EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 11/27/2004

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 002047

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DEPT. FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/DSS/CC, DS/OSAC,
DS/IP/SPC/MSG, CA/OCS, NEA/EX, NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1
TAGS: AEMR ASEC KMSG AMGT PTER CASC KHLS MU EAC
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 11/27/2004

REF: A. MUSCAT 2017


B. SECSTATE 199800

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

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (SBU) Summary: The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the
core Emergency Action Committee November 27 to review both
the Embassy's security posture following the local weekend
and preparations for the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Ball.
Members of the EAC noted no new threat reporting specific to
Oman, and concluded that there have been no substantive
changes in the local security environment since the last
meeting. Accordingly, the EAC agreed that the Embassy's
already heightened security posture and FPCON remain
appropriate. End Summary.

--------------
Security Environment
--------------


2. (SBU) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the core
Emergency Action Committee ("EAC") November 27 to review both
the Embassy's security posture following the local weekend
and preparations for the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Ball.
The meeting opened with a discussion on the local security
situation, which the EAC continued to characterize as stable.
Likewise, the EAC noted no new threat reporting specific to
Oman, and concurred that there have been no substantive
changes in previously reported assessments of the security
and threat environment. Members of the EAC cited no security
incidents among their staffs or family members over the
weekend, and CONS confirmed that there were no security
incidents or security-related queries from the private
American citizen community.

--------------
USMC Birthday Ball
--------------


3. (C) Pursuant to reftel B, RSO led a review of security
preparations for the 229th U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Ball,
to be held at the InterContinental Muscat on December 9.
Security for the event will include extensive uniformed and
plain-clothed Royal Oman Police (ROP) coverage in and around
the venue, as well as EOD support and the enforcement of a no
parking zone. Surveillance Detection Unit assets will also
provide support. RSO staff and MSG personnel are scheduled
to meet with the ROP's Special Task Force and
InterContinental management on November 28.

--------------
Sustained Vigilance
--------------


4. (SBU) Prior to concluding the meeting, RSO reiterated
that members of the EAC should continue reinforcing to both
their staffs and family members the need for vigilance
regarding all aspects of personal security, including the
need to maintain a low profile and to remain unpredictable.
RSO also re-emphasized the importance of immediately
reporting suspicious activity or security-related incidents
-- especially those involving suspected surveillance -- to
Post One.

--------------
EAC Conclusion
--------------


5. (S/NF) The EAC concluded that there has been no
substantive change in the local security environment since
the last meeting held on November 22 (reftel A),and that the
Embassy's FPCON and already heightened security posture
remain appropriate. Nonetheless, the EAC remains acutely
aware of the need to monitor both the regional and local
security and threat environments, and is prepared to take the
necessary countermeasures should changes to either occur.
AMB, DCM, RSO, ARSO, RMAS, P/E, CONS, PAO, MGT, MSG, DAO, OMC
(USDR),and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting.
BALTIMORE