RIYADH EAC - 19 OCTOBER 2008

S E C R E T RIYADH 001573

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/EX, DS/IP/NEA, DS/ITA, AND
DS/IP/SPC/MSG
RIYADH PASS TO DHAHRAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2018
TAGS: AMGT ASEC CASC PGOV PREL PTER SA
SUBJECT: RIYADH EAC - 19 OCTOBER 2008

Classified By: DCM David Rundell for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (S) BEGIN SUMMARY: On Sunday, October 19, the Deputy
Chief of Mission (DCM) convened a regularly scheduled meeting
of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC). The RSO and BPM
said that threat reporting levels remained consistent and
that no new, specific threats to U.S. interests were
received. The RSO briefed the EAC on the progress of
physical security upgrades, the dissemination of a new warden
notice, and a survey of the security of the eight most
frequently visited Western Compounds in Riyadh. The EAC
agreed unanimously to cancel the special movement policies
enacted before Eid al-Fitr for Embassy staff. Also present
in the meeting were CONS, DATT, MED, MGT, POL, POL-MIL and
PAS. END SUMMARY.


2. (S) RSO and BPM stated that while threat reporting
levels remained consistent, there were no new, specific
threats to U.S. interests.


3. (S) The RSO reported that physical security upgrades at
the Embassy were proceeding on schedule. Construction of the
Embassy's perimeter wall will be completed by November 1;
lighting and security cameras will be addressed, with the
Consular Section Door and Embassy Lobby upgrades scheduled to
follow. Continual maintenance of Post's aged Delta Barriers
are being addressed with the Department, a problem needing
quick resolution. The RSO announced that a team will be
coming from Washington to replace windows in Post's armored
vehicle motorpool. The RSO and DATT will identify vendors
for sandbag covers. The RSO also announced that Post's
Internal Defense, Medical Response and Excavation Teams have
been formed and are practicing.


4. (U) The Consular Section disseminated a warden notice on
October 15. The notice drew on previously cleared language,
advising American citizens to avoid staying in hotels or
housing compounds that do not apply stringent security
measures. The RSO noted that several members of the Overseas
Security Advisory Council expressed their appreciation for
the information in the warden notice.


5. (S) The RSO reported the results of his survey of the
eight most frequently visited Western Compounds in Riyadh.
Green City, FAL, Rumaizan, Arab Investment, Hamra, Kingdom
and Arabian Homes Compounds were found to have adequate
security programs in place. When the Cordoba Compound was
reviewed by RSO, a poor showing by the Saudi Arabian National
Guard soldiers resulted in a concern that was reported to the
Ministry of Interior, resulting in a promise to improve its
presence at such compounds.


6. (S) As there have been no new, specific threats to the
U.S. Mission and Western interests, and the RSO had found
that security at most Western Compounds remained good, the
EAC rescinded the special movement policies enacted on
October 8, 2008; that policy prohibited embassy employees
from visiting iconic hotels, souqs and Western Compounds
without prior authorization from the RSO. However, all were
reminded to avoid large gatherings of Westerners and to
maintain vigilance and their situational awareness, as
appropriate.
FRAKER