EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 06/22/2005

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 001001

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DEPT FOR DS, S/CT, D, P, M, INR, CA, NEA/ARPI, NEA/EX
DEPT ALSO FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/CC, DS/DSS/OSAC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1
TAGS: AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER CASC KHLS MU EAC
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 06/22/2005

REF: A. MUSCAT 0977

B. SECSTATE 110699

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Michael G. Snowden.
Reason: 1.4(c)(g).

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Summary
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1. (SBU) The Charge chaired a meeting of the Emergency
Action Committee (EAC) on June 22 to review security
arrangements for the Embassy's upcoming Independence Day
celebration, as well as to assess the overall security
environment prior to the local weekend. The EAC agreed on
both security measures for the celebration and the
appropriateness of the Embassy's already heightened security
posture and force protection condition (FPCON). Members
noted no changes in their previous assessment of the local
security situation (reftel A). End Summary.

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Local Security Environment
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2. (SBU) On June 22, the Charge chaired a meeting of the
EAC to review security arrangements for the Embassy's
upcoming Independence Day celebration, as well as to assess
the overall security environment 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/no new threat reporting specific
to Oman.

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Independence Day Celebration
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3. (SBU) Pursuant to reftel B, the EAC reviewed security
preparations for the Embassy's official Independence Day
event, scheduled for Monday, July 4, at the Intercontinental
Muscat hotel. The event will be open only to invited guests,
primarily Omani officials, resident diplomats, and other
important contacts, as well as Embassy personnel and spouses.


4. (C) RSO advised that security for the event will be
coordinated closely with the Intercontinental Muscat's
management and security staff, as well as numerous elements
within the Royal Oman Police (ROP). ROP support will include
extensive uniformed and plain-clothed coverage in and around
the venue, including EOD support and the enforcement of a
no-parking standoff zone. Both the ROP and Intercontinental
Muscat are familiar with, and remain very responsive to, the
Embassy's security concerns and requirements.


5. (C) Carefully considering reftel B guidance, and in
light of the aforementioned guest list, the EAC agreed that
screening of invited attendees bearing invitations would not
be necessary. However, RSO confirmed that the ROP, which
will provide access control for the duration of the event,
will be poised to physically screen guests who are unable to
produce their serialized invitation or a valid form of
identification.


6. (SBU) Per reftel B, the EAC also discussed the option of
issuing a warden message with general security information to
the private American citizen community. Given the absence of
specific threat information, consensus was that previously
published Worldwide Caution and Middle East/North Africa
Public Announcements were sufficient.

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Sustained Vigilance and the Transfer Season
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7. (SBU) Prior to concluding the meeting, RSO reiterated
that, despite the relative calm, members of the EAC must
continue reinforcing to both their staffs and family members
the need for vigilance regarding all aspects of personal
security - to include maintaining a low profile and remaining
unpredictable. CDA highlighted that such reinforcement is
essential as new personnel and family members begin arriving
in conjunction with the summer transfer season. RSO further
re-emphasized the criticality of immediately reporting all
suspicious activity or security-related incidents,
particularly incidents of possible surveillance, to Post One.

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EAC Conclusion
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8. (S/NF) The EAC concluded that there have been no
substantive changes in the local security environment since
the last meeting held on June 18 (reftel A). Accordingly,
members agreed that the Embassy's already heightened security
posture and FPCON remain appropriate. Embassy Muscat 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. CDA, P/E, MGT, RSO, RMAS, CONS, PAO, CLO, DAO, OMC
(USDR),ECA (USCENTAF),and Duty Officer participated in the
meeting.
SNOWDEN