EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 04/13/2005

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000620

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 - 04/13/2005

REF: MUSCAT 0584

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. William R. Stewart.
Reason: 1.4(c).

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Summary
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1. (SBU) The CDA chaired a meeting of the Emergency Action
Committee (EAC) April 13 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.

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Security Situation
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2. (SBU) On April 13, the CDA chaired a meeting of the full
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. Members of the EAC noted no/no new
threat reporting specific to Oman.

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Sustained Vigilance
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3. (SBU) Referring to recent FBIS reporting, which
describes a hypothetical scenario for attempting to
assassinate an official working at U.S. Embassy Manama, RSO
stated 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 - specifically
varying routes and times. RSO advised that he will
re-disseminate the DS Personal Security Self-Assessment
Checklist to all Embassy Personnel and their Eligible Family
Members as a reminder. RSO further emphasized to the
committee the importance of immediately reporting all
suspicious activity or security-related incidents to Post One.

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EAC Conclusion
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4. (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
April 9 (reftel). 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. CDA, RSO,
ARSO, RMAS, MGT, PAO, P/E, CONS, MSG, DAO, OMC (USDR),and
ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting.
STEWART