Cablegate: October 16 Amconsulate Monterrey Eac Meeting

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RR RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM
DE RUEHMC #0468 2910128
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 170128Z OCT 08
FM AMCONSUL MONTERREY
INFO RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 4219
RUEHXC/ALL USCONS MEXICO
RUEHC/SECSTATE SECSTATE WASHDC
RUEHMC/AMCONSUL MONTERREY 8713

174082
2008-10-17 01:28:00
08MONTERREY468
Consulate Monterrey
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
08MONTERREY458
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RR RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM
DE RUEHMC #0468 2910128
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 170128Z OCT 08
FM AMCONSUL MONTERREY
INFO RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 4219
RUEHXC/ALL USCONS MEXICO
RUEHC/SECSTATE SECSTATE WASHDC
RUEHMC/AMCONSUL MONTERREY 8713

UNCLAS MONTERREY 000468

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC KCRM PINS SNAR MX
SUBJECT: OCTOBER 16 AMCONSULATE MONTERREY EAC MEETING

REF: MONTERREY 458

1. (SBU) At approximately 11:36 a.m. October 16, a series
of 7 to 8 gunshots, in two bursts, were heard near the
Consulate. This gunfire comes in the wake of the weekend
gunshot/grenade attack on the Consulate by assailants unknown
(see reftel). Upon hearing the gunshots, Post Acting RSO
immediately initiated duck and cover procedures and Consulate
personnel remained in that mode until it the all-clear was
determined. Due to the uncertainty surrounding this incident,
Consul General temporarily suspended services to the public and
released non-essential employees early on a staggered basis.
Post is set to resume normal operations at OOB Friday, October
17. The Emergency Action Committee met on October 16 at 1600 in
the Consulate building, and was attended by the CG, Acting RSO,
Cons, Econ/Pol, PA, MGT, GSO, CLO, FCS, FAS, ACS, Embassy RSO,
DHS, DEA, FBI, and ATF.

2. (SBU) At the EAC, Acting RSO briefed on efforts to date
to ascertain the source of the gunshots. Footage from security
cameras covering the highway failed to reveal anything unusual;
however tapes from buildings adjacent to the Consulate are being
reviewed as well. A search of the Consulate's premises did not
uncover any new bullet holes or bullet fragments. In response
to post's request to the Nuevo Leon state Attorney General for
increased police protection, the State provided additional
security. Three SWAT teams are now located at both the front
and back of the Consulate and more guards have been stationed
along the private road leading to the back gate of the building.

3. (SBU) The October 16 incident at the Consulate followed an
early morning raid by the Mexican army. That enforcement action
resulted in the seizure of 8 tons of marijuana, 21 grenades,
approximately 20,000 rounds of ammunition, and one arrest.
Shortly thereafter, Mexican law enforcement authorities engaged
in a gun-battle with suspected organized crime elements in a
house in the up-scale Monterrey neighborhood of Contry. The
incident at the Consulate occurred shortly after the incident at
Contry.

4. (SBU) EAC agreed to issue a warden notice informing local
Amcits of this new incident. Local television and radio ran
extensive coverage on the situation at the Consulate, with
cameramen providing close-up shots of the additional police
units posted at the building. The reporting on the Consulate
was juxtaposed with the gun battle at Contry. Consul General
requested Agency/Section heads to brief their Amcit/LES staff
(as well as family members) on the latest developments, post's
security posture, and the need for vigilance in both work and
home routines. Post is also requesting a timely visit from the
Mexico City RMO/P.

5. (U) Post will continue to monitor developments closely.

WILLIAMSON

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