ADDIS ABABA EAC MEETS TO DISCUSS END OF RAMADAN

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 002694 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 END OF RAMADAN (EID) AND SEPTEMBER 28, 2008 BOMBING OF ANDINET HOTEL IN JIJIGA, ETHIOPIA ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa's Emergency Action Committee (EAC) convened on September 29, 2008 to review the details of the September 28, 2008 hotel bombing in Jijiga, Ethiopia which killed four and wounded twenty-two. Post's focus was to determine what impact this may have on Mission activities in and travel to Ethiopia's Somali and Ogaden regions. Additionally, Post wanted to discuss the upcoming Eid holiday. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa's EAC convened on September 29, 2008 to discuss the September 28, 2008 bombing of the Andinet Hotel in Jijiga, Ethiopia which killed four and wounded twenty-two. The EAC was chaired by the DCM and included: CONS, CDC, P/E, DAO, PAO, RAO, RSO, CJTF HOA, USAID, CLO and the U.S. Mission to the African Union and the African Center for Strategic Studies. ¶3. (SBU) RSO briefed the EAC on what the Ethiopian Federal Police (EFP) had reported regarding the incident. According to the EFP on September 28, 2008 at 10:15 AM a bomb that had either had been placed under or was within a motorized three wheel motorcycle taxi detonated in front of the Andinet Hotel, which is co-located next to the African Hotel. NOTE: Both of these hotels cater to host country nationals. END NOTE. Local EFP officials reported four dead with twenty-two wounded in the attack and further stated that they had one person in custody (NFI). DCM noted that that travel to the Somali and Ogaden regions for persons under COM authority continues to be closely monitored and authorized on a case-by-case basis. Further supervisors must ensure staff traveling to these regions on approved travel implement and practice sound personal security measures. EAC members agreed that there was not any new information to pass to the American community via a warden and/or travel warning message/s. Further, EAC members also agreed that there was not any specific threat information pertaining to U.S. personnel, facilities or interests within Ethiopia during the Eid holiday. ¶4. (SBU) Post will continue to monitor the security environment and will report any developments to the Department accordingly. MALAC