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).

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Summary
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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.

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Local Security Environment
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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.

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Response to Press Allegations
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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.

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Sustained Vigilance
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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.

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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 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