HARARE: EAC DISCUSSES HOLIDAY PLANS

UNCLAS HARARE 001126 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA AF/S S/CT CA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC AMGT CASC PREL ZI SUBJECT: HARARE: EAC DISCUSSES HOLIDAY PLANS REF: A. HARARE 1125 ¶B. SECSTATE 129801 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Harare EAC convened on 15 December to review the Embassy's Tripwires, specifically, the areas of medical/natural disasters in light of the growing cholera situation (Ref A),holiday security planning and the larger security situation. In evaluating holiday security, the EAC endorsed continuation of the current security posture. END SUMMARY. -------------- EAC REVIEWS HOLIDAY SECURITY PLANNING -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Harare EAC convened on 15 December. Charge d'Affaires, a.i. chaired the meeting, which was attended by the DCM, RSO, POL, CONS, MGT, DAO, R/POL, PAO, USAID, IMO, MED, and GSO. ¶3. (SBU) Embassy Harare does not have any more scheduled, major holiday events planned for this holiday season. RSO, DAO and R/POL all agreed that there are no known, specific threats to the American community in Zimbabwe. RSO continues to maintain close security contacts with friendly missions. RSO Harare will maintain sufficient security staffing during the holiday season. ¶4. (SBU) The EAC agreed that the security measures already implemented by the Mission are appropriate. The only shuttle service utilized by the Embassy is the school shuttle to/from Harare International School (HIS). School is currently on holiday break until 4 January. If the situation requires, RSO's SDT personnel will provide coverage for this shuttle in January. All other security measures will remain unchanged. RSO has planned emergency drills for the Embassy's facilities during the coming weeks, and will participate in a Town Hall meeting with the Embassy community. ¶5. (SBU) NOTE: Police coverage continues to be absent from USAID and the Embassy. Additional contract guards (LGF) have supplemented coverage in the short term. MGT/RSO was requested by MFA to meet with them on 15 December regarding this issue. When MGT and RSO arrived at MFA, it was apparent that MFA had forgotten about the reason for the requested meeting, and they had no further information from the ZRP Commissioner regarding the lack of police coverage. END NOTE. -------------- CONCLUSION -------------- ¶6. (U) The EAC will continue to closely monitor the health situation, as well as the fluid security situation. Although there are not currently direct security threats to the Embassy community, the overall political situation remains a primary concern. The EAC will convene again in the coming weeks or as appropriate. DHANANI