Cablegate: Addis Ababa Eac Meets to Discuss End of Ramadan

VZCZCXYZ0012
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDS #2694 2740948
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 300948Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2194

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 002694

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR: DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, AF/EX AND CA/OCS/ACS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC
SUBJECT: ADDIS ABABA EAC MEETS TO DISCUSS END OF RAMADAN
(EID) AND SEPTEMBER 28, 2008 BOMBING OF ANDINET HOTEL IN
JIJIGA, ETHIOPIA

1. (SBU) SUMMARY: U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa's Emergency
Action Committee (EAC) convened on September 29, 2008 to
review the details of the September 28, 2008 hotel bombing in
Jijiga, Ethiopia which killed four and wounded twenty-two.
Post's focus was to determine what impact this may have on
Mission activities in and travel to Ethiopia's Somali and
Ogaden regions. Additionally, Post wanted to discuss the
upcoming Eid holiday. END SUMMARY.

2. (SBU) U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa's EAC convened on
September 29, 2008 to discuss the September 28, 2008 bombing
of the Andinet Hotel in Jijiga, Ethiopia which killed four
and wounded twenty-two. The EAC was chaired by the DCM and
included: CONS, CDC, P/E, DAO, PAO, RAO, RSO, CJTF HOA,
USAID, CLO and the U.S. Mission to the African Union and the
African Center for Strategic Studies.

3. (SBU) RSO briefed the EAC on what the Ethiopian Federal
Police (EFP) had reported regarding the incident. According
to the EFP on September 28, 2008 at 10:15 AM a bomb that had
either had been placed under or was within a motorized three
wheel motorcycle taxi detonated in front of the Andinet
Hotel, which is co-located next to the African Hotel. NOTE:
Both of these hotels cater to host country nationals. END
NOTE. Local EFP officials reported four dead with twenty-two
wounded in the attack and further stated that they had one
person in custody (NFI). DCM noted that that travel to the
Somali and Ogaden regions for persons under COM authority
continues to be closely monitored and authorized on a
case-by-case basis. Further supervisors must ensure staff
traveling to these regions on approved travel implement and
practice sound personal security measures. EAC members
agreed that there was not any new information to pass to the
American community via a warden and/or travel warning
message/s. Further, EAC members also agreed that there was
not any specific threat information pertaining to U.S.
personnel, facilities or interests within Ethiopia during the
Eid holiday.

4. (SBU) Post will continue to monitor the security
environment and will report any developments to the
Department accordingly.
MALAC

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