US embassy cable - 04SANAA685

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000685 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
DS/DSS, DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, S/CT, NEA, NEA/ 
ARP, NEA/EX, NEA/P, CA, CENTCOM FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/24/2014 
TAGS: AMGT, ASEC, PREL, PTER, EAC 
SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING 03/24/2004 
 
REF: SECSTATE 64477 
 
Classified By: RSO Tim Laas, for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). 
 
Classified By:  Ambassador Edmund J. Hull, for reasons 1.5 
(B) and (D) 
 
1.  (C)  Begin Summary:  The Ambassador convened an EAC 
meeting on March 24th, 2004, to review the security 
situation in regard to potential tensions in the region as 
a result of the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.  EAC 
members noted no specific threats but recommended that the 
American community lower its profile over the weekend due 
to the potential for harsh rhetoric Friday within local 
mosques.  The Embassy issued a warden message warning the 
American community to lower its profile and avoid non- 
essential travel.  This week the RSO conducted and Embassy 
wide duck and cover and safe haven drill, along with an 
emergency notification exercise. RSO assets will monitor 
the streets of Sanaa for potential security problems over 
the next several days.  The American community remains in 
a high state of security awareness even in the absence of 
specific threat against Americans or the Embassy. Key 
offices and personnel represented included: CONS, DAO, FPD, 
MSG, MO, OMC, ORCA, PD, POL/ECON, SOCE-Yemen, and RSO 
END SUMMARY. 
 
 
2.  (C)  Ambassador referred EAC members to a Department 
of State threat advisory explaining that the death of 
Palestinian Hamas leader Sheikh Yassin has caused 
significant upheaval throughout the Middle East and that 
various groups may seize on this event to conduct attacks 
particularly in the occupied territories, and possibly in 
other locations within the Middle East and North Africa. 
The recent threat advisory also stated that Hamas has 
implicated the United States in Sheik Hassin's 
assassination and has called on Muslims to retaliate 
against Americans which would indicate a significant 
departure from in message for Palestinian terrorist groups. 
 
3.  (C)  The DCM noted that recent government sponsored 
demonstrations did not contain inflammatory speeches 
denouncing the United States and there were no calls to 
target Americans. 
 
4.  (C)  RSO indicated that the government has expressed 
its concern about the security situation at the Embassy and 
that senior members of the Central Security Organization 
(CSO) have recently visited the Embassy to personally 
inspect the perimeter.  The RSO also conveyed to the 
Ministry of the Interior (MOI) the Embassy's need for 
increased vigilance at the Sheraton Hotel, the Yemen 
American Language Institute (YALI), and Haddah Compound. 
Managers responsible for security of YALI, Haddah compound 
and the Sheraton Hotel have been briefed on the security 
situation. 
 
5.  (C)  Community members participated in an emergency 
notification exercise using the emergency and evacuation 
radio network and telephone tree.  Additionally, the entire 
Embassy participated in a duck and cover drill and 
safe haven training exercise during the week of March 21-27, 
2004. 
 
6.  (U)  SEPTEL reports media and ROYG reaction to the 
Yassim assassination. 
 
 
------------------------ 
Post Advisory Actions 
------------------------ 
 
6.  (C)  Following the EAC meeting the Embassy issued a 
warden message mirroring the State Department travel 
restriction announcement for civilian travelers to the 
region. The EAC members agreed that Embassy sponsored trips 
should be postponed until after Friday's religious services 
when the security situation will be reevaluated. The 
Ambassador advised Embassy personnel to maintain a low 
profile, avoid mosques and large gatherings, and minimize 
their movements over the weekend. 
 
HULL