AZERBAIJAN - BAKU EAC MEETING 04/30/2009

UNCLAS BAKU 000356 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR D, P, M, INR, DS/IP/EUR, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/ITA, EUR/CARC, S/CT, CA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AJ ASEC CASC PTER SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN - BAKU EAC MEETING 04/30/2009 ¶1. (SBU) On April 30, 2009 at 1200 hours local, Baku EAC met to review security measures and procedures in response to an attack on the State Oil Academy which occurred on the morning of April 30 and left at least 15 dead and an unknown number wounded. The attack was carried out by one, possibly, two shooters, who entered the Oil Academy building at approximately 0930 and opened fire on students and faculty. The Oil Academy is located approximately one mile south of the Chancery and 0.5 miles north of the building housing the Embassy Annex. No Americans or Embassy personnel were at the Academy at the time and all Post personnel have been accounted for. The Azerbaijani security forces are treating this matter as a criminal act at this time. ¶2. (SBU) The EAC was led by the Charge who asked the RSO to review the incident and post security response to that time. RSO reviewed information gained from police contacts and advised that just prior to the EAC meeting, Ministry of Internal Affairs had informed that the suspected attacker(s) were deceased and deemed the site secured. RSO had previously limited movement from the Chancery and the Annex and an emergency warden notice was issued by Consular. Based on the Ministry of Internal Affairs announcement that the site was secured, EAC decided to resume normal movement of personnel with a caveat to avoid the area within two blocks of the Oil Academy and to limit non-essential travel to the downtown area. ¶3. (SBU) EAC reviewed the information at hand and considered future security posture for Post and guidance for Americans in Baku. A revised warden notice advising Americans to avoid the area around the Oil Academy and limit non-essential travel to the city center was issued. Baku EAC will continue to monitor the situation and reconvene as necessary. LU