BAKU EAC MEETING - 11/2/07

S E C R E T BAKU 001326 SIPDIS SIPDIS NOFORN DEPT FOR D, P, M, INR, DS/IP/EUR, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/ITA, EUR/CARC, S/CT AND CA; FRANKFURT FOR MCESC REGION I E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2017 TAGS: ASEC CASC PREL PTER PINR AJ SUBJECT: BAKU EAC MEETING - 11/2/07 REF: BAKU 1308 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Donald Lu per 1. 4 (b,c,d). ¶1. (S/NF) The DCM convened a meeting of EAC members (DCM, DAO, DOJ, GRPO, MSG, PD, POL/ECON, and RSO) on November 2 at 1500 to review the latest information and our current security posture in response to a specific threat against the U.S. Embassy (reftel). GRPO reported that the Azerbaijani Ministry of National Security (MNS) continues its intensive manhunt for the three fugitives believed to have been part of the plot to attack the U.S. embassy. The fugitives, along with their weapons, are still believed to be in the greater Baku metropolitan area. MNS reported that it is unknown whether the three fugitives were responsible for the October 30 armed robbery of a Lukoil station; the shell casings recovered at the crime scene do not match the weapons stolen from the Azerbaijani military and eyewitnesses' descriptions of the armed robbers do not match those of the three fugitives. MNS officials commented that if the three fugitives were in fact responsible for the armed robbery, it was an act of desperation that indicates the three fugitives are seeking cash in order to flee the country. Full details are available in GRPO reporting. ¶2. (C) RSO reported that the Azerbaijani police and the Embassy Local Guard Force (LGF),including the Surveillance Detection Unit (SD),remain at a heightened state of alert. The Embassy's LGF and SD continue their 24/7 work schedule and will remain on this schedule until the EAC deems that it is no longer necessary. RSO noted that this heightened state of alert is putting a strain on the embassy's resources. RSO also reported that the Saudi Arabian Embassy had reported that one of its diplomatic license plates was stolen from a vehicle parked in front of the Saudi Embassy on the evening of September 27. RSO noted that there is no immediate connection to the threat against the U.S. Embassy but that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is investigating the incident. ¶3. (S/NF) RSO briefed the EAC on security preparations for the Embassy's Marine Corps Birthday Ball, scheduled to be held on November 10 at the Park Inn Hotel. RSO has been working closely with the Azerbaijani authorities to restrict traffic near the event, limit on-street parking, provide an alternative, protected entrance for VIP guests, limit access to the hotel floors immediately surrounding the event, and provide an enhanced police presence both inside the hotel and within the surrounding area. RSO also plans to deploy SD assets for several blocks around the hotel. In order to ease parking problems and reduce the visibility of guests arriving to the event, GSO will arrange for a shuttle to transport guests from an embassy-controlled parking garage near our downtown unclassified annex to the Park Inn Hotel. RSO will ask our TDY MSD support to review our security plans for the ball once they arrive in-country on November 3. GRPO reported that it had no information regarding possible threats to the Marine Corps Ball. Based on RSO's extensive efforts to increase security and minimize risks, the EAC unanimously recommended that the Embassy hold the ball as planned on November 10. The EAC agreed to review this decision if any additional threat information surfaced. ¶4. (U) The EAC adjourned at 1530. DERSE