EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 12/04/2004

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 002110 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 PTER CASC KHLS KMSG OVIP AMGT KVPR MU EAC SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 12/04/2004 REF: A. SECSTATE 257623 ¶B. MUSCAT 2093 ¶C. SECSTATE 250081 Classified By: Ambassador Richard L. Baltimore III. Reason: 1.4(c)(g). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the core Emergency Action Committee December 4 to review the Embassy's security posture following the local weekend. 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") December 4 to review the Embassy's security posture following the local weekend. The meeting opened with a discussion of 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 environments. 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. -------------- Upcoming Events -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The EAC focused their review of upcoming events on the visit of Vice President and Mrs. Cheney to Muscat on December 7. Security for the visit is being closely coordinated with U.S. Secret Service advance agents and Omani government security personnel. ¶4. (C) RSO also provided an update on security preparations for the 229th U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Ball, to be held at the InterContinental Muscat on December 9. As previously reported, 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. While the EAC agreed that screening invited guests with proper identification was not necessary, the ROP, who will also provide access control for the duration of the event, will be prepared to physically screen guests as required. RSO noted that the ROP remains responsive to the Embassy's security needs, as witnessed by the protective security coverage provided for The American International School of Muscat's holiday ball, held on December 2. -------------- Terrorist Tactics -------------- ¶5. (SBU) RSO briefly reviewed the contents of reftels A and C, regarding terrorist tactics. RSO confirmed that appropriate security personnel and Embassy staff will be briefed as detailed in reftels. -------------- Sustained Vigilance -------------- ¶6. (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 -------------- ¶7. (S/NF) The EAC concluded that there has been no substantive change in the local security environment since the last meeting held on December 1 (reftel B),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, MGT, MSG, DAO, OMC (USDR),and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting, which was preceded by a meeting of the Visas Viper Committee. BALTIMORE