MASERU EAC DISCUSSES 4TH OF JULY SECURITY POSTURE

S E C R E T MASERU 000165

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/ODAC, S/CT, D, P, M, INR,
CA, AF/S; GABORONE FOR RSO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/3/2018
TAGS: ASEC PGOV CASC LT
SUBJECT: MASERU EAC DISCUSSES 4TH OF JULY SECURITY POSTURE

REF: STATE 058161

CLASSIFIED BY: CHRISTIAN REDMER, GSO, GSO.
REASON: 1.4 (d)

1. (SBU) Charge convened the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on
June 3 to review post's security posture with respect to the
upcoming July 4th holiday (reftel). Participants included MCC,
PEPFAR (representing CDC, USAID),CONS, Peace Corps, IMO, and
A/MO.


2. (SBU) Currently, U.S. Mission Maseru is organizing or
participating in two events to commemorate the 4th of July in
Maseru: an official Independence Day representation event at the
Chief of Mission's residence on July 4, and a non-official
American Community picnic to be held at a local international
high school on July 5.


3. (C) In recent years, post has hosted the official 4th of July
representation event at one of two international-standard local
hotels. Although security risks were low at these venues, the
EAC concluded that holding the event this year at the Chief of
Mission residence offers increased security protection,
including strictly controlled entry and exit points, limited
public access prior to the event, and Mission control over the
security force (post's normal security provider). This enhanced
security will also address a significant increase in invitees
this year compared to last year (456 vs. 250).


4. (C) EAC members highlighted the need for a security presence
around the entire perimeter of the compound (especially in an
open field adjacent to the residence) and surveillance of
vehicles (official and guest) parked in the street near the
residence. EAC members also recommended that the Acting Post
Security Officer (A/PSO) meet with senior Lesotho Mounted Police
Service officials to solicit their full assistance with the July
4 event and to enhance communication flow in coming weeks. The
EAC assesses that host country security personnel are fully
cooperative with U.S. Mission requests related these and other
USG-hosted events.


5. (C) Although the Mission plans to offer limited GSO support,
the non-official American Community Maseru 4th of July
celebration is organized largely by local Amcit expatriates and
Basotho colleagues. The event is expected to mirror last year's
celebration: a non-conspicuous, low-key picnic and afternoon of
sports and activities which saw a peak attendance of about 60
participants. EAC members agreed that the Post Security Office
should seek an enhanced presence by the high school's security
provider. The EAC also recommended that several Embassy
employees - equipped with radios - monitor likely routes of
entry as well as the general security situation during the low
profile event.


6. (C) Overall, the EAC concurred that post's security posture
for the 4th of July event and the July 5 community celebration
is appropriate and commensurate with the relatively low risk of
terrorist attack. The Post Security Office will implement all
EAC recommendations.

MURPHY