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FM AMEMBASSY ALGIERS
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RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT IMMEDIATE 6641
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RUEHBP/AMEMBASSY BAMAKO IMMEDIATE 0849
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S E C R E T ALGIERS 000107 
 
NOFORN 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2024 
TAGS: PREL PINR KPAO MARR ASEC AMGT KMSG AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIA SCANDAL: LOCAL REACTIONS, EAC ACTIONS 
 
REF: ALGIERS 106 
 
Classified By: Ambassador David D. Pearce; reasons 1.4 (b, d and g). 
 
¶1. (S/NF) As of Friday afternoon, January 30, there has been 
effectively no Algerian public reaction to the January 28 ABC 
News story (reftel).  This could change in days to come 
depending on media coverage and government response.  Initial 
government response, per reftel, has been restrained.  We 
have received numerous press inquiries from Algerian and 
international news outlets, and we expect the story to 
receive heavy coverage in the January 31 print media, as 
newspapers do not publish on Fridays and the story broke too 
late in the day on January 28 to make the January 29 Algerian 
press.  The story has not aired on Algerian state-controlled 
television, nor would it without government approval.  It has 
also received very little coverage so far on pan-Arab 
satellite networks Al-Arabiya and Al-Jazeera. 
State-controlled mosque sermons at midday prayers on Friday, 
January 30, mentioned neither the story nor the U.S.  The 
Hydra police chief told us on January 30 he was aware of the 
story, but said that it "does not change our relationship" or 
cooperation related to the security of Embassy facilities and 
personnel. 
 
¶2. (S/NF) On January 29, Ambassador convened a meeting of 
Emergency Action Committee members, including A/DCM (P/E 
chief), GRPO, RSO and PAO.  The group reviewed the breaking 
ABC news report and Department guidance for meetings with 
Algerian officials in both government and security liaison 
channels.  Results of those initial government contacts were 
reported reftel.  A/DCM, as EAC chair, and RSO followed up 
separately and repeatedly throughout January 29 and 30 with 
EAC members from MGT, CONS, MSG and DAO as post kept its 
security posture under continuous review.  RSO sent out 
several SMS alerting all staff to keep a low profile, 
maintain personal security, and reminding all Mission 
personnel of the importance of staying vigilant, reporting 
any suspicious activities immediately.  The MSG Detachment 
has been on alert, and keeping a record of all incoming phone 
inquiries, passing relevant media information to the PAO. 
PAO has the lead on all press and public inquiries.  We have 
been in contact with Algerian government officials several 
times on January 29 and with the MFA on the morning of 
January 30.  During the afternoon of January 29, we exercised 
the Embassy cascade emergency phone tree, also transmitting 
instructions to ensure that section heads had all American 
and local staff accounted for and reachable in an emergency. 
 
¶3. (S/NF) We will convene a full EAC meeting the afternoon of 
January 31, to review the Saturday press coverage and assess 
its impact.  Currently, RSO and GRPO report no specific 
threat information against the Embassy, American staff or 
American interests.  Ambassador has called on the 
Minister-Delegate of Defense, phoned the Director-General of 
the Americas and transmitted our cleared guidance to both 
(reftel).   PAO has alerted all PD LES on strictly passing 
all inquiries to the PAO, and PD LES have been monitoring 
local and pan-Arab media throughout the Algerian weekend. 
Ambassador sent out a brief message (also transmitted by 
email to NEA/MAG) to the entire Embassy community on Thursday 
evening, which will greet all staff when they begin the work 
week on the morning of January 31. 
 
¶4. (S/NF) Our next step is to assess the Algerian public 
response following the expected press coverage on January 31. 
 The Hydra police chief confirmed to RSO that any assistance 
needed to support the Embassy in the immediate future will be 
made available.  As of late afternoon on January 30, the 
Algerian public had seen very little of the story, and given 
its absence from Friday mosque sermons and Algerian 
television, the government seems content to keep it that way 
and avoid arousing popular passion.  The official reaction, 
from the Defense Ministry to the MFA and local police, 
continues to reflect appreciation for the guidance we have 
provided and a shared desire not to let the story have a 
negative impact on our bilateral relationship. 
 
¶5. (U) Points of contact for this cable are RSO Kevin Whitson 
and A/DCM Mark Schapiro. 
PEARCE