US embassy cable - 04BOGOTA2436

UNCLAS BOGOTA 002436 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/DSS/ITA, DS/DSS/IP, DS/DSS/WHA, 
DS/ICI/PII, DS/IP/FPO, DS/ICI/CI 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC, PTER 
SUBJECT: POSSIBLE SURVEILLANCE OF US RESIDENCE IN BOGOTA 
 
 
1.    (U) A. US Embassy-Bogot, Colombia 
 
    B. Incident occurred on 09 March 2004. 
 
C. Embassy spouse observed individual taking pictures outside 
their apartment building. 
 
       D. Spouse and maid observed the incident. 
 
E. The SUBJECT is described as a white male, approximately 5 
feet 9 inches, thin build, with long, dark hair pulled back 
in a ponytail.  The SUBJECT was wearing blue jean pants, and 
a blue jean jacket. 
 
          F. The surveillance was detected at the apartment 
complex located at Calle 84,              #9-85, which is a 
residence used by the US embassy for American employees. 
 
          G. 03/09/04-At approximately 1130 is an embassy 
employee spouse, who resides              in the 
above-mentioned apartment, looked out of the 5th floor 
apartment in                  search of some friends.  The 
spouse noticed an individual across the street 
taking pictures of the entrance and the faade of the 
building from different             angles with what appeared 
to be a digital camera.  Upon discovering the spouse 
observing him, the Subject turned around and began taking 
pictures of other                   buildings.   The spouse 
drew the sheers across the window and began observing 
the Subject from the side of the sheers.  Once the sheers 
were drawn, the               Subject turned around and 
continued taking pictures of the building. The spouse 
informed the apartment doorman and asked him to approach the 
Subject. The                  spouse, maid went down stairs 
to place the trash on the street.  Once the 
Subject saw the maid exiting the building, he hid the camera 
and took off                  heading north.  RSO spoke with 
the doorman. However, he was unable to leave his 
area and had no information to report. 
 
         H. RSO office is still in the process of 
investigating the incident to determine         what security 
measures to implement. 
 
         I. RSO office informed the roving patrol and the 
surveillance detection team of                  the incident 
and the description of the individual. 
 
         J. No action has been taken by the host nation. 
 
2. (U) The POC for this matter is ARSO Kevin W. Murphy 
WOOD