Cablegate: Mghh01: Usint Havana Emergency Action Committee -

VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUB #0731 2502127
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 062127Z SEP 08
FM USINT HAVANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3704
INFO RUEHMI/USOFFICE FRC FT LAUDERDALE 0966

UNCLAS HAVANA 000731

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CCA, WHA/EX
STATE FOR CA/OCS/ACS/WHA, DS/IP/WHA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC AEMR AMGT CASC PREL PINR CU
SUBJECT: MGHH01: USINT HAVANA EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE -
HURRICANE IKE UPDATE

1. Post's Emergency Action Committee (EAC) met this afternoon to
discuss changes to Hurricane Ike's projected path and the potential
impact to UNINT operations.

2. As of 2:00 p.m., Saturday, Ike was a Category Three (3) storm
approximately 300 miles east of Cuba and scheduled to make landfall
near Holguin Province on Sunday evening. The National Hurricane
Center projects the storm to pass over Havana either late Monday or
early Tuesday.

3. Earlier today, USINT contacted all American staff to gauge
interest in an authorized departure but only one family expressed
the desire to leave. A final decision regarding authorized
departure will be made at the EAC scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.
The EAC also discussed the likelihood of relocating seven families
living near the ocean to residences in elevated parts of the city to
include the Marine Security Guard Detachment. The Detachment will
be stationed at USINT during the storm.

4. The EAC also discussed early departure for employees on Monday
and closing USINT on Tuesday due to the storm and, if that's the
case, will issue appropriate public announcements via the Internet
and consular call center.

5. Post EAC will meet again on Sunday at 12:00 noon.

FARRAR

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