DJIBOUTI EAC MEETING ON U.S. EMBASSY SANA'A ATTACK

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000763 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AF/E, INR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PTER DJ SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI EAC MEETING ON U.S. EMBASSY SANA'A ATTACK ¶1. (SBU) U.S. Embassy Djibouti EAC members met on September 18 to discuss the attack on U.S. Embassy Sana,a. EAC members observed that the attack had the traits of a more sophisticated and coordinated engagement than previously seen in the region. Due to Djibouti's close proximity in both geography and culture to Yemen, the EAC believes that it is prudent for post to further augment security measures for the immediate future. ¶2. (SBU) EAC members agreed that there were no specific imminent threats against U.S. Embassy Djibouti American citizens or U.S. assets in-country. Although post's security posture has been at a high level for several months, the RSO requested on September 17 that the USMC's 8th Provisional Security Company (8th PSC) from Camp Lemonier perform additional Random Antiterrorism Missions (RAMs) for the next several days. (NOTE: Specific RAMs being implemented include random patrols by Marines in armored HMMV's aremd with .50-caliber machine guns. END NOTE) Surveillance detection, local guard force and host police force guarding the embassy compound have been made aware of the situation and continue to be on high alert. Embassy personnel were also made aware of the incident and were reminded to use caution in town and to report any suspicious activity to RSO. EAC feels that the host government is fully supportive and will continue to provide security to post and to American citizens in country to the best of its ability. ¶3. (SBU) EAC members agreed on the following security measures that will help bolster the post,s security posture: a. All vehicles except the Ambd/CDA will be scanned/atomized at the exterior drop arm barriers rather than at the main compound entrance. b. Creation of a traffic control system through the placement of barriers that will significantly slow vehicular traffic approaching the embassy compound. c. Increase in RAMs provided by Marines from Camp Lemonier. ¶4. (U) Embassy Consular section will distribute Department's travel warning for yemen via wardin system. ¶5. (U)Point of contact is ARSO Theron Q. Bunnell, 00 (253) 35 39 95 Ex,2307 or BunnellTQ@state.gov. WONG