EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 12/15/2004

S E C R E T MUSCAT 002195

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DEPT. FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/DSS/CC, DS/OSAC,
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 - 12/15/2004

REF: MUSCAT 2153

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

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Summary
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1. (SBU) Summary: The Ambassador chaired December 15 a
meeting of the core Emergency Action Committee to review the
Embassy's security posture prior to 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) On December 15, the Ambassador chaired a meeting
of the core Emergency Action Committee ("EAC") to review the
Embassy's security posture prior to 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.

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Holiday Events
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3. (SBU) The EAC also discussed numerous private and
official events scheduled for the holiday season, ranging
from representational events hosted at residences to a family
event this weekend at the Chancery. Specifically, the DCM
reminded all sections to fully coordinate with RSO and/or the
EAC on security requirements for said events.


4. (SBU) On a related note, the Ambassador reiterated that
the holiday season, and its host of events, call for members
of the EAC to continue reinforcing to both their staffs and
family members the need to maintain their current level of
vigilance regarding personal security practices. Similarly,
RSO added the importance and effectiveness of immediately
reporting suspicious activity or security-related incidents.

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EAC Conclusion
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5. (S/NF) The EAC concluded that there have been no
substantive changes in the local security environment since
the last meeting held on December 11 (reftel),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, RMAS, P/E, CONS, MGT, DAO, OMC (USDR),and ECA
(USCENTAF) participated in the meeting.
BALTIMORE