EMBASSY DJIBOUTI HOLDS EAC TO DISCUSS TERRORISM AND VISAS

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000035 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR CA/VO/L/C AND S/CT E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/01/19 TAGS: ASEC CVIS PTER PINR DJ SUBJECT: EMBASSY DJIBOUTI HOLDS EAC TO DISCUSS TERRORISM AND VISAS VIPER PROGRAM REF: 10 STATE 2602; 09 STATE 132497 CLASSIFIED BY: Eric Wong, DCM, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy, Djibouti; REASON: 1.4(D),(G) ¶1. (SBU) Per ref A, Post convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on January 13 to review VISAS VIPERS procedures. Attendees included: DCM (chair),CONS/PD, ORA, MGT, NCIS, OBO, acting RSO, DATT, and USAID. ¶2. (U) EAC members reviewed the purpose and procedures for "VISAS VIPER" reporting, and received copies of written guidance on VISAS VIPERS (9 FAM 40.37 Notes). In light of recent events, the need for full participation was stressed, and all sections were encouraged to refer any questions relating to the program to the Consular Section and/or RSO for clarification. ¶3. (C) EAC members discussed current terrorism issues in the region, including recent unconfirmed state-run media reports of a January 9 attack on a Djiboutian military vehicle at Daoudaouya, Golodaba sector, Yoboki, which reportedly wounded 4 troops. The consensus of the EAC was that current travel warnings and the Embassy's current heightened security posture were sufficient at this time. EAC members highlighted the mission's requirement that mission personnel seeking to travel outside the capital provide advance notification to the RSO. In the event that reports of attacks on vehicles (e.g., from grenades or mines) were later substantiated, the EAC proposed additional coordination with host country security authorities, to provide police or national gendarmerie escorts while traveling in affected areas. ¶4. (U) Point of contact is acting RSO, D. Ryan Williams. SWAN