TBILISI EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE DUE TO CIVIL

UNCLAS TBILISI 002804 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR DS/IP/EUR, DS/ITA/EUR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC AEMR GG SUBJECT: TBILISI EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE DUE TO CIVIL UNREST ¶1. (SBU) The Emergency Action Committee (EAC) was convened on November 7, 8, and 9, 2007 in response to the development of violence in the recent protests against the administration of Georgian President Saakashvili in Tbilisi. At around 1330 on November 7 Georgian police dispersed the peaceful, yet agitated, crowd of approximately 2000 people by using water cannons, tear gas, batons, and riot gear-equipped police. While the crowd which had gathered in the downtown area across from the Parliament building did disperse, several smaller, spontaneous clashes with police erupted away from the city center. President Saakashvili declared a state of emergency as a consequence of the clashes within the city. ¶2. (SBU) The Marriott Hotel, a hotel frequently used for TDY employee accommodations, is in direct proximity of the site of the protests and the initial clash with police. The EAC determined that all mission TDY personnel residing at the Marriott be identified, asked to check out, and transported to alternate accommodations. In addition, a warden message reflecting this relocation of personnel was directed for dissemination. ¶3. (SBU) The EAC updated Post's drawdown tripwires to better encompass this and other possible drawdown scenarios. They also reviewed Post's preparedness checklists and directed that all contact lists and telephone cascade lists be updated and tested. The EAC also recommended a town hall meeting for the entire embassy staff. ¶4. (SBU) Since the evening of November 8, there has been relative calm and the Saakashvili administration has announced early presidential elections, which has defused political tensions for now. The EAC met on Friday, November 9 to review and discuss of events up to that time. There were no new developments of security concerns reported, but Post continues to monitor the situation closely. TEFFT