KHARTOUM EAC RECONVENES ON JUNE 23

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000782 SENSITIVE DEPT FOR S/ES-O/CMS, M, DS, S/USSES, AF, CA/OCS AND S/CT DEPT FOR USAID E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC AEMR AMGT PGOV PTER SU SUBJECT: KHARTOUM EAC RECONVENES ON JUNE 23 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: A/CDA Asquino reconvened the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on Wednesday, June 23, to evaluate the most recent threat information regarding the anticipated June 24 announcement of verdicts in the Granville/Abbas terrorist murder case. The EAC also discussed a commitment from the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) to provide additional security for Embassy facilities and residences connected with this announcement and the June 19 killing of an alleged extremist, Obaid Abdel Wahab. A/CDA, POL, RSO, DLO, MGT, CONS, USAID, PAO, IMO, GSO, HRO, RAO, and LEGAT Cairo were in attendance. ¶2. (SBU) The EAC was briefed that there was no indication of any specific threats to US or Western interests, but that NISS was concerned about anti-regime rhetoric preached in several mosques on Friday, June 19. The latter resulted from the killing of University of Khartoum professor, and alleged extremist, Obaid Abdel Wahab. NISS informed EmbOffs that they are taking such threats very seriously, and have made plans to increase uniformed and plain-clothed security at the US and British Embassies, in addition to GoS security installations. In addition, NISS instituted heightened security measures for the June 24 Granville/Abbas trial verdict announcement that included posting additional security around the courthouse and its surrounding environs. ¶3. (SBU) After reviewing Post's existing security protocols, the EAC agreed to the following additional measures: - Only Mission-critical staff will be required to report for work at the Chancery on June 24. OBO/NEC personnel are considered to be Mission-critical. All USAID Mission personnel in Khartoum will work from home. - Those reporting for work at official facilities in Khartoum should stagger their schedules and use motorpool transportation. No vehicles will be allowed to park outside the Chancery after 11:00 a.m. on June 24. - The weekly radio check will be conducted on Wednesday instead of Thursday morning. Mission personnel must continue to carry their radios with them at all times. Any imminent danger information will be disseminated via the Embassy E&R radio network. The verdict announcement will be sent to Embassy staff from the RSO via SMS text message. - The EAC also agreed that American personnel should stay off the roads in Khartoum between 12:00 Noon and 6:00 P.M. on Friday, June 26 due to NISS' concern for continued anti-regime/anti-Western rhetoric during this Friday's sermons. - A core EAC will reconvene on Thursday, June 25, to review public reaction to the verdict announcement and possible threat-related information. ¶4. (SBU) A Mission Security Notice and Consular Warden Message were distributed after the EAC advising the Mission employees and American Citizens of the additional security precautions and potential for violence. Post remains on high alert and will immediately report any new developments via septel. ASQUINO