VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRH #2352/01 3310738
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 270738Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHFSI/DIR FSINFATC IMMEDIATE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7080

UNCLAS RIYADH 002352 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DIR FSINFATC FOR FSI/LMS/CMT 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AEMR AMGT ASEC SA
SUBJECT: LESSONS LEARNED - CRISIS MANAGEMENT EXERCISE, 
RIYADH 
 
 
¶1.  BACKGROUND: On November 4, the Embassy Riyadh 
participated in a Crisis Management Exercise (CME) 
facilitated by Ruth Abramson.  The 
       exercise served as a tool by which Post could evaluate 
security procedures and operations.  Post compliments CME 
staff for the facilitation of a fruitful 
       and worthwhile exercise. 
 
¶2.  Begin Text of questions and answers: Question 2, 
A-G. 
 
¶A.  Question:  Format of the CME: What recommendations would 
you make regarding the form and conduct of the excercise: 
Were four hours sufficient to meet your objectives? 
Format:  Yes, the format of the CME was appropriate and the 
four hour timeframe was sufficient.   On November 3, Post 
conducted an overview describing the purpose of the CME. 
The overview included direct hired staff and locally engaged 
staff.   The overview session served as a good opportunity 
for Post to learn about the CME training. 
 
¶B.  Question:  Selection of scenarios:  Please comment on 
the scenarios played during the exercise.  Which scenarios 
were most valuable?  Should some be dropped?  Were there 
additional/other crises you would like presented? 
 
Scenario:  The scenario describing simultaneous attacks in 
Riyadh was very appropriate and well done.  The scenario 
triggered much discussion among 
staff regarding Post's experience in a crisis situation. 
 
¶C.  Question: How appropriate was the kind and amount of 
intervention by the controller in the exercise?  What about 
the controller's observations for post management from the 
exercise? 
 
Controller Input:  The controller did an excellent job 
facilitating discussion among staff and offering useful 
suggestions.  She interjected at appropriate moments and put 
forth helpful advice.  At the end of the CME, the controller 
provided several good observations regarding stress 
management and ways to help FSNs during a crisis. 
 
¶D.  Question:  What would the post do differently in response 
to a real crisis as a result of this training? 
 
The participation of LES in the CME highlighted the need to 
continue Post's policy of including them in exercises. Also, 
new arrivals should read the EAP within 30 days of arriving. 
 
¶E.  Question:  What lessons did post take from the CME? What 
best practices for crisis management emerged?  What changes, 
if any, have you made in your EAP as a result of the 
exercise?  Have you formulated an action plan to deal with 
issues that arose during the CME? 
 
Post would like the CME to incorporate incident commander 
concept more fully. 
 
Lessons Learned:  The CME was helpful in identifying areas 
where Post can improve operations and procedures in the event 
of a similar terrorist attack. 
 
(a)  During the exercise, staff was reminded of the need to 
maintain open lines of communication and re-enforce the 
importance of radio-checks.  Participation should be 
mandatory. 
 
(b)  The exercise also reinforced the importance of safe 
areas.  As a result of the exercise Post was reminded that 
all Embassy staff should be aware of all safe havens inside 
and safe areas located outside the Chancery and the 
Diplomatic Quarters. 
 
(c)  During the exercise, staff discussed a variety of ways 
in which emergency information may be quickly disseminated to 
consulate staff and AmCits. 
 
¶F.  Question:  What aspects of stand-alone CMT Overview 
Training did post find useful?  How could it be improved? 
Would post have preferred a lengthier stand-alone 
session,including an exercise more closely resembling the CME 
that was presented for EAC?  Does post plan any follow-up to 
the fundamentals training, for LES or non-EA Americans? 
 
¶F.  Answer: Overview Training:  Post found stand-alone 
Overview Training useful, particularly as an introduction to 
crisis management for LES and new officers.  However, certain 
parts of the training could be shorter and more concise. 
 
¶G.  Question:  Freuency of CME:  We would appreciate your 
candid comments on the optimal frequency of CMEs.  What would 
be best - maintain current schedule (once every two years), 
offer more frequently (specify, for example, once every one 
and one-half years), or offer less freuently 
(specify).  Secondly, should all posts have an equal 
opportunity to have CMEs with the same frequency or should 
level of threat to post guide us in scheduling their 
frequency? 
 
¶G.  Answer:  Since Embassy Riyadh is a maximum danger, 
unaccompanied, one-year posting, Post recommends that CME 
training occur once a year. Once a year, in the early fall 
just after most new officers arrive, would be an ideal time 
for training. 
GFOELLER