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