US embassy cable - 05SANAA2778

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 002778 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, S/CT, NEA/EX, 
NEA/ARPI, CA/OCS, CENTCOM FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2015 
TAGS: AEMR, ASEC, PTER, AMGT, YM, EAC 
SUBJECT: SANAA EAC MEETING 
 
REF: A) STATE 165862 AND B) STATE 162859 
 
Classified By: RSO William Mellott for reasons 1.4 (a), (b) and (g) 
 
1. (S/NF) On 09/18/05, EAC met to discuss RefTel's A and B. 
Members in attendance were AMB, DCM, RSO, POLM, OMC, DAO, MO, 
POLE, PD, CONS, LEGATT, AID, AND CCE. 
 
2. (S/NF) Members discussed RefTel A, JEDDAH, Lessons 
Learned-Follow Up.  RSO specifically addressed para 7, which 
directed RSO's to review post security posture and ensure 
that issues A-G were reviewed, discussed and incorporated 
into post's security plan.  RSO briefed the EAC on each 
matter, as noted below. 
 
A. T-Guard System: The T-Guard system is currently a part of 
the facilities force continuum and is included the EAP, MSG 
Guard Orders and MSG Guard School training.  RSO will 
immediately conduct additional training to ensure all MSG 
personnel are aware of their authority to dispense tear gas, 
what constitutes exigent circumstances and under what 
conditions they may act, without seeking permission from the 
chain of command. 
 
B.  MSG React Positions:  RSO will coordinate with post's 
Detachment Commander and review existing react positions to 
ensure they provide the highest level of protection for 
defenders as well as provide adequate defensive positions for 
the protection of the Mission. 
 
C.  US/Host Government Security Liaison: RSO, Mission 
sections and other agencies at post maintain daily contact 
with Host Government Security and Intelligence Officials to 
ensure the security of U.S. Embassy personnel and properties. 
 RSO will review RefTel guidance concerning walk-throughs, 
combined exercises and table-top sessions and will coordinate 
such activities if the EAC and Senior Management agree it is 
in post's best interests.  Post currently has an MOU with the 
Ministry of Interior to provide armed, 24/7 coverage by a 
battalion of ROYG, Ministry of Interior, Central Security 
Organization (CSO) para-military forces.  The assigned forces 
surround the Embassy, covering areas up to 300 meters from 
the perimeter.  Additionally, all residential and commercial 
structures surrounding the Embassy compound are secured by 
the Political Security Office (PSO) to reduce the likelihood 
of any attack/s from the many rooftops overlooking the 
Embassy compound.  All Embassy residences are provided 
security from the CSO on a 24/7 basis. 
 
D.  RSO Participation is MSG React drills and MSG Guard 
Schools:  RSO only recently arrived at post, but in previous 
postings has, at a minimum, attended MSG Guard Schools once a 
month and has required ARSO's to attend every session.  RSO 
and all ARSO's will/do participate in every MSG react drill, 
Embassy-Wide Drills and include the Local Guard Force in 
those exercises. 
 
E.  RSO is scheduling bi-monthly, Embassy-Wide drills that 
include all personnel at post.  RSO considers Embassy-Wide 
Drills an integral part of the post security plan and, upon 
arrival this month of two new ARSO's, will kick off an 
aggressive drill program.  Post enthusiastically supports 
active participation by LES in Crisis Management Training and 
will continue to do so in the future. 
 
F.  MSG Off-Site SPE Storage: MSG/BEQ is located on the 
Embassy Compound. 
 
G.  RSO continually reviews post security posture, 
vulnerabilities, strategies and tactics.  RSO is currently 
updating the EAP and will include information from RefTel A 
in its post defense plan.  RSO will review the EAP will all 
agencies at post prior to submission. 
 
3. (S/NF) Members discussed the bi-annual Security 
Environment Profile Questionnaire and all agreed with the 
document as presented by the RSO. 
 
4. (S/NF) EAC members presented several other issues for 
discussion during the session. 
 
A.  Dependents at post:  Post is currently prohibited from 
having dependents over 4 years of age and under 21 years of 
age at post.  In the past six months there has been a 
reduction in threat reporting against AmCits and, in the 
opinion of the EAC, the atmosphere in Sana'a has calmed and 
the city is generally seen as safe.  Additionally, the ROYG 
has allowed regular official travel to areas once deemed not 
secure.  This reduction of tension and seemingly relaxed 
travel threat prompted the EAC to revisit the issue of 
dependents at post.  The EAC unanimously agreed to request a 
reduction in age from 21 to 18, in order to allow college 
aged dependents to visit post during holidays.  The RSO would 
to provide security briefings to dependents and continuously 
monitor the security profile of the city in order that 
dependents can enjoy family visitation during holidays. 
 
B.  Consular Travel Warning:  EAC members agreed to revisit 
the Consular Travel Warning during the next EAC, with the 
intention of toning down the language of the warning, in 
light of recent positive security developments in Sana'a and 
the countryside. 
 
C.  Weekly Scheduled Meetings:  EAC members agreed that the 
practice of weekly EAC meetings was unnecessary due to the 
reduction in tensions mentioned previously.  EAC members 
agreed to a scheduled monthly meeting, or as needed meetings 
based on local and world events, was prudent. 
Krajeski