Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
05MUSCAT135 | 2005-01-25 12:26:00 | SECRET//NOFORN | Embassy Muscat |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. |
S E C R E T MUSCAT 000135 |
1. (SBU) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the Emergency Action Committee January 25 to review the Embassy's security posture following the Eid al-Adha holiday. Members of the EAC 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 FPCON remain appropriate. End Summary. -------------------------- Security and Threat Environments -------------------------- 2. (S/NF) On January 25, the Ambassador chaired a meeting of the Emergency Action Committee ("EAC") to review the Embassy's security posture following the Eid al-Adha holiday. The meeting opened with a discussion of the local and regional security situations; the EAC continued to characterize the former as stable. RMAS did, however, raise uncorroborated threat reporting alleging that, as of late December 2004, a group of extremists, traveling in groups of pilgrims, were ordered by Usama bin Ladin to travel to Oman and Dubai, U.A.E., to carry out terrorist attacks against Westerners (NFI) (reftels A and B). RMAS noted that the information, of undetermined veracity, and originating from a source of unknown reliability, was referred to their Omani security service contacts for investigation. Members of the EAC noted no additional threat reporting specific to Oman. 3. (SBU) RSO also described a situation that occurred on January 20, in which an Embassy employee reported his cellular telephone apparently stolen from his residence by a group of uncharacteristically rambunctious Omani youths who were walking door-to-door asking for gifts in conjunction with Eid al-Adha, which is customary on that holiday. RSO is in the process of reporting details of the incident to the Royal Oman Police. Members of the EAC cited no other security incidents among their staffs or family members over the weekend, and CONS confirmed that there were no security incidents or security-related queries from the private American citizen community. -------------------------- Continued 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, including the need to maintain a low profile and to remain unpredictable. RSO further re-emphasized the importance of immediately reporting all suspicious activity or security-related incidents, especially those involving suspected surveillance, to Post One. -------------------------- EAC Conclusion -------------------------- 5. (S/NF) The EAC concluded that there have been no substantive changes in previously reported assessments of the local security environment since the last meeting held on January 18 (reftel C), and that the Embassy's FPCON and already heightened security posture remain appropriate. Nonetheless, the EAC 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, RSO, RMAS, P/E, PAO, CONS, MGT, DAO, MSG, OMC (USDR), and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting, which was followed by a meeting of the Visas Viper Committee. BALTIMORE |