EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 08/27/2005

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 001311

SIPDIS

NOFORN

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1
TAGS: AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER ABLD CASC KHLS MU EAC
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 08/27/2005

REF: A. SECSTATE 156631


B. SECSTATE 156174

C. MUSCAT 1302

D. SECSTATE 154261

E. MUSCAT 1288

F. TD-314/48803-05

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 27 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.

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Local Security Situation
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2. (S/NF) On August 27, the Ambassador 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
continued to characterize as stable. SIMO discussed general
threat reporting directed at the Gulf Region as a whole
(reftel F); however, the EAC noted no/no new threat
information specific to Oman. Following concerns raised in
the August 20 EAC (reftel E),RSO and SIMO confirmed that the
initial report of a specific threat to Oman's airports was
erroneous (reftel B). Members, including Duty Officer, cited
no security incidents among their staffs or family members
over the weekend, while CONS confirmed that there were no
reported security incidents or security-related queries from
the private American citizen community.

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Emergency Preparedness
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3. (SBU) RSO informed the EAC that on August 25, the
Embassy's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) was approved by the
Bureau of Diplomatic Security (reftel A). RSO noted the EAP
will soon be published on the Diplomatic Security secure
website, DS Source.


4. (SBU) ARSO briefed the EAC on the upcoming unannounced
Embassy-wide bomb drill that will take place during the week
of September 10-14. ARSO confirmed that notices regarding
the drill and an updated Office Warden list will be issued.
ARSO also reminded EAC members to review their emergency
procedures and inform their Office Wardens to do the same.

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Physical Security
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5. (SBU) In reviewing the latest physical security
upgrades, RSO discussed completion of construction of the
motorpool safe area. Members were advised that new
procedures regarding the utilization of the safe area will be
published shortly.


6. (SBU) RSO also briefed the EAC on funds received to
build a new guard booth (reftel D),improving security
posture to the north side of the Embassy. The projected
start date for construction is sometime in September.

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EAC Conclusion
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7. (S/NF) The EAC concluded that there have been no
substantive changes in the local security environment since
the last meeting held on August 24 (reftel C). 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, P/E (Duty Officer),MGT, RSO, ARSO, SIMO,
PAO, CONS, MSG, DAO, OMC (USDR),and ECA (USCENTAF)
participated in the meeting.
BALTIMORE