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).

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Summary
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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.

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Security Environment
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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.

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Upcoming Events
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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.

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Terrorist Tactics
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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.

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Sustained Vigilance
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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.
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EAC Conclusion
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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