EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 01/05/2005

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000026 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPT. FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/DSS/CC, DS/OSAC, DS/OPO/FPD, DS/SPP/EP, DS/PSD/PCB, CA/OCS, NEA/EX, NEA/ARPI E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1 TAGS: AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER CASC KHLS MU EAC SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 01/05/2005 REF: MUSCAT 0008 Classified By: Ambassador Richard L. Baltimore III. Reason: 1.4(c). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the core Emergency Action Committee January 5 to review the Embassy's security posture prior to the local weekend. 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 Environment and Sustained Vigilance -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On January 5, the Ambassador chaired a meeting of the core Emergency Action Committee ("EAC") to review the Embassy's security posture prior to the local weekend. The meeting opened with a discussion of the local and regional security situations; the EAC continued to characterize the former as stable. Likewise, the EAC noted no new threat reporting specific to Oman. RSO reiterated, however, 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, including the need to maintain a low profile and to remain unpredictable. RSO further re-emphasized the importance of immediately reporting suspicious activity or security-related incidents, especially those involving suspected surveillance, to Post One. -------------- Residential Security -------------- ¶3. (SBU) RSO briefed the EAC on property thefts that occurred from the yards of two Embassy-leased residences the evening of January 4. In a scenario not typical for Embassy neighborhoods, a total of five bicycles were stolen from the yards of the adjacent residences. While the residences do meet current security standards, RSO confirmed that he will re-survey both in an attempt to identify areas that may have aided the perpetrator(s). RSO is also in the process of filing reports with the Royal Oman Police and publishing an Embassy-wide notice urging employees to secure personal property at their residences. The roving patrol was notified and responded immediately upon initial report of the incidents to Post One. -------------- Emergency Communications -------------- ¶4. (SBU) A/MGT (IMO) raised the inter-agency meeting held yesterday to discuss both emergency communications and COMSEC destruction. The meeting, which focused on ways to best position each agency's equipment, was in furtherance of the EAC's previous discussions on lessons learned from the December 6 terrorist attack on U.S. Consulate General Jeddah, and in conjunction with the Embassy's annual update to its Emergency Action Plan. -------------- Mail Handling and Soft Target Updates -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Prior to concluding the meeting, RSO reminded EAC members to ensure that their sections are thoroughly familiar with the Embassy's updated mail handling policy, which took effect January 5, following the previous day's opening of a new external mail screening facility. The updated policy prohibits personnel from introducing into the Chancery building any unopened mail now distributed at the new screening facility. ¶6. (SBU) RSO also provided an update on Soft Target Working Group-funded upgrades to the Muscat Employee Association's recreational facility. Specifically, RSO advised that Engineering Services Office staff began installation earlier in the week of a SelecTone emergency notification system. -------------- EAC Conclusion -------------- ¶7. (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 2 (reftel),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, A/DCM, RSO, RMAS, P/E, CONS, A/MGT, S/GSO (Duty Officer),DAO, OMC (USDR),and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting. BALTIMORE