SECURITY FOR THE 233RD USMC BIRTHDAY-BAGHDAD, IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003439 DS FOR DS/IP, DS/IP/NEA-I, DS/SPC/MSG, DS/CC, DS/ITA INFO MCESG REGION 2 ABU DHABI AE E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2018 TAGS: AMGT ASEC KMSG SUBJECT: SECURITY FOR THE 233RD USMC BIRTHDAY-BAGHDAD, IRAQ REF: SECSTATE 99467 Classified By: DCM PATRICIA BUTENIS, REASON 1.5 (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Per REFTEL, Embassy Baghdad,s Emergency Action Committee (EAC) convened on 11/26/2008 to assess the security risk of hosting a USMC Birthday Ball at the New Embassy Compound (NEC) on 11/10/2008. The EAC concurred that the event could be conducted with minimal risk given that it will occur entirely inside of hardened cover facilities at the NEC. A cake cutting ceremony will be performed in the atrium of the Chancery followed by a social function at the MSGR. Both events will be closed for external ticket sales and invitations will not be sent out. End Summary. a. The Embassy Baghdad 233rd USMC Birthday Ball will essentially be a closed event. Host government security support is not required. b. The venue and time have changed from last year,s event. This year, the Ball will be held on the NEC and will have an estimated attendance of 200-250 -- but will not exceed 300. c. All security arrangements for the Ball have been coordinated through the RSO and EAC. The Chancery,s interior atrium will be secured by Cleared American Guard (CAG) and RSO personnel, with additional security support provided by the Baghdad Embassy Security Force (BESF) at the entrances and on the compound. BESF security support will also be increased at the NEC CACs used by the guests, as well as increases in International Zone (IZ) Police patrol coverage along Al Kindhi Street. The cake cutting ceremony is only open to NEC badge holders and their guests. The event will adhere to established Mission and MSGR alcohol policies, and normal access control procedures for the NEC will apply. d. In-place MSGs will stand the required watches during the event. MSG Detachment does not require additional TDY MSG personnel for the event. e. All NEC badge holders will be required to register themselves and any guests with the MSG detachment prior to 11/03/2008. The guest list will then be forwarded to the RSO for review. KBR will provide catering for the event, IAW with established mission policies. The catering staff list will be provided to the RSO prior to the event for proper identification, and all vehicles, supplies and equipment will be screened IAW established NEC procedures. f. The EAC concurred that there is minimal risk to the event beyond normal security conditions prevailing in Baghdad at this time. g. Coordination has been conducted with MCESG Region 2. CROCKER