ALGIERS EAC ON RECENT SUICIDE ATTACKS AND CURRENT

S E C R E T ALGIERS 000913 NOFORN TERREP DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, DSS/OSAC, NEA/MAG, NEA/EX E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2018 TAGS: ASEC CASC PTER AG SUBJECT: ALGIERS EAC ON RECENT SUICIDE ATTACKS AND CURRENT THREAT INFORMATION REF: A. 05 STATE 120220 ¶B. ALGIERS 889 (AND PREVIOUS) Classified By: CDA, a.i. Thomas F. Daughton; reason 1.4 (g). ¶1. (S/NF) SUMMARY: Charge convened a full EAC July 17 to discuss recent Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) attacks and threat reports. In attendance were RSO, MGT, GRPO, PAO, CONS, DAO, LEGATT, MSG, POLEC, TREASURY and GSO. RSO and GRPO reviewed current AQIM threat reports. RSO provided statistics detailing terrorist incidents in Algeria from June through August. The EAC discussed post's existing movement policy, the cascade notification system, the Alternate Command Center, radios, TDY staffing, personal visitors, a potential warden message, and updates to the existing Travel Warning for Algeria. The EAC agreed that the current security posture for post is appropriate, but noted that the situation could change quickly. The EAC also agreed that the Embassy would seek Department clearance to issue a warden message August 17 or 18 advising of recent suicide attacks east of Algiers and urging American citizens to be cautious. Post will conduct a town hall meeting of official Americans and dependents on August 18 to review the movement policy and warden message. RSO reiterated the need for vigilance and for all staff to review the personal security awareness directive (ref A). RSO further reminded EAC members to brief all American staff on the security directive and on keeping safehaven supplies on hand in case of emergency. RSO is conducting combined RSO, Marine and Local Guard Force security drills the evening of August 17. End Summary. ¶2. (S/NF) The EAC was convened to consider recent suicide bombings in the region east of Algiers (ref B),as well as current AQIM threat reporting concerning potential suicide bombings in the Algiers area. RSO and GRPO reviewed the threat information, with GRPO noting that there was currently no information about specific threats to U.S. facilities or personnel. After discussion, the EAC affirmed that the present movement policy was appropriate and should remain unchanged. As the policy requires notification of the RSO Office for nearly all non-work-related moves, the EAC discussed procedures for maximizing the effectiveness of the notification process. The EAC agreed that a town hall meeting of the official American community should be conducted on August 18 to review about the movement policy and how to notify RSO. The EAC agreed that RSO would update the cascade notification system ("phone tree") to account for summer staff turnover and conduct a test of the system within 48 hours. The EAC also reviewed near-term TDY staffing and projected personal visitors. All current TDYs were deemed mission-essential and were approved by the EAC. There are currently no personal visitors expected to arrive at post. ¶3. (S/NF) The EAC agreed that recent events and the current threat information, combined with perceptions on the part of the Algerian security services that the approaching month of Ramadan might see an increase in terrorist activity, warranted issuance of a warden message to the American citizen community. CONS was provided guidance on the proposed content of the message, and is preparing a draft for clearance with the Department. The EAC agreed that the current Travel Warning for Algeria, which is due for review in September, should also be amended to include, among other things, the information on recent AQIM attacks. Post will prepare a revised Travel Warning and submit it to the Department shortly for clearance. ¶4. (S/NF) RSO confirmed that the process of moving post's Alternate Command Center (ACC) to the basement of the RSO residence (adjoining the EMR compound) was nearly complete. RIMC radio technicians are completing installation of radios and antennas at the ACC. Cabling and all other equipment are expected to be in place in the ACC by August 22. The radio techs are also in the process of reprogramming all Embassy radios and installing antennas at two additional off-compound residences to improve E&E net communication. Once all radios have been reprogrammed and all antennas installed, RSO will test the radio system. DAUGHTON