Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RIYADH1645
2008-11-02 14:47:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:  

RIYADH EAC - 02 NOVEMBER 2008 (MARINE BALL &

Tags:  ASEC PTER AMGT CACS SA 
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VZCZCXRO1158
RR RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHRH #1645 3071447
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 021447Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9487
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH 9834
S E C R E T RIYADH 001645 

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, CA, INR, AND DS/IP/SPC/MSG
RIYADH PASS TO DHAHRAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2018
TAGS: ASEC PTER AMGT CACS SA
SUBJECT: RIYADH EAC - 02 NOVEMBER 2008 (MARINE BALL &
ELECTION NIGHT EVENTS)

REF: A. DS/IP ACTION MEMO E-MAIL DATED 25 OCT 2008

B. STATE 114666

C. JEDDAH 00455

Classified By: CDA DAVID RUNDELL FOR REASON 1.4 (D).



S E C R E T RIYADH 001645

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, CA, INR, AND DS/IP/SPC/MSG
RIYADH PASS TO DHAHRAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2018
TAGS: ASEC PTER AMGT CACS SA
SUBJECT: RIYADH EAC - 02 NOVEMBER 2008 (MARINE BALL &
ELECTION NIGHT EVENTS)

REF: A. DS/IP ACTION MEMO E-MAIL DATED 25 OCT 2008

B. STATE 114666

C. JEDDAH 00455

Classified By: CDA DAVID RUNDELL FOR REASON 1.4 (D).




1. (S/NF) Summary: On 02 November 2008, Acting DCM (A/DCM)
convened a meeting of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) to
review Post security posture and preparations made for two
major events: The Election Watch slated for 05 November and
the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Ball, to be held on 06
November 2008. The Committee agreed that security
preparations are sufficient to allow for both events to
safely occur. Also present were MGT, PD, POL, DAO, DHS,
LEGAT, ECON, CONS, MSG, GSO, GRPO, POL/MIL, EXEC, IMO, AGR
and RSO. End Summary.


2. (S/NF) The RSO opened the meeting with a short overview
discussing the purpose of the EAC meeting. The EAC was
convened to discuss any possible threat information that may
impact on the two scheduled events, the Election Night Event
and the Marine Corps Ball. The EAC members had no new threat
information of concern specifically targeting the Mission or
the two planned events. The EAC members were briefed by
members of the Security Office on security preparations for
each planned event.


3. (SBU) The Election Watch, scheduled for 05 November, is a
PD sponsored event to be held at the Ambassador's Residence
on the Diplomatic Quarter from 0001 hrs to 0900 hrs.
Approximately 1400 invitations distributed, to date, an
estimated 230 guests have RSVP'd. This event is especially
significant in that press and television coverage will be
present and remarks by embassy staff will be on the record.
The event will include live broadcasts by camera crews from
Saudi Channel 2 and the BBC Arabic.


4. (S) Security for this event includes a guest list, 100%
ID check of guests and press and Embassy badging of all press
members. Screening procedures for press, guests, vehicles
and equipment includes the use of 2 U.S. Military K-9 units,
Itemizer explosive detectors, Walk-Through Metal Detectors
(WTMD),and a security staff to include a roving Surveillance
Detection Unit, extra armed and unarmed Embassy Local Guard
Force members, and all members of the RSO staff. Additional
local Saudi police assets have also been formally requested,
to supplement the existing Saudi police force assigned to
protect the Ambassador's residence on a full-time basis.


5. (SBU) Riyadh's Marine Corps Birthday Ball is scheduled
for 06 November, 2008 from 1800 hrs. to 2400 hrs. 400
tickets have been sold for this event and a ticket is
required to attend. The location of the Ball is the
Embassy's Formal Gardens on Embassy Compound.


6. (S) Aside from ticketing for guests, security for the
Marine Ball includes a U.S. Military K-9 Team sweep of the
venue and presence throughout the event, extra armed and
unarmed Embassy Local Guard Force members, WTMD and removal
of cell phones, presence of the roving Surveillance Detection
Unit in the area, and armed members of the RSO staff.
Additional local Saudi police assets have also been formally
requested, to supplement the existing Saudi security force
presence assigned full-time around the Embassy facility.


7. (S) To supplement Marine Security Guard coverage, one MSG
from Jeddah and one MSG from Dhahran will supplement our MSG
Detachment during this event. As an added precaution, half
the Marine Security Guards (5) will remain response ready in
the event they required for an emergency.


8. (S/NF) Riyadh's EAC members unanimously agreed that the
security procedures in place are sufficient to allow for both
events to occur, with no EAC members offering any additional
guidance or suggestions.

9, (SBU) POC in this reporting is RSO Kimber E. Davidson at
966 1 488 3800 ext 4984 (open) or ext 4203 (secure).

RUNDELL