EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 04/06/2005

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000576

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 - 04/06/2005

REF: A. TDX-315/20517-05


B. MUSCAT 0545

Classified By: Ambassador Richard L. Baltimore III.
Reason: 1.4(c).

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Summary
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1. (S/NF) The Deputy Chief of Mission chaired a meeting of
the core Emergency Action Committee (EAC) April 6 to discuss
recent intelligence reporting related to the May 2004 arrest
of al-Qaida-linked Omani nationals (ref A),as well as to
review the Embassy's security posture prior to the local
weekend. Although the new intelligence is noteworthy, EAC
members noted no new threat nor substantive changes in the
local security environment since the last meeting (ref B).
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. (S/NF) On April 6, the Deputy Chief of Mission chaired a
meeting of the core EAC to discuss recent intelligence
reporting related to the May 2004 arrest of al-Qaida-linked
Omani nationals (ref A),as well as 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.


3. (S/NF) RMAS briefed the EAC on recent credible
information apprising that the 12 Omani nationals who were
arrested in May 2004 for allegedly plotting to attack U.S.
interests in Oman (ref A),were pardoned and released from
custody in late 2004. It was noted that the releases may be
associated with Ramadan pardons made at that time (NFI).
RMAS also commented on the very sensitive nature of the
source of the information, as it refers to both the initial
arrests and this most recent development. The EAC agreed
that revealing what we know about either of the events to the
Omani security services would jeopardize sources and our
future access to critical information. The EAC concurred
that the releases, while important to note, do not constitute
a new threat. NOTE: Neither the aforementioned arrests nor
the subsequent releases were made public; both were processed
through secret legal proceedings. END NOTE.

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EAC Conclusion
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4. (S/NF) Taking note of the new information, the EAC
nonetheless decided that there is no new or specific threat;
therefore, the EAC unanimously concluded that there has been
no substantive change in the local security environment since
the last meeting that held on April 2 (ref B). Accordingly,
members agreed that the Embassy's already heightened security
posture and FPCON remain appropriate at this time. 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, MGT, RSO, ARSO, RMAS, DAO, OMC (USDR),
and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting.
BALTIMORE