EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 11/22/2004

S E C R E T MUSCAT 002017

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 - 11/22/2004

REF: MUSCAT 2009

Classified By: Ambassador Richard L. Baltimore III.
Reason: 1.4(c).


1. (U) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the core Emergency
Action Committee ("EAC") on November 22 to reassess the
Embassy's security posture following the local holiday
weekend and to discuss any possible security concerns
relative to a series of upcoming Embassy and community
events.

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Upcoming Events and Local Security
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2. (S/NF) The EAC reviewed the security implications for a
number of upcoming Embassy-sponsored and community events to
include the scheduled ship visits of the USS Juneau from
11/28 - 12/02, USS The Sullivans from 12/7 - 12/13, USS Barry
from 12/23 - 12/27, and the USS Underwood from 01/11 - 01/14;
both the USMC Birthday Ball on 12/09 and The American
International School's Tropical Ball on 12/02; and a popular
craft bazaar sponsored by a local American women's
organization on 11/26. The EAC concluded that there has been
no change in the local security environment since its last
meeting held on November 17 (reftel) 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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Maintaining Personal Security
--------------


3. (S/NF) Members of the EAC cited no security incidents
among their staffs or dependents over the extended holiday
weekend. Likewise, CONS confirmed that there were no
security incidents or related queries from the private
American citizen community. Members agreed that despite the
relative calm, the EAC should continue reinforcing to both
their staffs and family members the need to maintain a low
profile and to remain unpredictable. RSO 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, DCM,
CONS, P/E, RSO, ARSO, RMAS, OMC (USDR),DAO, MGT, and ECA
(USCENTAF) participated in the meeting.
BALTIMORE