EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 04/24/2005

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000683

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/CC, CA/OCS, NEA/EX,
NEA/ARPI
DEPT ALSO FOR DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/ICI/CI, DS/OPO/FPD, DS/ICI/PII

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1
TAGS: AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER CASC KHLS MU EAC
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 04/24/2005

REF: A. MUSCAT 0662


B. MUSCAT 0648

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission William R. Stewart.
Reason: 1.4(c).

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Summary
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1. (SBU) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the Emergency
Action Committee (EAC) April 24 to review the Embassy's
security posture following the local holiday 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 24, the Ambassador chaired a meeting of
the full EAC to review the Embassy's security posture
following the local holiday weekend. The meeting opened with
a discussion of the local security situation, which the EAC
continued to characterize as stable. Likewise, the EAC noted
no/no new threat reporting specific to Oman. Members cited
no security incidents among their staffs or family members
over the weekend, while CONS confirmed that there were no
reported security incidents or security-related queries from
the private American citizen community.

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TAISM Surveillance Incident
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3. (SBU) The EAC also reviewed the status of the Royal Oman
Police's (ROP) investigation into the April 18 surveillance
incident which occurred at The American International School
of Muscat (reftels A and B). RSO noted that he will meet
with the ROP's Director General of Operations on April 25 to
discuss progress on the case. On a related note, RSO
confirmed that his office will discuss local security
concerns, e.g., the need to recognize and report suspected
surveillance, with the six non-Department sponsored schools
attended by American citizen students. RSO staff will be
visiting the six schools in conjunction with Phase III of the
Overseas Schools Security Program. (CT13-0405-328-0782)

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Sustained Vigilance
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4. (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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EAC Conclusion
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5. (S/NF) The EAC concluded that there have been no
substantive changes in the local security environment since
the last meeting held on March 20 (reftel A). 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. ABM, DCM, MGT, RSO, ARSO, RMAS, PAO, CONS, MSG, DAO,
OMC (USDR),and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting.
BALTIMORE