EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 03/22/2005

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000492 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 - 03/22/2005 REF: MUSCAT 0476 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 March 22 to review the Embassy's security posture following the terrorist bombing in Qatar. Members noted no significant 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. -------------- Response to the Qatar Attack -------------- ¶2. (S/NF) On March 22, the Ambassador chaired a meeting of the core Emergency Action Committee ("EAC") to review the Embassy's security posture following the March 19 terrorist bombing in Qatar. The meeting opened with a review of the known facts regarding the VBIED attack and the current status of the investigation. The EAC noted the timing of the incident; just days after the release of a string of internet messages by Saudi national Saleh al-Oufi calling for sleeper cells to attack Western targets in several of the GCC states, including Qatar and Oman specifically, and on the second anniversary marking the start of OIF. The Ambassador indicated that an Embassy-related Public Affairs event scheduled for March 19th, was in fact postponed by its Omani organizers in light of this anniversary. CONS remarked that the private American citizen response to the bombing has been rather muted, having received no security-related queries. A/RSO and RMAS affirmed that their Omani government counterparts continue to emphasize that they have control of the local security situation and are poised to respond to any imminent threat to American personnel or interests in Oman. The A/RSO will confirm with ROP contacts the need for increased police presence at local churches for next week's Easter services. -------------- Target Hardening -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The EAC acknowledged that as the U.S. "hardens" many of its facilities, terrorists are forced to seek out more vulnerable "soft targets." Relative to the location of the Qatari attack, EAC members discussed the recent award of Overseas School Security Phase III funding for select security upgrades for six non-Department sponsored schools. A/RSO explained to the committee that early next week, the Embassy Local Guards will provide training to newly-hired security guards from the Department-sponsored The American International School of Muscat (TAISM). This standard training, provided to all of TAISM's guards, will cover such skills as surveillance detection, attack recognition, vehicle search techniques, and personnel screening. -------------- Reinforcing Personal Vigilance -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The EAC agreed that this recent attack in Qatar underscores the fact that Embassy personnel must continue reinforcing to both their staffs and family members the need for vigilance regarding all aspects of personal security. A/RSO further re-emphasized the importance of immediately reporting all suspicious activity or security-related incidents, especially any possible surveillance, to Post One. -------------- EAC Conclusion -------------- ¶5. (S/NF) Despite recent events, the EAC concluded that there have been no significant changes to the local security environment since the last meeting held on March 19 (reftel). The EAC continued to characterize the local security situation as stable. Accordingly, members agreed that the Embassy's already heightened security posture and FPCON (Bravo) 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. ABM, DCM, P/E, CONS, A/MGT, A/RSO, RMAS, DAO, OMC (USDR),and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting. BALTIMORE