[council] Fwd: New information related to ICANN Nairobi Meeting

[Glen de Saint Géry <Glen@xxxxxxxxx>]

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Note that this information is also posted at the ICANN website at:
http://nbo.icann.org/meetings/security-information-11feb10-en.htm

Dear ICANN Community,

Within the last 24 hours, we received an unclassified report from the United 
States' Department of State related to the Kenyatta International Conference 
Center, the venue for our upcoming meeting (attached below).

The types of threats outlined in that communication are difficult to assess. 
ICANN is now reaching out to different parties in Kenya and elsewhere to see if 
it is possible to better assess the situation, and of course will share any 
further information with you.

Sammy Buruchara, Chairman of the ICANN 2010 Local Steering Committee in Nairobi 
has already provided the following information:
"In relation with the Security threat by Al Shabaab to US Embassy and KICC, I 
wish to on behalf of ICANN 2010 Local Organizing committee and on behalf of the 
relevant Kenya Government Security Agencies state the following:

The Kenya Government is aware of the Security Threat by Al Shabaab on KICC and 
on the United States Embassy in Nairobi. Our security organs that include 
National Security Intelligence Service (NSIS) and Kenya Anti-Terrorism Police 
have been alerted and will make appropriate security responses to deal with 
this threat. Through their network of security agents, they have made 
contingency plans to thwart any possible terrorist plot that will target 
Nairobi City, including  KICC and all the Hotels in which delegates will be 
hosted, and the US Embassy.

I wish to assure ICANN Community that the Kenya Government is committed to 
ensure your safety during the ICANN event and will take necessary security 
measures to guarantee the safety of all participants during the Conference."

In the most transparent manner possible, ICANN will continue to share 
information as it becomes available. Just like you, we're processing this 
information, and seeing how and if we need to update procedures and plans for 
the upcoming meeting.

Sincerely,
Doug Brent

Information from U.S. State Department

"As of early February 2010, individuals affiliated with al-Shabaab al-Islamiya 
were planning suicide bombing attacks on the US Embassy and Kenyan 
International Conference Center in Nairobi, Kenya.  The individuals were 
targeting the KICC because it was deemed the largest and oldest building 
associated with the Kenyan government.  The US Embassy was targeted for its 
support of the Kenyan government.  As of early February, the individuals 
planning to carry out the attacks were living in Somali communities in Kenya.  
We have no additional information regarding the possible individuals involved 
in the plot, timing, or method of the attack.

This is all the information we have at this time, and we will continue to keep 
you updated if there are any potential updates."