EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 10/22/2005

S E C R E T MUSCAT 001580 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPT FOR D, P, M, DS, S/CT, CA, INR, NEA/ARPI, NEA/EX DEPT ALSO FOR DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/CC E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1 TAGS: AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER CASC KHLS MU EAC SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 10/22/2005 REF: A. SECSTATE 194464 ¶B. MUSCAT 1578 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission William R. Stewart. Reason: 1.4(c)(d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on October 22 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 October 22, the Ambassador chaired a meeting of the full EAC to review the Embassy's security posture following the local weekend. The EAC noted no/no new threat reporting specific to Oman, and continued to characterize the local security situation as stable. 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. -------------- Response to Press Allegations -------------- ¶3. (C) Pursuant to reftel A, members did, however, discuss what impact the alleged abuse of human remains by U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan may have on the local security environment. Referring to relatively slim press coverage thus far, members agreed that the reported allegations are not expected to resonate significantly with the Omani population. As a result, the issuance of a specific warden message was not recommended. -------------- Sustained Vigilance -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Prior to concluding the meeting, RSO reiterated that members of the EAC must continue reinforcing to both their staffs and family members the need for vigilance regarding all aspects of personal security. RSO further re-emphasized the importance of immediately reporting all suspicious activity or security-related incidents to Post One. -------------- 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 October 19 (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, P/E, A/MGT, RSO, ARSO (Duty Officer),SIMO, PAO, CONS, MSG, DAO, OMC (USDR),and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting. BALTIMORE