ADDIS ABABA EAC MEETS TO DISCUSS RECENT TERRORIST

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 002655 SIPDIS DEPT FOR: DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, AF/EX AND CA/OCS/ACS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC SUBJECT: ADDIS ABABA EAC MEETS TO DISCUSS RECENT TERRORIST ATTACKS IN YEMEN AND PAKISTAN ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa's Emergency Action Committee (EAC) convened on September 22, 2008 to review the details of the September 17, 2008 terrorist attack on U.S. Embassy Sana'a and the September 20, 2008 attack on the Marriott hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan. Post,s primary focus was to discern if current security posture can be increased or adjusted to deter/defend against these types of attacks. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Embassy Addis Ababa's EAC convened on September 22, 2008 to discuss the September 17, 2008 terrorist attack on U.S. Embassy Sana'a and the September 20, 2008 terrorist attack on the Marriott hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan. The EAC was chaired by the COM and included: DCM, CONS, P/E, DAO, PAO, RAO, RSO, CJTF HOA, USAID, the U.S. Mission to the African Union and the African Center for Strategic Studies. ¶3. (SBU) The EAC discussed the Embassy's current security posture, which immediately increased its vigilance as events unfolded in Sana,a. RSO briefed actions taken as news of attack in Yemen was received to include: alert of all Post,s security elements inclusive of MSG, LGF, MP, SD, SSM and host country police/security services. RSO also ensured ancillary facilities, were notified and instructed to follow post,s measures to increase vigilance. A request was made to host government to increase Ethiopian National Police officers assigned to chancery and other locations. Host government did not increase staff levels but added additional patrols. NOTE: RSO has held a subsequent meeting with the commander of the National Police assigned to the chancery compound and requested implementation of a color-of-the-day system to ensure post security elements are able to identify friend-or-foe in the event of an incident. RSO is also working to ensure combined drills inclusive of local police and other host government security services are scheduled to create a cohesive and co-ordinated response to security incidents. RSO will reiterate these goals with the National Director of the Federal Police. END NOTE. EAC members agreed that there were not any specific or imminent threats against U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa. EAC members also feel that host government is supportive and is committed to ensure security of post and the Mission community. Post,s physical and procedural posture continues to operate at an optimal level but will be continually monitored and adjustments made if required. ¶4. (SBU) The EAC then discussed the attack on the Marriott hotel in Pakistan and the possibility of a similar attack of Western hotels in Addis Ababa. Both the Hilton and Sheraton hotels are frequented and utilized by Mission personnel on a daily basis. EAC members agreed that although there are measures in place security at both venues could make them softer targets than official U.S. instillations in Addis Ababa. However, host government does deploy security personnel to enhance security at these locations as they are constantly used to host diplomatic, NGO and business events. Mission employees are aware of the need to increase their awareness while at any location with a large number of people present and/or any location that can be symbolic of U.S. interests and to immediately report any suspicious activity to the RSO. COM reminded all that any conferences need to be coordinated with the RSO, especially if either venue is to be utilized. EAC members agreed that there was not any new information to pass to the American community via a warden message. ¶5. (SBU) Post EAC will continue to monitor the security environment and will report any developments to the department accordingly. ¶6. (U) POC for this reporting in Addis Ababa is RSO Kevin O,Connor. YAMAMOTO