VZCZCXRO7487
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHSB #1126 3511342
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 161342Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY HARARE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3829
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUZEHAA/CDR USEUCOM INTEL VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/EUCOM POLAD VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
UNCLAS HARARE 001126
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR DS/IP/AF,
DS/IP/ITA
AF/S
S/CT
CA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC AMGT CASC PREL ZI
SUBJECT: HARARE: EAC DISCUSSES HOLIDAY PLANS
REF: A. HARARE 1125
B. SECSTATE 129801
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SUMMARY
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1. (SBU) Harare EAC convened on 15 December to review the
Embassy's Tripwires, specifically, the areas of
medical/natural disasters in light of the growing cholera
situation (Ref A), holiday security planning and the larger
security situation. In evaluating holiday security, the EAC
endorsed continuation of the current security posture. END
SUMMARY.
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EAC REVIEWS HOLIDAY SECURITY PLANNING
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2. (SBU) The Harare EAC convened on 15 December. Charge
d'Affaires, a.i. chaired the meeting, which was attended by
the DCM, RSO, POL, CONS, MGT, DAO, R/POL, PAO, USAID, IMO,
MED, and GSO.
3. (SBU) Embassy Harare does not have any more scheduled,
major holiday events planned for this holiday season. RSO,
DAO and R/POL all agreed that there are no known, specific
threats to the American community in Zimbabwe. RSO continues
to maintain close security contacts with friendly missions.
RSO Harare will maintain sufficient security staffing during
the holiday season.
4. (SBU) The EAC agreed that the security measures already
implemented by the Mission are appropriate. The only shuttle
service utilized by the Embassy is the school shuttle to/from
Harare International School (HIS). School is currently on
holiday break until 4 January. If the situation requires,
RSO's SDT personnel will provide coverage for this shuttle in
January. All other security measures will remain unchanged.
RSO has planned emergency drills for the Embassy's facilities
during the coming weeks, and will participate in a Town Hall
meeting with the Embassy community.
5. (SBU) NOTE: Police coverage continues to be absent from
USAID and the Embassy. Additional contract guards (LGF) have
supplemented coverage in the short term. MGT/RSO was
requested by MFA to meet with them on 15 December regarding
this issue. When MGT and RSO arrived at MFA, it was apparent
that MFA had forgotten about the reason for the requested
meeting, and they had no further information from the ZRP
Commissioner regarding the lack of police coverage. END NOTE.
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CONCLUSION
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6. (U) The EAC will continue to closely monitor the health
situation, as well as the fluid security situation. Although
there are not currently direct security threats to the
Embassy community, the overall political situation remains a
primary concern. The EAC will convene again in the coming
weeks or as appropriate.
DHANANI