EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 07/16/2005

S E C R E T MUSCAT 001117 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 - 07/16/2005 REF: A. SECSTATE 131191 ¶B. MUSCAT 1104 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission William R. Stewart. Reason: 1.4(c). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) chaired a meeting of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on July 16 to review the Embassy's security posture following 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 16, the DCM chaired a meeting of the full EAC to review the Embassy's security posture following the local weekend. The meeting opened with a discussion of the local security situation, which the EAC continues to characterize as stable, then moved to a brief by the Regional Security Officer (RSO) on two potential surveillance incidents reported over the weekend (SIMAS #'s 73298 & 73300). Members of the EAC cited no security incidents among their staffs or family members over the weekend, while the Duty Officer confirmed that there were no reported security incidents or security-related queries from the private American citizen community. The EAC noted no/no new threat reporting specific to Oman. -------------- Terrorist Tactics and Sustained Vigilance -------------- ¶3. (S/NF) Prior to concluding the meeting, RSO led a review of reftel A, regarding recent reporting that suggests an increase in kidnapping threats against Western targets around the world. In addition to confirming action on paragraph 7, RSO noted that such reporting serves as a vivid reminder that members of the EAC must continue reinforcing to both their staffs and family members the criticality of sustained vigilance regarding all aspects of personal security - to include maintaining a low profile, and remaining unpredictable and situationally aware. -------------- EAC Conclusion -------------- ¶4. (S/NF) The EAC concluded that there have been no substantive changes in the local security environment since the last meeting held on July 13 (reftel B). 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. DCM, P/E, MGT, RSO, ARSO, RMAS, PAO, DAO, OMC (USDR), ECA (USCENTAF),and Duty Officer participated in the meeting. BALTIMORE