EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 03/09/2005

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000427

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/CC, DS/DSS/OSAC,
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 - 03/09/2005

REF: A. SECSTATE 40460

B. MUSCAT 0377

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission William R. Stewart.
Reason: 1.4(c).

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Summary
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1. (SBU) The Deputy Chief of Mission chaired a meeting of
the core Emergency Action Committee March 9 to review the
Embassy's security posture prior to 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 FPCON remain appropriate. End Summary.

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Security Environment
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2. (SBU) On March 9, the Deputy Chief of Mission 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
security situation, which the EAC continued to characterize
as stable. Likewise, the EAC noted no/no new threat
reporting specific to Oman.


3. (U) CONS briefed the EAC on the March 8 Worldwide
Caution Public Announcement (reftel A),updated as a reminder
of the continuing threat of terrorist actions and
anti-American violence against U.S. citizens and interests
overseas. CONS confirmed that the Public Announcement will
be distributed via Warden Message to both the official and
private American citizen communities.

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Upcoming Events
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4. (SBU) The EAC again reviewed upcoming events, including
Free Trade Agreement negotiations scheduled for March 11-15,
and a visit by the USS Thatch (FFG 43) to Port Sultan Qaboos
from March 10-13. Security for the events continues to be
coordinated with the Royal Oman Police (ROP) and ROP Coast
Guard, respectively. RSO also confirmed completion of
security arrangements for The American International School
of Muscat's March 10 "International Day," expected to host up
to 700 guests.

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Overseas Schools
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5. (SBU) Members also discussed recent soft-target security
upgrade grants received in conjunction with Phase III of the
Overseas Schools Security Program. RSO described the scope
of Phase III for the EAC, including specific security
upgrades to be performed at six schools attended by American
citizen students.

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Sustained Vigilance
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6. (SBU) Prior to concluding the meeting, and referencing
the aforementioned Worldwide Caution, 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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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
March 5 (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. DCM, P/E,
MGT, RSO, ARSO, RMAS, CONS, DAO, and OMC (USDR) participated
in the meeting.
BALTIMORE