Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BAGHDAD1613
2007-05-17 16:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
BAGHDAD NEW EMBASSY COMPOUND (NEC)
how-toVZCZCXRO8628 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #1613 1371606 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 171606Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1205 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
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).
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
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