Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NOUAKCHOTT493
2009-07-27 23:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nouakchott
Cable title:  

NOUAKCHOTT WARDEN MEETING DISCUSSES GENERAL

Tags:  PREL CASC ASEC MR 
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VZCZCXYZ0004
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNK #0493 2082330
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 272330Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8663
INFO RUEHFT/AMCONSUL FRANKFURT 1529
C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 000493 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR CA/OCS, DS/IP/AF, DS/RD/AF
FRANKFURT FOR RCO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2014
TAGS: PREL CASC ASEC MR
SUBJECT: NOUAKCHOTT WARDEN MEETING DISCUSSES GENERAL
SECURITY

REF: NOUAKCHOTT 484

Classified By: Ambassador Mark M. Boulware for reasons 1.4 (b and d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 000493

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR CA/OCS, DS/IP/AF, DS/RD/AF
FRANKFURT FOR RCO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2014
TAGS: PREL CASC ASEC MR
SUBJECT: NOUAKCHOTT WARDEN MEETING DISCUSSES GENERAL
SECURITY

REF: NOUAKCHOTT 484

Classified By: Ambassador Mark M. Boulware for reasons 1.4 (b and d)


1. (SBU) Following up on the last Mission EAC (REFTEL),the
Ambassador hosted a July 23 Consular Wardens Meeting to
discuss general security concerns shared by Nouakchott's
American citizen (AmCit) community. The invitation was
extended to official and unofficial AmCits, as well as those
associated with Non-Government Organizations (NGO's) located
in Nouakchott. Official Americans in attendance included the
Ambassador, DCM, RSO, Consular Officer and PD Officer.


2. (SBU) The Ambassador stated that the purpose of this
Warden Meeting was to ensure that AmCits were aware of the
existing guidance available to them, provided by the US
Government, regarding specific security concerns within
Mauritania, as well as to provide general information
regarding good personal security practices that should be
used while living overseas.


3. (SBU) Various attendees requested information regarding
the Chris Leggett murder investigation and what they
(attendees) needed to do to ensure their personal safety.
RSO advised that Mauritanian police were indicating, with
certainty, that the two suspects apprehended after the July
17th shoot-out in Ksar District, were, in fact, the two
responsible for Chris Leggett's death. RSO further advised
that, according to Mauritanian authorities, both suspects had
offered their full confessions to the murder, and the weapon
used in the murder had been recovered, along with an
explosives-laden belt (allegedly worn by one of the
suspects). RSO added that LEGATT Rabat and RSO were
coordinating with the Mauritanian Prosecutor's Office to
obtain all evidence for comparison and analysis.


4. (SBU) RSO followed up with numerous daily security habits
and practice recommendations for the attendees, to include:
varying times and routes to work, keeping doors
(residence/vehicle) locked and windows closed, remaining
alert to what is happening around you at all times, leaving
yourself an exit while in traffic, scheduling random days for
shopping, errands, and personal needs, not giving out your
personal information (name, address etc.),and ensuring all
family members are briefed on security measures listed on the
Personal Security Self-Assessment Checklist. An additional
copy of the Personal Security Self-Assessment Checklist
(PSSA) was provided to all those in attendance. In addition,
all were briefed on the importance of applying the PSSA when
attending any of the numerous expatriate recreational sites
around Nouakchott, to include, but not limited to, the French
Cultural Center, Shenkers, Racing Club, and Equinoxe.


5. (SBU) DCM and Consular Officer also briefed the group on
the importance for all American citizens to register with the
Embassy in order to receive timely Warden Messages and/or SMS
cellular text messages in the event of an emergency. DCM and
Consular Officer also reminded everyone present that although
Warden and SMS messages are generated as quickly as possible,
the language contained in both must still be cleared by the
Department of State prior to being disseminated. In the
absence of immediate security-related information, all were
encouraged to communicate with the Post 1 Marine Security
Guard and/or Regional Security Office.


6. (C) Comment: Mr. Leggett was a key member of the small
private American community in Mauritania and his death has
affected many deeply. Much of the rest of the American
community does community-based humanitarian work with a
religious undertone. Those with the strongest religious
affiliation are concerned that Mr. Leggett may have been
targeted solely for his religious activities. We are seeing
several long-term resident Americans deciding to take
extended vacations as they evaluate whether to stay on in
Mauritania. End Comment.
BOULWARE