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