GUIDANCE ON RESPONDING TO REPORT OF POTENTIAL

UNCLAS STATE 043610 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AF ASEC KCRM KNNP MNUC PARM PINR PREL PTER ET XA XW SUBJECT: GUIDANCE ON RESPONDING TO REPORT OF POTENTIAL NUCLEAR MATERIAL IN ADDIS ABABA REF: A. ADDIS ABABA 000963 ¶B. DIPLOMATIC SECURITY SERVICE SPOT REPORT (4/23/09) ¶C. STATE 030541 ¶1. (U) This is an action request for Embassy Addis Ababa. Please see paragraph 3. ¶2. (SBU) BACKGROUND: Per REF A, on 23 April 2009, Post alerted Washington that it had received an e-mail with photographs indicating a potential incident of illegal nuclear and/or radioactive material smuggling. The e-mail was received in the PAS mailbox (PASAddis@state.gov) at approximately 1519 hours on 23 April 2009. It had arrived from kgashu@yahoo.com, according to REF B. The photographs showed a yellow cylindrical container with a radioactive warning sign and a "Made in USSR" marking in English. REF B indicated the RSO will obtain header information from the e-mail and request information on the location from which the e-mail was sent, via NISS and the Ethiopian Federal Police. ¶3. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Post is requested to inform the GOE that after examining the photos in question, Washington believes this is likely a scam but will continue to provide support if additional information comes to light. However, even if this is a scam, Washington encourages the GOE to prosecute any individuals involved and remove the containers from circulation if possible, because such scams drain law-enforcement resources and increase demand for such materials. Washington encourages Post to take the follow-up steps outlined in REF B and disseminate any future information to Washington. Additionally, Post should note that PM/ISO/PMAT has not received the e-mail referred to in REF A and that the guidance cable listed as REF B in ADDIS ABABA 00963 has been replaced by REF C of this cable. ¶4. Washington appreciates Post's assistance. CLINTON