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). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶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. -------------- Security Environment -------------- ¶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. -------------- Holiday Events -------------- ¶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. -------------- EAC Conclusion -------------- ¶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