EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 07/13/2005

S E C R E T MUSCAT 001104 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, NEA/ARPI, NEA/EX DEPT ALSO FOR DS/DSS/CC, DS/DSS/OSAC, CA/OCS E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1 TAGS: AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER CASC KHLS MU EAC SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 07/13/2005 REF: A. MUSCAT 1080 ¶B. SECSTATE 121481 Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Michael G. Snowden. Reason: 1.4(c). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Acting Deputy Chief of Mission (A/DCM) chaired a meeting of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on July 13 to review the Embassy's security posture prior to the local weekend. Members noted 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 force protection condition (FPCON) remain appropriate. End Summary. -------------- Local Security Environment -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On July 13, the A/DCM chaired a meeting of the core 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/no new threat reporting specific to Oman. -------------- Reporting Surveillance Incidents -------------- ¶3. (S/NF) ARSO led a review of reftel B, regarding the reporting of potential surveillance incidents. Specifically, ARSO briefed the core EAC on the various surveillance incidents outlined in reftel B, and reminded all in attendance that surveillance can occur via various means. All EAC members were reminded to report any suspected surveillance incidents immediately to Post One upon observation - no matter how insignificant an incident may appear. Members were asked to bring this message back to their respective sections and share it with all employees under their supervision. Members were also advised that reftel B was available for full review upon request. -------------- Sustained Vigilance -------------- ¶4. (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. -------------- 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 July 9 (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. A/DCM, RSO, ARSO, MGT (Duty Officer),RMAS, CONS, OMC (USDR),and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting. BALTIMORE