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). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶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. -------------- Security Environment -------------- ¶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. -------------- EAC Conclusion -------------- ¶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