US embassy cable - 05ANKARA7200

S E C R E T ANKARA 007200 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/EUR, DS/DSS/ITA, EUR/EX, EUR/SE, 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2015 
TAGS: ASEC, AMGT, AMED, CASC, PTER, TU 
SUBJECT: ANKARA EAC MEETING 12/7/2005 
 
Classified By: Classified by DCM Nancy McEldowney; Reason 1.4 (c,d,g) 
 
1.  (U) Ambassador Wilson chaired the Emergency Action 
Committee (EAC) on 12/7/05 to discuss the mission's emergency 
preparedness.  In attendance were representatives from each 
of the following sections/agencies:  RSO, MGT, RMO, IMO, CON, 
DAO, POL, PAS, MSG, ECON, DEA, FBI, PMA, RAO, TSR, CLO, ODC, 
AFOSI, DET 1. 
 
2.  (SBU)  Ambassador directed EAC discussion on three 
topics:  Post contingency plans; threat profile; Avian 
Influenza (AI).  EAC members summarized recent emergency 
preparedness measures taken by post, to include drills, 
contingency planning seminar, new alternate command post, and 
status of earthquake preparedness.  The discussion concluded 
with several members offering suggestions that would enhance 
emergency preparedness, including closer coordination with 
the US Military facility at Incirlik and a mission-wide 
contingency exercise.  These will be followed up on.  RSO 
advised that the EAP update is due and will be coordinated 
with DS/SPC using the new web-based CEPA. 
 
3.  (S)  RSO and RAO described the threat profile.  While 
reporting of both indigenous and transnational terrorist 
activity is somewhat high, none is specifically targeting USG 
assets.  It was noted that Kongra-Gel (PKK) has momentum and 
has the capacity to continue terrorist operations thru the 
winter, including in urban areas, if it so chooses. 
Additionally, there exists the potential that the PKK could 
move their targeting towards USG assets if the program to 
assist the Turkish Government in combatting PKK is 
successful.  The increased transit thru Turkey of terrorists, 
now referred to as the Foreign Fighter Pipeline, was 
mentioned as well.  RSO reminded members not to become 
complacent about security in this high threat environment, 
and to regularly discuss personal security with their EFMs. 
 
4.  (SBU)  ECON summarized events during the 
previously-reported outbreak of AI in Turkey, and MGT and MED 
summarized post's preparations in the event of an AI 
pandemic.  It was noted that important contacts were made 
during the outbreak which will be useful in the future. 
 
5.  (U)  Meeting concluded with Ambassador thanking members 
for their participation and encouraging continous emergency 
preparedness planning. 
 
 
WILSON