EAC MEETING - KIGALI NOV 09

S E C R E T KIGALI 000720 NOFORN SIPDIS DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/SPC/MSG E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2018 TAGS: PTER ASEC KMSG SUBJECT: EAC MEETING - KIGALI NOV 09 Classified By: RSO M. Wray, reason 1.4 (c, d) ¶1. (SBU) The Emergency Action Committee (EAC) met on November 3, 2009 to discuss several incidents that occurred in the past month. ¶2. (SBU) On October 07, 2009 during an Marine Security Guard (MSG) function, a man approached a local guard and asked several specific questions in regards to the MSGs. Questions included, how many Marines are at post, where do they live, do they carry weapons, and how many local guards are at the Embassy during the day. The guard did not answer the questions but he did contact the shift supervisor who was able to identify the man as Abdulali Tahlil. Tahlil was with two other friends identified as Ali AbdiKalim and Jean Bosco Rutaganda. Information was passed to the RSO office the following morning. Information was passed to the Rwanda National Police (RNP) but no further details have been obtained in regards to the men. ¶3. (SBU) Approximately four days ago, a manager from the Serena hotel approached the Defense Attach and informed him of an incident that occurred mid-October. An "arab looking male" entered the hotel and asked a desk clerk if Americans were staying at the hotel. Then he asked if there were British staying at the hotel. The man then proceeded to walk around the hotel and subsequently departed. Serena hotel is used extensively by the US Embassy and is the hotel that the MSG ball will be held this year. Although RNP will be present, RSO will request additional armed support for the event. ¶4. (SBU) US Embassy Bujumbura passed information to the RSO office in regards to the deportation of Mohammed Badal Abdula to Rwanda. Abdula was found in possession of false Somalian documents and had conducted surveillance on US Embassy Bujumbura. The police in Bujumbura deported Abdula to Rwanda over the weekend and RSO Rwanda is attempting to find out if the Rwandan authorities were notified and if they detained Abdula. ¶5. (S/NF) The various reports of Al-Shabaab threats against Western Embassies in the region are of concern. Threats were made against the US Embassies in Bujumbura and Uganda and transiting through Rwanda is likely. Of note, the new RNP Commissioner, Gasana Emmanuel, has expressed counter-terrorism will be a priority for the police. ¶6. (SBU) Although these incidents have not been linked together, the number of incidents in a short time span has raised concern for the EAC and warranted a closer look. RSO will be meeting with the Commissioner of Police this week to discuss the various issues including the incidents and the MSG ball. EAC members were requested to inform other Government of Rwanda officials of the incidents and RSO reminded EAC members they should be operating under heightened alert and to report any suspicious activity immediately. ¶7. (U) POC is RSO M. Wray at 240-596-400 ext 2501 or 240-078-830-0542 (cell). SYMINGTON