CAMEROON: EAC MEETING AND UPDATE ON SECURITY SITUATION

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 000215 SIPDIS DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/OSAC, AF/C, DS/DSS/CC SIPDIS E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: ASEC KSAC CM CASC PHUM PINR PGOV KPAO SUBJECT: CAMEROON: EAC MEETING AND UPDATE ON SECURITY SITUATION Ref: Yaounde 00211, Yaounde 00209 ¶1. (U) On March 5, 2008, Embassy Yaounde's EAC met at 0930 to discuss the security situation in Cameroon. The EAC was chaired by the Ambassador and in attendance were the DCM, RSO, DAO, POL/ECON, PA, CONS, Peace Corps, Health Unit, Embassy Branch Office, GSO, and MGMT. ¶2. (U) The situation in Cameroon remains calm. Sections updated the EAC on several items of importance. The Consular section will continue to focus on American Citizens Services this week and will resume visa functions next week. There are rumors about a strike to be held on Monday March 10; no details are known as to which sectors will be affected or in which cities the strike might take place. Peace Corps volunteers who were relocated to Yaounde or other consolidation points will begin returning to their villages today. ¶3. (U) The Government of Cameroon reportedly will turn its attention to the price of food commodities but not lower the price of fuel. There is still a presence of Police, Gendarmes, and Presidential Guards on the streets, though each day their numbers decrease. The Embassy Branch Office director reports that in many respects life in Douala has been returning to normal. The city did not lose water or power during the crisis. He further reported that five out of the nine gas stations on the road from Douala to Yaounde were destroyed. The airports in Yaounde and Douala are open and functioning normally. Travel on the road between Yaounde and Douala is currently normal. ¶4. (U) The American School of Douala opened on March 3 and the American School of Yaounde opened on March 4. The French schools in Douala and Yaounde will remain closed until March 10. It is believed that the military will maintain its presence in the major cities of Yaounde, Douala, Bamenda, and Bafoussam for the foreseeable future. ¶5. (U) The EAC agreed for the need to have a "lessons learned" session and advised members to submit recommendations. At this time no additional warden messages or security notices will be issued. Post will meet with other Embassies to share information and work on expanding radio coverage. Post hosted an OSAC meeting on March 4 and passed information and discussed future ramifications or possible unrest if the Government of Cameroon does not make concessions or if a constitutional change referendum is introduced. The National Assembly is set to open its next regular session on March 13. ¶6. (U) POC for this cable is RSO Laura D. Williams.