- ¶12. (SBU) In response to the above, the EAC deemed it was prudent to proceed as follows: -- Continue to observe common-sense personal security practices; -- Monitor the situation and report developments accordingly; -- Hold regular EAC meetings to reassess the above matters; -- Issue a warden notice on reported hostile surveillance targeting local hotels; -- Issue a warden notice on security concerns related to traveling in the Ogaden without permission of the host country government; -- Amend the consular information sheet for Ethiopia to advise journalists that they must register their presence and purpose with the GOE MOI. ¶13. (SBU) In response to the above situation, the RSO has already taken the following measures; -- Met with the Commissioner of the Ethiopian Federal Police and expressed our concerns. The Commissioner pledged his continued support and cooperation; -- Met with the Deputy Commissioner of the Addis Ababa City Police. The Deputy Commissioner pledged his continued support and cooperation; -- Met with Embassy Local Guard Force and Surveillance Detection personnel, placing them on an elevated state of alert; -- Stepped up security procedures at all Mission locations; -- Carefully assess travel requests by personnel under COM authority to the Ogaden/Somali border region; -- Remind Mission personnel of the threat environment and good operational security practices. YAMAMOTO