EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 11/17/2004

S E C R E T MUSCAT 002009 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPT. FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/DSS/CC, DS/OSAC, CA/OCS, NEA/EX, NEA/ARPI E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1 TAGS: AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER CASC KHLS MU EAC SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 11/17/2004 REF: A. MUSCAT 1995 ¶B. MUSCAT 1978 Classified By: Ambassador Richard L. Baltimore III. Reason: 1.4(c). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the core Emergency Action Committee ("EAC") on November 17 to reassess the Embassy's security posture prior to the local holiday weekend and to discuss any security implications of recent military events in Fallujah, Iraq. -------------- Local Response to Events in Fallujah -------------- ¶2. (S/NF) The EAC reviewed the known facts regarding the ongoing military operations in Fallujah, Iraq. The EAC determined that, at present, such operations have posed little to no/no security implications for the Embassy. However, as discussed in reftel B, Omani public opinion is shaped in large part on how these military events are portrayed in the regional and local media. The Committee noted that the controversial video footage of a U.S. Marine shooting an allegedly unarmed insurgent in a Fallujah mosque is receiving extensively critical coverage in the local newspapers. The EAC concluded that there has been no change in the local security environment since its last meeting held on November 13 (reftel A) and that the Embassy's FPCON (Bravo) and already heightened security posture remain appropriate. RSO and RMAS affirmed that their Omani government counterparts continue to emphasize that they have control of the local security situation and are poised to respond to any imminent threat to American personnel or interests in Oman. -------------- Continued Vigilance -------------- ¶3. (S/NF) Prior to concluding the meeting, A/RSO reiterated that members of the EAC should continue reinforcing to both their staffs and family members the need to maintain a low profile and to remain unpredictable. A/RSO also re-emphasized the importance of immediately reporting suspicious activity or security-related incidents, especially those involving suspected surveillance, to Post One. The EAC remains acutely aware of the need to monitor both the regional and local security environments, and is prepared to take the necessary countermeasures should changes to either occur. AMB, P/E, A/RSO, RMAS, OMC (USDR),DAO, MGT, and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting. BALTIMORE