DHAHRAN EAC MEETING - NOVEMBER 1, 2008. SECURITY

S E C R E T RIYADH 001651

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, CA, INR, AND DS/IP/SPC/MSG
DHAHRAN SENDS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2018
TAGS: AMGT ASEC PTER SA
SUBJECT: DHAHRAN EAC MEETING - NOVEMBER 1, 2008. SECURITY
PREPARATIONS FOR CONSULATE ELECTION NIGHT AND USMC BALL
EVENTS

REF: A. (A) STATE 114666

B. (B) STATE 99467

Classified By: Consul General Joseph Kenny for reasons 1.4 (d) and (g)


1. (S/NF) Summary: On 01 November 2008, Consul General
convened a meeting of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) to
review Post security posture and preparations made for two
major events: The Election Night event, slated for the late
evening of 04 November (local time) and the U.S. Marine Corps
Birthday Ball, to be held on 12 November 2008. The Committee
agreed that security preparations are sufficient to allow for
both events to safely occur. Also present were MGT, PD, POL,
DHS, CONS MSG, GRPO 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. EAC members provided no new
threat information of concern specifically targeting post 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 Night event, scheduled for 04
November, is to be held at the Multi-Purpose Room on the
consulate compound from 9:30pm to 2:00am (local time).
Approximately 215 invitations were distributed and
approximately 33 have confirmed, though a total of 100 are
estimated to ultimately be present.


4. (S) Security for this event includes a guest list, 100%
ID check of guests. Screening procedures for guests will
include the use of inspection of vehicles in the public
parking area, x-ray of personal items and walk-through metal
detectors (WTMD). RSO will have additional armed and unarmed
local guard force personnel on duty for the duration of the
event. Additional Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) and
local Saudi police assets have also been formally requested
to supplement the existing security forces assigned to
protect the consulate compound on a full-time basis.


5. (SBU) Dhahran's Marine Corps Birthday Ball is scheduled
for 12 November, 2008 from 5:30pm to 12:30am (local time).
Approximately 120 of the 225 eligible tickets have been sold
for this event and a ticket is required to attend. Each
ticket is numbered and can only be used by the person named
at time of purchase. The location of the Ball is the
American Recreation Center, on the consulate compound.


6. (S) In addition to restricted ticketing for guests,
security for the Marine Ball includes extra armed and unarmed
Embassy Local Guard Force members, WTMD and armed members of
the RSO staff. Additional SANG and local police assets have
also been formally requested, to supplement the existing
security force presence assigned to protect the consulate
compound on a full-time basis.


7. (S) To supplement Marine Security Guard coverage, one MSG
from Jeddah, one MSG from Manama and two MSGs from Riyadh
will supplement our MSG Detachment during this event.


8. (S/NF) Dhahran'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 Ed Roth.

(Approved: Kenny)
RUNDELL