VZCZCXRO5381
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHDS #1598/01 1441214
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 241214Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6298
RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ADDIS ABABA 001598 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR: D, P, M, DS, S/CT: B.PHIPPS, CA, INR, AF/EX AND DS/IP/AF 
CJTF-HOA FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC CASC PTER ET
SUBJECT: ADDIS ABABA EAC REVIEWS THREAT AGAINST LOCAL HOTELS, 
SECURITY IN THE OGADEN/SOMALI REGION, AND GENERAL SECURITY RELATED 
TO UPCOMING EVENTS 
 
REF: A. ADDIS ABABA 1547 
 
      ¶B. ADDIS ABABA 1308 
 
¶1. (U) ACTION REQUEST: See paragraphs 5 and 11 for action 
requested. 
 
¶2. (SBU) On May 23, Addis Ababa's Emergency Action Committee (EAC) 
met to review the general security situation in light of the 
following: 
 
-- Recent threat information disseminated by Washington to the U.S. 
business community, but of unknown credibility, directed against the 
Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa, and at USG and World Bank employees 
staying there; 
 
-- The security situation in the Ethiopia's Somali (Ogaden) Region, 
following the recent high-profile detention by the Government of 
Ethiopia (GOE) of three Amcit journalists (released May 22) and 
another Amcit (who remains in detention) for alleged contact with 
the Ogaden National Liberation Front(ONLF); 
 
-- Post's general security posture in light of ongoing developments 
in the region, including continuing Ethiopian military intervention 
in neighboring Somalia, the upcoming U.S. Independence Day 
celebrations, and the Ethiopian Millennium celebrations (September 
11, 2007). 
 
The following offices were present at the EAC: Ambassador, DCM, 
DATT, USAID, CONS, RMO, ORA, CDC, MO, MSG, GSO, POL/ECON, SAO, REO, 
REFCOORD, PAO, RMO, USAU and RSO. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
REPORTED THREAT AGAINST ADDIS ABABA SHERATON HOTEL 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶3. (SBU) The RSO briefed the EAC regarding recent threat information 
against the Sheraton Hotel, advising of reported hostile 
surveillance of the hotel conducted by the ONLF insurgent group. 
According to this unvetted report, the ONLF was interested in USG 
and World Bank personnel residing at the hotel, and their 
involvement in oil exploration in the Ogaden (Somali Region) of 
Ethiopia.  On May 22, RSO met with the General Manager, Business 
Manager, and Security Manager of the Sheraton Hotel and passed them 
the threat information.  The General Manager had only moments before 
received the same information via e-mail from Sheraton corporate 
headquarters, which had in turn been provided the information by the 
Department's Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC).  The same 
threat information was also passed by the RSO to the Director 
General of the Ethiopian Police, who in turn passed it to the 
Ethiopian National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS).  During 
the course of the meeting, senior NISS personnel contacted the 
Sheraton General Manager and directed him to elevate the security 
posture at the hotel to the highest level.  The GOE will advise 
other major hotels in Addis Ababa to do the same within the extent 
of their capabilities (not all hotels in Addis Ababa have a strong 
security posture). 
 
¶4. (SBU) Effective immediately, the Sheraton Hotel has implemented 
the following security measures: 
 
-- Increased access control to the hotel compound; 
 
-- Increased vehicle security screening.  All vehicles seeking 
access to the compound will be searched; 
 
-- Posted guards at all exterior doors to the hotel compound and 
building to prevent unauthorized access; 
 
-- Increased vigilance, and presence of hotel and host country 
security personnel. 
 
The above security measures represent what is reasonably possible in 
terms of the hotel's physical security posture and capabilities. 
Post will monitor the situation and report developments accordingly. 
 Currently, the Sheraton accommodates approximately 14 USG personnel 
under Chief of Mission authority.  This is not an unreasonable 
number given the fact the hotel has over 500 rooms.  World Bank 
presence at the hotel is currently small (a couple of individuals). 
Neither the World Bank nor the Embassy has any significant events 
planned at the Sheraton in the immediate future. 
 
¶5. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: The Sheraton Hotel's parent corporation in 
New York received the reported unprocessed "raw" threat information 
before it could be fully evaluated.  In the future, the EAC requests 
time to assess and evaluate reported threat information before it is 
released by the Department to the host country government and other 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00001598  002 OF 003 
 
 
entities.  These types of situations create a double standard issue 
and places this Mission in a difficult situation in regards to our 
duty to notify the American public as well as other entities, and 
could also result in the release of unsubstantiated information 
causing unnecessary confusion, panic or alarm. 
 
--------------------------------------- 
SECURITY SITUATION IN THE OGADEN REGION 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) Since last month's attack by the ONLF against a Chinese oil 
drilling facility in Abole, Ethiopia (ref B), the Government of 
Ethiopia (GOE) has initiated an aggressive campaign to identify and 
locate the ONLF.  The increased GOE presence and initiative in this 
already less then permissive region has subsequently intensified, 
resulting in the detention of one American citizen for alleged 
affiliation with the ONLF (currently in GOE custody), as well as 
three American citizen journalists (released May 22) accused of 
having contact with the ONLF and being in the region without 
necessary host country approval (ref A).  The GOE has made it clear 
they will not tolerate interference with their efforts, or support 
and contact with the ONLF by outsiders.  The EAC agreed this 
situation merited a warden message and amendment to the consular 
information sheet advising Americans regarding the situation, most 
particularly that foreign journalists are required by Ethiopian law 
to register their presence and purpose in country with the GOE 
Ministry of Information.  Post will draft proposed text and submit 
it to the Department for approval. 
 
---------------------------------- 
U.S. INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) Post intends to go ahead with plans for U.S. Independence 
Day celebrations.  Approximately 500 guests are planned to attend. 
Post will continue to monitor and report on the security situation 
as it relates to this event.  Working with the host country, 
Embassy, and hotel security services, the RSO is confident under the 
current conditions that this event can be conducted in a safe and 
secure manner. 
 
--------------------------------- 
ETHIOPIAN MILLENNIUM CELEBRATIONS 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶8. (SBU) The Ethiopian Millennium will be celebrated on September 
11, 2007.  Not only is this date historically significant in regards 
to terrorism, it will also host the largest number of visitors and 
public gatherings in Ethiopia's recent history.  The celebrations 
are expected to extend over a 3-week period centered around 
September 11.  Most local hotels will be fully occupied throughout 
this period.  Many Ethiopians are renting their homes to visitors, 
resulting in a minor housing shortage.  Night clubs, restaurants, 
cafes and other entertainment venues will most likely experience an 
unprecedented surge in patronage.  Many airlines servicing Ethiopia 
are already reporting they will be operating at maximum capacity 
before and during this period. 
 
¶9. (SBU) While the total number of expected visitors coming to Addis 
Ababa can not be accurately estimated, there will be three planned 
public gatherings (held on a large parcel of undeveloped land 
located in close proximity to Addis Ababa's Bole International 
Airport) indicating the scale of the Millennium celebrations. 
Anticipated attendance for these events will be 15,000 to 20,000 
individuals.  These events in Addis Ababa will be broadcast via 
satellite to large billboard size televisions at similar venues 
throughout Ethiopia.  At least three internationally well known 
celebrities (NFI) may participate.  Preparations to the site 
(grading of earth) in Addis Ababa is underway. Planned security 
measures include a perimeter fence for pedestrian access control, 
heavy concrete barriers to prevent vehicular access, and a special 
VIP section.  Security screening measures of attendees are also 
being discussed by GOE officials.  By all accounts, this will be a 
large event and poses a significant challenge in regards to crowd 
control and ensuring general security. 
 
¶10. (SBU) The EAC assesses the security concerns surrounding the 
Millennium celebrations as follows: 
 
-- Due to limited availability of hotel rooms, official USG visitors 
during this period will be discouraged and possibly denied country 
clearance.  Post will send an ALDAC cable to this effect in the very 
near future; 
 
-- Extensive security measures are anticipated throughout Addis 
Ababa, resulting in restricted road travel at various times and 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00001598  003 OF 003 
 
 
locations.  The Embassy will be prepared to make operational 
adjustments accordingly; 
 
-- The attendance of a large number of dignitaries is anticipated, 
resulting in additional security measures; 
 
-- As during any holiday period or significant event in Addis Ababa, 
cellular phone services will most likely be interrupted at times due 
to overloaded circuits, or disabled by the host country security 
services for security reasons.  Mission personnel will be reminded 
to carry and monitor their two-way radios throughout this period; 
 
-- Some public roads will most likely be inaccessible or restricted 
access during this period.  Mission personnel will be advised to 
plan accordingly; 
 
-- Given the ongoing situation in the region, Ethiopia's military 
involvement in neighboring Somalia, threats posed by internal 
political concerns/terrorist groups, and the historic significance 
of September 11 in regards to terrorism, one can not discount the 
possibility of the threat of a terrorist attack or other major 
security incident.  Post will continue to monitor the situation and 
report developments accordingly. 
 
¶11. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Approximately 400 members of household 
(MOH) and eligible family members (EFM) under Chief of Mission (COM) 
authority in Addis Ababa lack access to the Embassy radio network, 
due to a shortage of hand-held radio units and the Department's 
policy not to make funds available for this purpose.  Addis Ababa is 
confronted with frequent interruptions of commercial communications 
services, as well as an environment of constant threats.  Reliable, 
fast and wide-covering communications is essential in dissemination 
of security information to the Mission community in a timely manner. 
 The EAC strongly recommended as a critical element for security all 
EFMS and MOHs under COM authority be issued two-way radios 
compatible with the Mission's present radio network. This would 
require the purchase of 200 additional radios. Post requests the 
Department's guidance and assistance in regards to this matter. 
 
 
---------- 
CONCLUSION 
---------- 
 
¶12. (SBU) In response to the above, the EAC deemed it was prudent to 
proceed as follows: 
 
-- Continue to observe common-sense personal security practices; 
 
-- Monitor the situation and report developments accordingly; 
 
-- Hold regular EAC meetings to reassess the above matters; 
 
-- Issue a warden notice on reported hostile surveillance targeting 
local hotels; 
 
-- Issue a warden notice on security concerns related to traveling 
in the Ogaden without permission of the host country government; 
 
-- Amend the consular information sheet for Ethiopia to advise 
journalists that they must register their presence and purpose with 
the GOE MOI. 
 
¶13.  (SBU) In response to the above situation, the RSO has already 
taken the following measures; 
 
-- Met with the Commissioner of the Ethiopian Federal Police and 
expressed our concerns.  The Commissioner pledged his continued 
support and cooperation; 
 
-- Met with the Deputy Commissioner of the Addis Ababa City Police. 
The Deputy Commissioner pledged his continued support and 
cooperation; 
 
-- Met with Embassy Local Guard Force and Surveillance Detection 
personnel, placing them on an elevated state of alert; 
 
-- Stepped up security procedures at all Mission locations; 
 
-- Carefully assess travel requests by personnel under COM authority 
to the Ogaden/Somali border region; 
 
-- Remind Mission personnel of the threat environment and good 
operational security practices. 
 
YAMAMOTO