BEIRUT EAC MEETING OF OCTOBER 3, 2008

Reference ID 08BEIRUT1441
Date 2008-10-03 03:13
Released 2010-12-01 19:07
Classification SECRET//NOFORN
Origin Embassy Beirut


VZCZCXYZ0022
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLB #1441/01 2771513
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 031513Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3214
INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 4363
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 1309
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 3726
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 3459
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1356


S E C R E T BEIRUT 001441

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR DS/CC; DS/DSS/ITA; DS/IP/NEA; NEA/EX; S/ES
POSTS FOR RSO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2018
TAGS: ASEC, CASC, LE, MOPS, PTER, SY
SUBJECT: BEIRUT EAC MEETING OF OCTOBER 3, 2008

REF: BEIRUT 1414

Classified By: RSO Tom Depenbrock for reason 1.5 (c)

1. (S) At 1030 hours of October 3, 2008, DCM convened a
meeting of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) to discuss
the embassy's security posture in light of the latest threat
information. The following EAC members were present during
the meeting: DCM, POL, RAO, RSO, AID, DAO, ODC, MGMT, CONS,
and INL.

2. (S) Although embassy Beirut currently operates at a
heightened security level, RSO reminded the EAC that there
are certain choke points in the area of the embassy that
could make us vulnerable to an attack. In an effort to thwart
hostile surveillance, RSO announced that the variation of
routes to and from the embassy will become even more robust,
increasing travel times. RSO updated members of the EAC on
the role that the embassy's roving patrol and surveillance
detection have on the outer perimeter security of the
embassy.

3. (S) EAC members agreed to continue with the restriction of
travel to Tripoli (reftel) and review this policy next week.

4. (S) EAC members discussed upcoming high level visits and
events that will be hosted by the embassy within the next
week. In particular, they discussed security arrangements for
the "Made in America" expo which will be held at the Biel
Convention Center from October 9-11. RSO has met with
Lebanese Security Officials on several occasions since August
and has arranged the following security arrangements:

(a) There were several security planning meetings and site
visits to the Beirut International Exhibition and Leisure
Center (BIEL) in September and October involving the BIEL
management and the supervisors of the primary security
offices (RSO, RSO/SD, RSO/BG and RSO /FSNI) of the Embassy.
At the end of September, the RSO met with General Nabil Merhy
) Head of ISF/Beirut Police, and obtained a commitment for
comprehensive ISF support for all necessary security
arrangements. Some of the specific arrangements included
access for an Embassy FSNI to Beirut Police,s Operations
Center, uniformed and plain-clothes ISF officers, EOD
technicians and K-9s, traffic control units as well as any
additional support the RSO office deems necessary. There are
several more security coordination meetings to take place on
October 06, 07 and 08, intended to finalize the details and
numbers involved.

(b) In general, the current security plan establishes three
concentric rings of security:
Surrounding Area Ring:
- This ring consists of the ISF,s Surveillance Detection
unit monitoring the areas of approach to BIEL and
identifying any possible pre-attack observation of Embassy
motorcades, access and screening procedures;
- LAF patrol boats will be available detect and prevent
any attempt to breach security on the sea side (North);
- Beirut Traffic Police will provide help with traffic
congestion and any emergency road clearings on the side of
Solidere;

BIEL Outer Ring:
- Includes a checkpoint for redirecting traffic to the
different venues inside BIEL (Expo, Pavilion, Sky Bar etc).
Checkpoint will be manned by BIEL Security, ISF and RSO/BG;
- A second, vehicle inspection checkpoint will screen all
large and/or suspicious vehicles entering the complex. This
area will be manned by RSO/ESF, ISF, ISF/K-9 and RSO/BG;
- RSO has designed a new traffic pattern around the venue
in this ring that minimizes the access of vehicles in close
proximity to the expo hall. BIEL management has agreed to
implement this pattern.

BIEL Inner Ring:
- This ring covers the exterior and exits of BIEL,s Hall
#2 (venue) and includes security personnel protecting the
physical structure of the venue, access to the interior and
processing/screening all visitors. This group includes
members of RSO/BG, RSO/ESF and ISF.
A fourth, and less visible group, will be posted inside the
exhibition space and will be composed of plain-clothes ISF
and RSO/BG members.
The RSO will maintain a Command Post inside Biel with
representatives of all Embassy and host-government security
elements. The Command Post will be staffed 24/7. In case of
a medical emergency, RSO has requested that the Red Cross
provide first responder services using EMTs and Ambulances on
site.
5. (S) Embassy will also be hosting several officials, who
will be attending the Joint Military Commission at the
Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Headquarters in Yarze which is
slated for October 5-6, 2008. RSO is planning to utilize a
variety of routes to the location and configure "dummy"
motorcades in an effort to protect the visiting officials.
Throughout the year, RSO has been involved in numerous high
level visits that entail scheduled meetings at the LAF
Headquarters and the host nation security has always been
excellent.
6. (SBU) EAC agreed to issue an updated warden message, which
will reflect the need for all American citizens to exercise
vigilance in the coming weeks.


SISON



Source: Wikileaks