BAGHDAD NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND (NEC)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 001613 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR D, M, DS, AND S/I FROM AMBASSADOR CROCKER E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2017 TAGS: ABLD AMGT ASEC IZ SUBJECT: BAGHDAD NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND (NEC) Classified By: Ambassador Crocker for Reason 1.4 (g). ¶1. (U) THIS IS AN ACTION CABLE. SEE PARA 3. ¶2. (SBU) In the wake of the indirect fire into the NEC on May 15, 2007, which resulted in the death of one and injury to five First Kuwaiti construction workers and damage to an NEC apartment block, I have instructed the RSO, in collaboration with the DS Site Security Manager (SSM) on site, to develop a joint Emergency Response Plan for any event at the NEC that threatens the safety and security of personnel at the site. The goal of this plan will be to ensure unimpeded access and immediate response using all available embassy resources to any emergency at the NEC. ¶3. (C) In addition, I request that the Department immediately dispatch to post a multi-functional team with representatives of OBO and DS with the appropriate skill sets to join embassy representatives in thoroughly investigating the site of the IDF impact. As the NEC facilities are constructed to the highest blast standard of any Embassy in the world, I am deeply troubled that the IDF, reportedly a 122mm rocket, pierced the side wall of the apartment block and damaged the interior of one apartment. Later in the year, over 600 employees will move into just such apartments. The DCM has instructed the OBO Project Manager on my behalf that the site of the impact is to be preserved until such time as a full investigation of the attack and an independent assessment of the structural integrity of the facility has been completed. ¶4. (SBU) I have also informed the OBO Project Manager on site that effective immediately, she is to allow unfettered access to the NEC site to those whom I, the Deputy Chief of Mission, the Management Counselor, and the Regional Security Officer deem have a legitimate need to visit the site. Given my Chief of Mission responsibilities, I cannot accept any limitation on my authority within Iraq and intend to ensure compliance with this instruction. If I do not get it, I will declare a loss of confidence in the individual responsible, and that person will be removed from post. CROCKER CROCKER