TBILISI EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETINGS

UNCLAS TBILISI 000018

SIPDIS

BT

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR DS/IP/EUR; BAKU AND YEREVAN FOR RSO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC GG
SUBJECT: TBILISI EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETINGS



1. (SBU) On December 30, 2007 and January 4, 2008, Post
convened Emergency Action Committee meetings in preparation
for the January 5 election for the Georgian presidency. The
EAC acknowledged that polling place disruptions during the
elections, and civil unrest after the election remain
possibilities. Although no specific threats of violence have
come to light, Georgian police remain concerned about the
possibility of small arms weapons being brought to
demonstrations by demonstrators during or after the
elections.


2. (SBU) The EAC agreed that several measures would be put
into place. Given the tendency for the cell phone system to
become unreliable around holiday periods, embassy radios will
be at the ready for use as a backup means of communications.
IMO will also conduct refresher briefings for all that
request.


3. (SBU) A warden message was issued on January 4, 2008
warning Americans to exercise caution if they encounter
rallies and demonstrations associated with the election due
to the potential for escalating into violence.


4. (SBU) A training session for all US Embassy election
observers took place on January 3, 2008 with a portion
dedicated to the RSO to relay security procedures.


5. (SBU) Two armored vehicles will be dedicated to the
congressional delegation of Reps. Alcee Hastings and Rep.
Lloyd Doggett who will be participating in election
monitoring activities.


6. (SBU) IMO will make available satellite phones for
observation teams traveling to remote locations.


7. (SBU) The DCM, Pol/Econ, and USAID will be physically
present and available on election day - Saturday, January 5,
2008 - to field reports from the observer teams and relay
appropriate developments to Washington, DC.


8. (SBU) DAO will relay to the Marine Security Guard who and
where special DAO observers will be deploying in reaction to
developments.
TEFFT