MADAGASCAR: WEEKEND MEETINGS OF THE EACS REVIEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L ANTANANARIVO 000072 DEPT FOR DS, D, P, M, S/CT, CA, AND INR DEPT FOR DS/AF/IP DEPT FOR DS/ITA/AF DEPT FOR AF/E E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2019 TAGS: ASEC CASC MP PGOV PREL PTER MA SUBJECT: MADAGASCAR: WEEKEND MEETINGS OF THE EACS REVIEW EMBASSY SECURITY POSTURE Classified By: RSO RJ Bent for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) At 1800 on Friday, January 30, 2009, following a Town Hall Meeting, the Emergency Action Committee (EAC), chaired by DCM Stromayer, met at the DCM's residence, to assess the security posture of the U.S. Embassy in Madagascar as the weekend begins. Another meeting of EAC was called to meet at 1400 on Saturday, January 31, 2009, to reevaluate the situation after the mayor's morning downtown rally and speech. ¶2. (C) At the EAC held on Friday, January 30, the committee again reviewed the tripwires and discussed the need for a drawdown list. The American community is in good spirits and engaged in helping each other. EAC decided that the situation in regard to the tripwires has not changed. However, EAC decided for the immediate future all TDY visitors must be cleared by the DCM before traveling to post. The Management Officer will complete a drawdown list. The EAC suggested that the Embassy develop some type of buddy system, so every person at home would receive a call each day. EAC also suggested RSO broadcast scheduled radio updates on the status of affairs, broadcasted at noon and 1700 daily. The EAC scheduled a meeting for Sunday at 1600, unless events at the morning rally should dictate an earlier meeting. ¶3. (C) The EAC did indeed meet earlier at the request of the Ambassador. At 1400 on Saturday, January 31, the EAC reconvened to discuss the events of the morning, the contents of the mayors speech and the potential ramifications. At the rally, which was not as well attended as previous gatherings, Mayor Andry Rajoelina requested the resignation of the President and the government, called for impeachment proceedings, and stated that he was now in charge of Madagascar's ministries and military. Despite these potentially inflammatory statements, by the time EAC met, the rally had ended peacefully and a review of the tripwires showed that nothing had changed substantially. EAC recommended that we stand fast and keep an eye on the situation. It also suggested, however, a meeting for spouses on Sunday afternoon, to explain how evacuations work and to answer any questions that they might have. A warden message will be sent out on Monday advising Americans to be prepared for the possibility of departure, as the situation has not been resolved and remains fluid. MARQUARDT