Cablegate: Emergency Action Committee Meeting (Eac) - Embassy

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS MADRID 000838

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR DS/IP/EUR, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/ITA, EUR/EX

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING (EAC) - EMBASSY
MADRID

REF: MADRID 00827

1. (U) In response to the multiple train bombings in Madrid
on the morning of March 11, the Ambassador chaired a full EAC
meeting to discuss the impact and implications, if any, on
the Embassy personnel and facilities as a result of the
bombings. Highlights of some general and operational
contingencies for the Ambassador to deal with can be found in
reftel.

2. (U) At 0735, the first detonations occurred. By 0745,
the Embassy was in contact with the State Department
Operations Center and since that point, the OPS Center has
been kept informed and updated. A verification of the safety
and accountability of all employees was conducted by
Management and Human Resources. One employee had been in an
adjoining commuter train coach and had been splattered with
blood splatter but was unharmed. PA established themselves
as the communication Source, anticipating press inquiries.
As of 1700 hours, no American citizens have been indentified
as being involved in the bombings.

3. (U) At 1300 hours, a moment of silence was held in the
Embassy to honor those individuals (173 at latest count) who
lost their lives. Also at 1300 hours, supportive
demonstrations took place in virtually every precinct of
Madrid. The Spanish Government has declared a period of
three days of official mourning and the Embassy and Consulate
General in Barcelona will honor it by carrying our flags at
half-mast.

4. (U) The physical security situation of the Mission was
reviewed to consider any needed upgrades as a result of the
terrorist act and determined to be fine as is. The
Ambassador has canceled an event scheduled for this evening
as a show of respect and solidarity and spoke to all
employees at 1615 hours today to discuss the tragedy and
offer condolences. The Embassy will be participating in a
program of blood donation to assist with the community's
needs and, a Locally Employed Staff (LES) appreciation day
scheduled for Friday has been postponed. A Warden Notice has
been produced and has been distributed to stem the tide of
questions and concerns, and an in-house Staff Notice was
circulated to deal with employee questions.

5. (SBU) The local police and Guardia Civil have
demonstrated a concern toward Mission by increasing their
presence and have reported two incidents of suspicious
vehicles patrolling past the Embassy, which are currently
being investigated.
ARGYROS

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