LIFE IN THE GREED ZONE: BAGHDAD COUNTRY CLUB OFF LIMITS AFTER 6PM-- UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY McCAIN'S ARMED CONTINGENT

Yesterday something like 200 civilians going about their day to day lives in George Bush's Iraq were killed. McCain was out sniffing for campaign dollars and not on a Baghdad neighborhood stroll or a bargain hunting shopping trip with silly Lindsey Graham (R-Closet) and crazy Mike Pence (R-Indiana country market).

This morning, Fred, our pal in Baghdad, forwarded us a Security Notice (#06-688) that went out to all U.S. personnel working there from Senior Regional Security Officer Randall Bennett. The subject: Baghdad Country Club Bar and Restaurant Off-Limits after 1800 hours. Oh dear; what will nights in the Greed Zone be like now?

The Regional Security Office (RSO) continues to receive threat reporting of possible attacks planned within the International Zone and works closely with the Joint Area Support Group (JASG), International Zone (IZ) Police, and other military elements to counter these threats.

Our best defense, however, will always be the personal ownership each Mission employee assumes for his/her own safety. Each of you should periodically review your security posture to identify any possible vulnerability such as the RSO does so for the entire Mission. In a critical threat environment, the most fundamental security concepts are to lower your personal profile and to avoid places where Westerners frequently congregate, such as restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

RSO has conducted a security survey of the Baghdad Country Club restaurant/bar. The restaurant/bar presents several vulnerabilities to include zero setback, no reinforced perimeter physical security, and only three Iraqi guards on patrol at night. The wine bar and restaurant will only be open in the evenings beginning at 7:00 p.m.

The RSO has placed this establishment off-limits after 6:00 p.m. If you choose to go to the adjacent beverage and general merchandise store during the day, you should increase your vigilance, look for possible surveillance or suspicious activity, travel in groups, and have someone watch your vehicle while you are in the store. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact ARSO Ricardo Gibert at 914-822-9060 or gibertr@state.gov/

Can someone forward this to Senators McCain and Graham and Congressmen Renzi and Pence?