Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MUSCAT406
2005-03-08 06:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:
WMD AWARENESS COURSE FEEDBACK
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS MUSCAT 000406
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI (TROBERTS),EB (KCROUCH, AGALER)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KSTC ETTC PARM PREL MU
SUBJECT: WMD AWARENESS COURSE FEEDBACK
REF: STATE 24914
-------
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS MUSCAT 000406
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI (TROBERTS),EB (KCROUCH, AGALER)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KSTC ETTC PARM PREL MU
SUBJECT: WMD AWARENESS COURSE FEEDBACK
REF: STATE 24914
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. The Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS)
program sponsored a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
Awareness workshop held in Muscat from February 26 to March
1. Over 33 participants from Coast Guard to Commerce
attended and provided feedback that included requests for
more training, equipment, emergency planning, and threat
assessments. Embassy Muscat suggests a follow-up activity in
conjunction with the Office of Military Cooperation and the
Defense Attach Office to meet the workshop participants'
more practical requirements. End summary.
--------------
WMD COURSE DRAWS BIG INTEREST
--------------
2. On February 26, Los Alamos Technical Associates launched
a 4-day Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Awareness course
that was sponsored by the Department of State's Export
Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program.
Approximately 33 government officials attended (raised from
25 by strong Omani demand) representing Royal Oman Police
Customs, Coast Guard, and Operations, as well as the
Ministries of National Economy, Transport, Foreign Affairs,
Commerce, Defense and Royal Office Affairs. The Environment
Ministry unfortunately did not send representatives, who
could have benefited from several portions of the program.
3. Overall, the course received very positive responses from
the participants. Comments ranged from, "extremely important
and necessary for the control of borders" to "very useful but
we need more equipment and practical applications."
Moreover, while there was keen interest from participants and
detailed question and answer periods, most participants saw a
strong need courses involving more practical application as
well as opportunities to build on information learned (Note:
Ministries often send different participants to similar
courses. End note.)
--------------
SUGGESTIONS AND FEEDBACK
--------------
4. Following the workshop, we distributed a survey to gauge
participants' satisfaction with the material as well as to
elicit suggestions on what they believe would enhance their
individual skills and border security in Oman. The following
topics were identified for inclusion in WMD Awareness
training as well as for developing future EXBS programs:
-- Detailed follow-up course to WMD Awareness
-- Posters/lists of prohibited and dangerous materials
-- Inclusion of more cases of nuclear, biological and
chemical use as well as best practices
-- Emergency Planning and Crisis Management (including First
Response)
-- Threat assessment (including how to monitor companies)
-- Train-the-Trainer workshops and opportunities for
advanced degrees in security (in the United States)
-- Equipment (from surveillance to detection and
decontamination; equipment was one of the most talked-about
and well-received modules)
-- Practical application in managing hazardous chemical or
radioactive substances, and responding to accidents
-- Methods used in smuggling and how to detect weapons
-- Tours and visits highlighting how prohibited materials
might enter the country.
5. Based upon the feedback above and discussions with the
Defense Attach Office and the Office of Military
Cooperation, the Embassy suggests a follow-up to the WMD
Awareness Course with a hands-on practicum at Port Sultan
Qaboos (Muscat) or Port Salalah. This multi-agency activity,
perhaps in conjunction with Cooperation Defense Initiative,
would cover detection, decontamination, equipment
familiarization, container search, and smuggling. With the
anticipated expansion of Port Salalah and the development of
the Salalah Free Trade Zone, Port Salalah is poised to
become one of the busiest ports in the world, making
practical training in WMD essential. The Sohar Industrial
Port is likewise poised to become a major regional port and
petro-chemical complex, further elevating the need for
specialized training throughout Oman.
BALTIMORE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI (TROBERTS),EB (KCROUCH, AGALER)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KSTC ETTC PARM PREL MU
SUBJECT: WMD AWARENESS COURSE FEEDBACK
REF: STATE 24914
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. The Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS)
program sponsored a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
Awareness workshop held in Muscat from February 26 to March
1. Over 33 participants from Coast Guard to Commerce
attended and provided feedback that included requests for
more training, equipment, emergency planning, and threat
assessments. Embassy Muscat suggests a follow-up activity in
conjunction with the Office of Military Cooperation and the
Defense Attach Office to meet the workshop participants'
more practical requirements. End summary.
--------------
WMD COURSE DRAWS BIG INTEREST
--------------
2. On February 26, Los Alamos Technical Associates launched
a 4-day Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Awareness course
that was sponsored by the Department of State's Export
Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program.
Approximately 33 government officials attended (raised from
25 by strong Omani demand) representing Royal Oman Police
Customs, Coast Guard, and Operations, as well as the
Ministries of National Economy, Transport, Foreign Affairs,
Commerce, Defense and Royal Office Affairs. The Environment
Ministry unfortunately did not send representatives, who
could have benefited from several portions of the program.
3. Overall, the course received very positive responses from
the participants. Comments ranged from, "extremely important
and necessary for the control of borders" to "very useful but
we need more equipment and practical applications."
Moreover, while there was keen interest from participants and
detailed question and answer periods, most participants saw a
strong need courses involving more practical application as
well as opportunities to build on information learned (Note:
Ministries often send different participants to similar
courses. End note.)
--------------
SUGGESTIONS AND FEEDBACK
--------------
4. Following the workshop, we distributed a survey to gauge
participants' satisfaction with the material as well as to
elicit suggestions on what they believe would enhance their
individual skills and border security in Oman. The following
topics were identified for inclusion in WMD Awareness
training as well as for developing future EXBS programs:
-- Detailed follow-up course to WMD Awareness
-- Posters/lists of prohibited and dangerous materials
-- Inclusion of more cases of nuclear, biological and
chemical use as well as best practices
-- Emergency Planning and Crisis Management (including First
Response)
-- Threat assessment (including how to monitor companies)
-- Train-the-Trainer workshops and opportunities for
advanced degrees in security (in the United States)
-- Equipment (from surveillance to detection and
decontamination; equipment was one of the most talked-about
and well-received modules)
-- Practical application in managing hazardous chemical or
radioactive substances, and responding to accidents
-- Methods used in smuggling and how to detect weapons
-- Tours and visits highlighting how prohibited materials
might enter the country.
5. Based upon the feedback above and discussions with the
Defense Attach Office and the Office of Military
Cooperation, the Embassy suggests a follow-up to the WMD
Awareness Course with a hands-on practicum at Port Sultan
Qaboos (Muscat) or Port Salalah. This multi-agency activity,
perhaps in conjunction with Cooperation Defense Initiative,
would cover detection, decontamination, equipment
familiarization, container search, and smuggling. With the
anticipated expansion of Port Salalah and the development of
the Salalah Free Trade Zone, Port Salalah is poised to
become one of the busiest ports in the world, making
practical training in WMD essential. The Sohar Industrial
Port is likewise poised to become a major regional port and
petro-chemical complex, further elevating the need for
specialized training throughout Oman.
BALTIMORE