EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 12/06/2004

S E C R E T MUSCAT 002125

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 AMGT PTER CASC KHLS MU EAC
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 12/06/2004

REF: A. CC-RSO TELCON DTD 12/06/04

B. MUSCAT 2110

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission William R. Stewart.
Reason: 1.4(c).

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Summary
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1. (SBU) Summary: The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the
Emergency Action Committee December 6 to review the Embassy's
security posture following reports that Consulate General
Jeddah had been attacked. After reviewing the known facts
about the attack, members of the EAC noted there was no new
threat reporting specific to Oman, and concluded that there
have been no substantive changes in the local security
environment. The EAC did, however, agree to reconvene
tomorrow, December 7, to discuss updates on the Jeddah
attack. End Summary.

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Security Environment
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2. (S/NF) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the Emergency
Action Committee ("EAC") December 6 to review the Embassy's
security posture following reports that gunmen had attacked
Consulate General Jeddah. The meeting opened with a review
of the known facts, derived from both official and press
reporting. RSO advised that immediately following initial
reports of the attack, he requested augmented Royal Oman
Police (ROP) coverage at both the Chancery and in residential
neighborhoods; RMAS advised that they are in the process of
requesting the same via their Omani government counterparts.
Marine Security Guard, Surveillance Detection Unit, and local
guard personnel were also briefed accordingly. RSO confirmed
that details on the Jeddah attack will be briefed to U.S.
Secret Service advance personnel preparing for the upcoming

SIPDIS
visit of Vice President and Mrs. Cheney to Muscat on December

7.

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Impact on Upcoming Events
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3. (SBU) The EAC again reviewed security preparations for
the 229th U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Ball, to be held at the
InterContinental Muscat on December 9. The EAC agreed to
move forward with the event, which will receive extensive ROP
support. RSO reiterated the ROP's responsiveness to the
Embassy's security needs, as witnessed by the protective
security coverage provided for a recent event sponsored by
The American International School of Muscat.

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EAC Conclusion
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5. (S/NF) After carefully reviewing the known facts about
the attack in Jeddah, EAC members noted no new threat
reporting specific to Oman, and concurred that there have
been no substantive changes in previously reported
assessments of the local security and threat environments
(reftel B). Nonetheless, the EAC remains acutely aware of
the need to monitor both the regional and local security
situation, and is prepared to take the necessary
countermeasures should changes to either occur. AMB, DCM,
RSO, ARSO, RMAS, P/E, PAO, CONS, MGT, MSG, DAO, OMC (USDR),
and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting.


6. (SBU) The EAC will reconvene tomorrow, December 7, to
discuss updates on the Jeddah attack.
BALTIMORE