Cablegate: Post Convenes Emergency Action Committee Meeting

VZCZCXRO4718
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHFN #0745 3521739
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 181739Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1597
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS FREETOWN 000745

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DS/IP/AF, DS/DSS/CC, AF/W, AF/EX, S/CT, CA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PTER SL
SUBJECT: POST CONVENES EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING

REF: STATE 165787

1. In response to reftel, Ambassador Perry convened an
Emergency Action Committee Meeting (EAC) on December 18, 2007
to discuss our current political and security situation in
Sierra Leone heading into the holiday season. The Ambassador
expressed concern over the current situation of rising fuel
prices within the country and the fact that the new
administration does not have a sufficient amount of money to
meet all its goals to improve the country. This coupled with
the possibility of the government failing to live up to a
promise to provide electrical power to Freetown by December
20th may prompt discontent among the population.

2. The EAC agreed that the present security posture at the
Embassy is commensurate with the current situation. However,
the RSO took this opportunity to review with EAC members,
their areas of responsibilities and key components within the
Post's Emergency Action Plan. In addition, the RSO urged
staff members to review a recently distributed security
notice highlighting safe practices for the holiday season, a
time when the heavy influx of visitors attracts criminal
activity.

3. The EAC will continue to monitor the current situation
and will make adjustments to Post security posture as needed.

PERRY

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