02/15/2008, EAC MEETING REGARDING SECURITY

S E C R E T COLOMBO 000167 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS DEPT. FOR DS, D, M, CA, S/CT, INR AND SA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2028 TAGS: ASEC PTER CASC SUBJECT: 02/15/2008, EAC MEETING REGARDING SECURITY ADVISORY -- AFTERMATH OF HIZBALLAH LEADER IMAD MUGHNIYEH'S DEATH REF: SECSTATE 15668 Classified By: Michael V. Perkins, Regional Security Officer, reasons 1.4 (C, D) ¶1. (S/NF) Summary: In response to information provided reftel, AmEmbassy Colombo convened a meeting of the core Emergency Action Committee (EAC). The EAC concurred that the death of the Hizballah leader was unlikely to affect Post's security profile, and therefore the EAC felt that it was not necessary to increase security measures or issue a Warden message. End summary. ¶2. (S/NF) The core EAC met on February 15, 2008 to discuss whether the death of Hizballah leader Imad Mughniyeh would affect Post's security environment. The EAC took note of the fact that there is no Israeli diplomatic presence in Sri Lanka, nor is there a Hizballah presence. Moreover, Iran, which is seeking to improve its diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka, would be unlikely to allow Hizballah to threaten U.S. interests even if Hizballah had a presence here. In light of these facts, the EAC concluded that it was unlikely that Mughniyeh's death would impact Post's security environment. Therefore, the EAC felt that it was not necessary to increase security measures, which are already stringent, or issue a Warden message on the basis of this event. ¶3. (U) Post will continue to monitor the security environment, and will report further developments, if any, septel. POC for this message is RSO Michael V. Perkins, who may be contacted at 94.11.249.8885, 94.11.249.8888 (MSG Post 1 after regular business hours),via email at perkinsmv@state.gov (unclassified) or perkinsmv@state.sgov.gov (classified). BLAKE