Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MUSCAT492
2005-03-23 13:38:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 03/22/2005

Tags:  AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER CASC KHLS MU EAC 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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
-------

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