TUNIS EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE HOLIDAY SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000904 SIPDIS FOR DS/IP/NEA AND NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2019 TAGS: ASEC TS SUBJECT: TUNIS EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE HOLIDAY SECURITY MEETING REF: STATE 127309 Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (c) and (d). ¶1. (C) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the Core Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on December 10 to address the Embassy's security posture and holiday security planning. The Core EAC was in attendance, including the DCM, P/E, MGT, ORA, DATT/OSC, MSG, MEPI, CONS, PAO, and RSO. All agreed that the security posture at post was appropriate in advance of the upcoming holidays. ¶2. (C) RSO began the meeting with a summary of the security environment in Tunisia and in the region, and reminded all staff of the need for heightened vigilance during the upcoming weeks. Embassy staffing will be adequate but supervisors were reminded of the importance of accounting for all personnel, especially TDY visitors, at this time. For Locally Engaged Staff and for Government of Tunisia (GOT) security personnel, we do not anticipate any unusual staffing gaps and expect the same level of continuous support that has been provided in the past. Soft targets and special events were also discussed by the Committee. The primary school that Embassy dependents attend will be on an extended break for three weeks, beginning December 18, and the school will have a continuous guard presence during this time. The Foreign Service Institute Field School will also be on break for two weeks after this week. ¶3. (C) The Committee discussed upcoming special events involving Embassy personnel and facilities. Holiday parties hosted by the Ambassador and DATT will receive local guard, RSO Investigator, and GOT police support in their respective locations, close to the Presidential Palace. The Marine Security Guard Detachment will host a New Year's Eve event at their quarters on the Embassy compound. The ARSO will coordinate security measures for this event with the Detachment Commander and will advise the DCM of any issues of concern. All personnel entering the compound are fully screened at one Compound Access Control point by the members of the local guard force and the number of attendees will be carefully monitored. RSO will provide notifications to GOT authorities for a trip to the south of Tunisia arranged by the Community Liaison Office through a local travel agency that several Embassy personnel are expected to participate in. RSO will also request the Senior FSNI to communicate with GOT authorities regarding general concerns regarding other soft targets such as religious ceremonies. Areas where tourists congregate for dining and shopping, in addition to hotels, typically receive extra attention and scrutiny from host-government police and security services as the GOT places considerable importance on protecting their vital tourism industry. ¶4. (C) At this time, the Core EAC did not require a new Warden message and decided current guidance from the Department was appropriate. The Ambassador recently hosted the American Citizen Wardens last week at the Residence for an annual meeting where the general discussions involved holiday security remarks from the RSO. Post will continue to monitor conditions and threat information and will report any significant developments to the Department. RSO will also submit a report of this meeting via the RSO Security Management Console. GRAY