POST CONVENES EAC ON JUNE 19, 2009

S E C R E T PESHAWAR 000136 DS/IP/SCA; DS/EX; DS/TIA/ITA; DS/CT E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/23/2019 TAGS: ASEC PTER MOPS PK SUBJECT: POST CONVENES EAC ON JUNE 19, 2009 REF: PESHAWAR 129 CLASSIFIED BY: Lynne Tracy, Principal Officer, U.S. Consulate Peshawar, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (S/NF) Post convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on June 19. Principal Officer (PO),RSO, RAO, ODRP/SOC-FWD, MGT, and GSO attended the meeting. The EAC reviewed post's decision to re-locate some personnel to Islamabad on June 13 in light of specific, credible threat information targeting Consulate personnel and facilities (reftel). Peshawar's airport closed on June 17 because of a threat report targeting flight operations, but re-opened on June ¶19. There were no significant incidents of violence in Peshawar the week of June 15. ¶2. (S/NF) Given the continuing threats against targets in Peshawar in retaliation for military operations in South Waziristan and Swat, the EAC determined that it was prudent to remain at a reduced footprint and limit movements to mission essential purposes until additional resources and counter-measures can be put in place. Post estimates that approximately a month may be required to position these resources and counter-measures. Post is re-directing consular services to Islamabad. The EAC will continue to review the threat environment and post's security posture and staffing levels (currently 68 personnel under Chief of Mission authority). End Summary. Threat Reporting -------------- ¶3. (S/NF) RAO briefed the EAC on threat reporting indicating that Tehrik-i-Taliban and/or al-Qai'da elements continue to plan and stage attack components from Khyber's Bara area (approximately 10 km southwest of Peshawar) and elsewhere in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The attack plans over the week of June 15 primarily consisted of the use of car bombs in Peshawar directed at largely at security elements and the cantonment area. On June 17, the Peshawar airport was closed after authorities became concerned about possible attacks from the ground on aircraft during approach and after take-off. The airport re-opened on June 19. (Note: The Peshawar airport has been hit by occasional rocket attacks from the hills to the south and west of the airport, but no rockets have caused any substantial damage to date.) Peshawar personnel have resumed use of the airport. Additional Check Points 
 -------------- ¶4. (S/NF) RSO briefed on the visible increase in check points targeting primarily trucks traveling into and out of Peshawar. Post is now required to provide a minimum of 48 hours notice for any truck on Consulate business entering or exiting Peshawar. Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Sifwat Ghayyur acknowledged to RSO, however, on June 17 that most of his police "don't know what they are looking for" and that there was a strong likelihood that his forces would not detect an explosive device. Re-Located Personnel and Mitigation -------------- ¶5. (S/NF) There were no significant incidents of violence in Peshawar the week of June 15. However, given the continuing threats against targets in Peshawar in retaliation for military operations in South Waziristan and Swat, the EAC determined that it was prudent to remain at a reduced footprint and limit movements to mission essential purposes until additional resources and counter-measures can be put in place, particularly the World-Wide-Personnel-Protective-Service (WPPS) contract and creation of additional setback near the housing cluster. ¶6. (S/NF) PO briefed that the visas for WPPS personnel had been approved but there was some lag because passports were now being assembled and re-submitted to the Pakistan Embassy. Senior Northwest Frontier Province officials have expressed support for additional drop-arms near the housing cluster. RSO is working with the CCPO on issues of placement and manning of the drop-arms. Post is expecting survey teams that week of June 22 to review additional security measures and capacity of Consulate compound to support emergency housing facilities. ¶7. (SBU) Peshawar personnel scheduled to arrive within the next month while post is operating at a reduced footprint will be re-directed to Islamabad and temporarily work from the Embassy in support of Peshawar operations. Consular Operations -------------- ¶8. (C) Peshawar normally provides American citizen services by appointment only. Post is suspending consular services and will re-direct that function to Islamabad. Consular appointments have been scheduled and canceled multiple times over the past couple of months because of the volatility in Peshawar's security environment. PO in coordination with Islamabad's Consul General determined that providing better predictability in fulfilling consular services was the primary objective in terms of supporting American citizens for routine services. (Note: Islamabad is an approximately 2.5 hour drive from Peshawar.) The Embassy will provide public notification. Current Staffing -------------- ¶9. (S/NF) Post's current staffing under Chief of Mission authority is 68 (State - 17; ODRP/SOC-FWD - 22; and RAO - 29). After careful review of threat concerns and countermeasures, the EAC determined that the current Consulate staffing provides the correct balance of supporting Mission critical policy objectives while offering personnel resident in Peshawar the greatest degree of protection. Further adjustments to the Consulate security profile will be considered as circumstances dictate. TRACY