EMBASSY CONVENES SEPTEMBER 28 EAC MEETING

UNCLAS RANGOON 000934 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, INR/EAP, S/ES-O/CMS; CA/OCS/ACS; DS/IP/EAP, DS/ITA, DSCC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC AMGT PREL AEMR BM SUBJECT: EMBASSY CONVENES SEPTEMBER 28 EAC MEETING REF: A. RANGOON 926 AND PREVIOUS ¶B. RANGOON 918 ¶1. (SBU) Embassy Rangoon's Emergency Action Committee met on September 28 to discuss the security situation in Burma given the GOB's continued violence against demonstrators. RSO reported that because there was still no direct threat to American citizens, the Embassy's current security posture was sufficient. RSO will send to the Embassy community an updated security notice, reiterating the following recommendations: --American and local staff, during curfew hours from 9pm to 5am, should remain indoors; --All employees should stay alert to the daily changes in the movements of anti-government protests, avoid large crowds and mass demonstrations, avoid areas with heavy security forces, and report any security incidents and problems; --Employees are advised to not take pictures or videos of military and police officials during the demonstrations; --American Staff continue to do regular radio checks on the Embassy E&E network and keep their radios at hand; and --All employees should have sufficient food and water available in their residences in the event that sheltering in place became necessary. ¶2. (SBU) The EAC agreed that Post I would broadcast over the Embassy E&E radio network any significant developments that might occur over the weekend. We still have problems with our communications systems, including land telephone lines and cell phones; the EAC agreed that all American staff should keep their radios with them when possible. ¶3. (SBU) The Consular Section will send out a new warden message to American citizens on September 28, which will include the following: --Emphasizing that all citizens should exercise caution given the escalation of violence by the GOB; --Advising the community to not take photos or video of the demonstrations or the security forces, given that a Japanese citizen was shot while taking pictures of the demonstrations on September 27; --Reiterating that American citizens should avoid large crowds and demonstrations; --Reminding American citizens to avoid travel during curfew hours; and --Providing additional Embassy telephone numbers. ¶4. (SBU) We will also request that CA/OCS/ACS update the current public announcement for Burma to include the information in the new warden message. The draft language will be sent separately. VILLAROSA