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