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). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶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. -------------- Security Environment -------------- ¶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. -------------- Upcoming Events -------------- ¶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. -------------- Overseas Schools -------------- ¶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. -------------- Sustained Vigilance -------------- ¶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. -------------- 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 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