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).

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Summary
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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.

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Local Response to Events in Fallujah
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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.

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Continued Vigilance
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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