EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 08/10/2005

S E C R E T MUSCAT 001256

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, NEA/ARPI, NEA/EX
DEPT ALSO FOR DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/DSS/CC, CA/OCS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1
TAGS: AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER CASC KHLS MU EAC
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 08/10/2005

REF: A. IIR 4 201 3706 05

B. MUSCAT 1230

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission William R. Stewart.
Reason: 1.4(c).

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Summary
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1. (SBU) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the Emergency
Action Committee (EAC) on August 10 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.

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Security Environment
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2. (S/NF) On August 10, the Ambassador 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. SIMO did, however, raise regional
reporting referencing Oman (reference A),which, similar to
related reporting previously discussed by the EAC (reftel B),
contained no/no new specific threat information. NOTE:
Reference A was passed to Omani services by SIMO. END NOTE.


3. (S/NF) RSO and SIMO noted that they remain in close
contact with their Omani government counterparts, who
continue to affirm that the security services maintain
proactive control of the local security situation, but are
nonetheless poised to respond to any threats that may
surface. On a related note, RSO commented on an August 9
meeting with Royal Oman Police officials, in which the
Director General of Operations echoed prior statements
regarding the significant assets assigned specifically to
safeguard American personnel and interests.

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Sustained Vigilance
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4. (SBU) Prior to concluding the meeting, and consistent
with the Department's most recent Public Announcements
(reftel B),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 and situationally
aware. RSO further re-emphasized the importance of
immediately reporting all suspicious activity or
security-related incidents to Post One.

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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 August 6 (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. AMB, DCM, A/MGT, RSO, ARSO, SIMO, CONS, PAO, DAO, OMC
(USDR),ECA (USCENTAF),and Duty Officer participated in the
meeting.
BALTIMORE