Threat Level and Closure of the U.S. Embassy in Kenya

QUESTION: What can you tell us about threat level and closure of the U.S. Embassy in Kenya?

MR. REEKER: Kenya. The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi is completely closed today to review its security posture. As you are aware, we often close our embassies or other diplomatic offices abroad to review security. That is mentioned in our Worldwide Caution on Security that has been in place for some time.

The Embassy, just as any of our diplomatic posts abroad, constantly reviews security and takes appropriate actions when warranted. We do expect that the Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya will remain closed Monday and Tuesday. But, obviously, we will keep you current on that as the weekend goes by and those days arrive.

QUESTION: Is there anything you can tell us about reports coming out of various government agencies as to the specific threats in Kenya?

MR. REEKER: No. I have nothing more detailed on any intelligence, but as we have indicated in the past, we do monitor this very closely. As you know, East Africa has been an area of terrorist threats and, indeed, terrorist attacks in the past.

History has shown, of course, the previous bombing of our embassy in Nairobi, the horrible bombing in Mombassa, and so those threats are still out there. We continue working, obviously, with the Kenyan Government, but with other governments in the region and all around the world to counter those threats, to do whatever we can to stop terrorism.

QUESTION: And has the Kenyan Government been receptive and helpful in providing security? Sometimes we've had not as much --

MR. REEKER: We continue to work very closely with the Kenyan Government on security for, obviously for our mission, our buildings and our personnel in Kenya and in the overall worldwide fight against terrorism in terms of intelligence sharing, in terms of law enforcement cooperation, in terms of other actions that we have been taking on that.

QUESTION: So you're happy with the level of cooperation?

MR. REEKER: Yes.

QUESTION: When you say completely closed, you mean that nobody's -- nobody's going there, or just closed to the public?

MR. REEKER: That is my understanding, that it is completely closed today. I can't tell you that there is, you know, not a single person that may go in or out, but there are no public services being offered. Obviously, for American citizens in need of emergency services, they can contact the Embassy. There are emergency numbers available and we can always endeavor to help Americans in need, but basic services provided by the Embassy in terms of visas and other things would be suspended today, and Monday/Tuesday if it remains closed.