JAMAICA: EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETS TO DISCUSS

UNCLAS KINGSTON 001323 SIPDIS SIPDIS, SENSITIVE STATE FOR DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/ITA, WHA/CAR (KHARNE/JTILGHMAN), USCOUTHCOM FOR BILL VANCIO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC EAID JM SUBJECT: JAMAICA: EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETS TO DISCUSS ELECTION DAY PLANS 1.(SBU) In response media reports of increasing politically-motivated violence, and with a request to send volunteers to monitor the elections for the Organization of American States (OAS),CDA James Heg called a meeting of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on August 31. Present at the meeting were CDA, CG, RSO, P/E, MLO, MGT, DAO, Peace Corps, ACS and DEA. According to local media reports as many as nine people have been killed over the last 24 hours due to unrest regarding the upcoming elections. However, EAC does not assess that a general situation of unrest, spilling beyond known trouble spots, has emerged. 2.(SBU) P/E reported that Embassy Kingston plans to send three two-person teams of volunteers out in USG vehicles to observe the voting in support of OAS. OAS will provide identification, vests, and a two hour training session on Saturday, September 1. RSO requested only armored vehicles and Embassy drivers be utilized, and that all Embassy employees carry their radios and cell phones at all times. RSO will stay in contact with the Joint Constabulary Force (JCF) and provide updates or alerts as information is known. DAO and RSO have reviewed the proposed locations and routes and provided guidance about any known problem areas or "hot spots." Furthermore, RSO will provide a security briefing to all drivers and participants from Embassy Kingston. All US teams will be staying close to Kingston, visiting polling stations within rural St Andrews Parish. The RSO has required all teams to report back to the New Embassy Compound (NEC) or the Headquarters of the OAS at the Courtleigh Hotel in Kingston before dark on Election day, September 3. 3.(U) CG reports that a Warden Message has been sent to all registered Americans and Wardens concerning possible violence or crowds and congestion on Election Day. The same message will also be prominently featured on the Embassy webpage. RSO will provide a Security Announcement to all Chief of Mission Personnel. 4.(SBU) Peace Corps(PC) reports all Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV) have been instructed to remain in their houses from 1800 hours on September 2, until 0600 hours on September 4, the day after the election. 5.(SBU) U.S. Embassy Kingston will be closed to the public on September 3, in observance of Labor Day. RSO will report on security plans for the Embassy and personnel septel. HEG