US embassy cable - 05MAPUTO858

C O N F I D E N T I A L MAPUTO 000858 
 
SIPDIS 
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/IP/FPO, AF/EX, AF/S 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2010 
TAGS: ASEC, MZ, PTER 
SUBJECT: EAC HELD IN RESPONSE TO LONDON EXPLOSIONS AND 
LOCAL GUARD STRIKE 
 
REF: A. A. SECSTATE 125943 
B. B. MAPUTO 00842 
C. C. MAPUTO 00850 
D. D. MAPUTO 00834 
E. E. MAPUTO 00846 
F. F. MAPUTO 00849 
 
1. In response to Ref A, an EAC meeting was held on July 8. 
The security posture at the Embassy and other U.S. agencies 
in Maputo is very poor due to the ongoing strike by many 
local guard force members. The strike is not aimed at the 
Embassy or the U.S., but because of the reduced number of 
guards, the U.S. Embassy is extremely vulnerable at the 
moment to any kind of attack. We have heard no reports 
indicating that any such attacks are planned. All but one 
entry door to the Chancery has been closed and this door now 
has a 24 hour guard. The Administrative Annex building 
located across the parking lot (to which the general public 
has access and uses as a walkway) is not open to visitors and 
is controlled by a cipher lock. During working hours, the 
FSN telephone operator has control of the mag controls of 
this entry door due to her excellent line of sight to all 
personnel attempting to enter. This entry door is magged by 
Post One after working hours. Surveillance detection teams 
have increased their observation of the area surrounding the 
Embassy. 
 
2. In addition to discussing the London explosions, the EAC 
discussed the ongoing strike by many local guard members and 
ex-employees of Wackenhut. Information from Refs B through F 
was discussed. All residences had guard coverage last night, 
partly due to the 21 subcontracted guards Wackenhut hired. 
However, some guards continue to work consecutive 12 hour 
shifts. The U.S. Embassy and U.S.AID currently have 5 guards 
each versus the standard 13 and 10 guards. Peace Corps and 
Public Affairs offices currently have 2 guards each versus 
the standard 3 guards. CDC has been without its one guard 
for 28 hours; Wackenhut has been notified and is attempting 
to find a guard to stand post there. There is a permanent 
Mozambican police presence at the Embassy and COM residence, 
but they have not taken steps to prevent intimidation of 
guards. 
 
3. The EAC discussed the possibility, and agreed to begin 
contingency planning for, increasing the security of the 
personnel working in the Administrative Annex but retaining 
only essential personnel or by moving personnel to available 
desks in the B&F Annex (located inside the fence with the 
Chancery). The Embassy closes at 1130 on Fridays, so this 
scenario will be discussed again at the EAC meeting scheduled 
for 0800, Monday, July 11. 
 
4. Wackenhut officials are expected to meet with guard union 
representatives this morning at the Wackenhut headquarters 
which was cleared of strikers by the police. RSO sent an 
email on July 8 to all direct hire Americans informing them 
of the current situation and to again advise of personal 
security measures to be taken. Post One will send out an All 
Call radio message at 1000, July 9, to inform all direct hire 
Americans of the status of the guard strike. 
Dudley