EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 04/16/2005

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000631

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 - 04/16/2005

REF: MUSCAT 0620

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 16 to review the Embassy's security
posture following 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 16, the CDA chaired a meeting of the EAC
to review the Embassy's security posture following the local
weekend. The meeting opened with a discussion of the local
security situation, which the EAC continued to characterize
as stable. Members noted no/no new threat reporting specific
to Oman. Likewise, the EAC cited no security incidents among
their staffs or family members over the weekend, with no
reported security incidents or security-related queries from
the private American citizen community.

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Warden Meeting
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3. (SBU) CDA briefed the EAC on the highlights of the April
11 warden meeting hosted by the Embassy's Consular section.
CDA, CONS, and RSO staff attended the meeting which addressed
the current security environment, Warden Messages, Public
Announcements and Travel Warnings, and internet-based
registration system for American citizens.

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Upcoming Events
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4. (SBU) The EAC reviewed upcoming events, to include joint
visits by the USS Firebolt and USS Typhoon to Port Sultan
Qaboos, from April 18-20. Security for the ship visits is
being coordinated with the Royal Oman Police Coast Guard.

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Sustained Vigilance
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5. (SBU) Prior to concluding the meeting, RSO reiterated
that, despite the relative calm, members of the EAC must
continue reinforcing to both their staffs and family members
the need for vigilance regarding all aspects of personal
security - to include maintaining a low profile and remaining
unpredictable. RSO further re-emphasized the importance of
immediately reporting all suspicious activity or
security-related incidents to Post One.

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Conclusion
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6. (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 13 (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, MGT,
P/E, PAO, RSO, ARSO, CONS, RMAS, OMC (USDR),DAO, and ECA
(USCENTAF) participated in the meeting.
STEWART