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

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 009294 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, NEA/EX, NEA/ELA, AND CA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2015 
TAGS: AEMR AMED AMGT ASEC EG KFLO PTER EAC
SUBJECT: CAIRO EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING 12/13/05 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 223695 
     ¶B. CAIRO 08947 
     ¶C. CAIRO 08073 
     ¶D. SECSTATE 219189 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Stuart E. Jones for reasons 1.4 ( 
d) and (g) 
 
 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On December 13, 2005, DCM convened a 
meeting of the full EAC to discuss the worldwide public 
announcement issued by the Department of State (Ref A), the 
current threat situation in Egypt (Ref B), Post tripwires 
regarding Avian Influenza (AI), the ongoing Emergency Action 
Plan (EAP) update and the issuance of security policies for 
travel at night and the Post firearm policy.  Representatives 
from RSO, CONS, ECPO, MGT, RMO, IMO, LOC, LEGATT, ORA, OMC, 
DAO, NAMRU, USAID, CLO, FAS, PA and FCS attended. 
 
¶2. (S/NF) The DCM opened the meeting by drawing attention to 
the worldwide caution that was issued by the Department of 
State (Ref A) and eliciting comments. While the caution 
highlighted threat to U.S. citizens and interest overseas, 
RSO drew attention to the fact that the Middle East was named 
as one of the regions being targeted by Al Qa'ida.  RSO 
stated that no specific or credible information on Egypt 
targeting is known at this time. SIMO concurred that the 
current threat reporting in Egypt is of a general nature, 
adding that the Government of Egypt (GOE) is fully aware of 
threat information and proactively attempting to counteract 
terrorist elements in the country.  SIMO stated that as 
discussed in the last core EAC, the situation in the Sinai is 
stable despite the general threats to Hurghada and that since 
the attacks in Sharm el Sheikh the GOE has increased 
visibility, successfully dealt with subversive groups and 
reinforced security forces in heavily visited tourist areas. 
SIMO reports no credible evidence to support the vague 
warnings reported in Israeli media advising Israelis not to 
visit the Sinai, but also report the GOE is aware and their 
proactive measures are sufficient for the resort areas in the 
Sinai.  OMC stated the USDR, in collaboration with relevant 
Embassy offices, has reevaluated its threat level in Egypt 
and has down graded from force protection level Charlie to 
Bravo with select Charlie measures in place.  Both RSO and 
SIMO agreed that the current posture of the Mission and the 
Egyptian Government is appropriate for the known threat level 
and that both are prepared to intensify measures should that 
become necessary.  CONS is retransmitting the Worldwide 
Public Announcement through the Egypt warden system. 
 
¶3. (C) The DCM noted that the Public Announcement for Egypt 
had expired per the EAC recommendation (Ref C). CONS stated 
that guidance contained in the Consular Information Sheet 
(CIS) is appropriate and constantly updated to reflect the 
situation in Egypt.  ECPO highlighted that, despite the end 
of elections, opposition groups were being allowed to protest 
by the GOE.  ECPO cited a demonstration of approximately 600 
that occurred December 12, 2005, stating that while it is 
encouraging to see the GOE permitting democratic protest, 
protests still have the potential to disrupt traffic and/or 
turn violent. RSO stressed that any information received from 
the GOE regarding demonstrations would be passed on to the 
Mission community so that such demonstration could be voided. 
 
 
¶4. (SBU) Closing the discussion on the threat situation, the 
DCM addressed the Post preparations for the possible Avian 
Influenza outbreak (Ref D). RMO disseminated a draft list of 
tripwires the Avian Influenza Working Group had prepared, 
noting that Post's current position was at tripwire zero 
which encourages Mission personnel to have a seven day supply 
of food, water, and medicine on hand. RMO stated that should 
cases of the AI be found in surrounding countries the EAC 
should revisit the actions Post should take. The DCM stated 
that the AI tripwires would be a living document continually 
modified by Post and that all section heads should stress to 
their personnel the general tenets of emergency preparation 
overseas not just in relation to AI. 
 
¶5. (C) As the final agenda topic the RSO distributed two 
updated security notices. The updated Mission's Firearms 
Policy was distributed.  The DCM emphasized responsibility 
associated with carrying a firearm, for sport or official 
use, and that the misuse of a firearm is grounds for removal 
from Post. The general safety hazards associated with 
traveling after dark in Egypt has led the EAC to re-address 
night time travel outside of greater Cairo.  RSO stressed 
that night time travel outside of the greater Cairo area, as 
delineated in the security notice, is prohibited due to the 
dangerous road conditions and hazards presented by other 
drivers. Several members of the EAC raised the concern that 
at times there is an operational need to travel outside of 
greater Cairo during hour of darkness. The DCM stated that 
such instances could be coordinated with RSO as they arose, 
with mission criticality and common sense the key to 
approval. The DCM again stressed that section heads are 
responsible for ensuring that their personnel understand and 
comply with all mission policies and encouraged everyone to 
set aside a few minutes at their next staff meeting to review 
with their personnel the two updated policies. 
¶6. (SBU) The DCM noted that the holiday travel season is upon 
us and as such so is the need to ensure that those traveling 
during the holidays leave behind contact information. Each 
Section is responsible for knowing where their personnel are 
during the holiday and more importantly how to contact them 
should the need arise. The DCM encouraged section heads to 
lead by example by leaving contact information with the front 
office if they were traveling. On a final note, the DCM 
reminded the EAC that the requested updates to the EAP are 
due by the end of the week to RSO.  Once updated, the EAC 
will have the opportunity to review the updated EAP prior to 
the upcoming Crisis Management Exercise in 2/06. 
 
 
JONES