EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 04/27/2005

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000699

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/CC, CA/OCS, NEA/EX,
AND 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 - 04/27/2005

REF: A. MUSCAT 0683


B. MUSCAT 0662

C. 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 core
Emergency Action Committee (EAC) April 27 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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Local Security Situation
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2. (SBU) On April 27, the Ambassador chaired a meeting of
the core 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. Likewise, the EAC noted
no/no new threat reporting specific to Oman.

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TAISM Surveillance Incident
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3. (SBU) The RSO briefed the EAC on his most recent meeting
with the Royal Oman Police (ROP) to discuss the April 18
surveillance incident which occurred at The American
International School of Muscat (TAISM) (reftels A-C). During
the April 27 meeting, the ROP's Director General (DG) of
Operations advised RSO that the suspected surveillant was
identified as the grandfather of an Omani national student of
TAISM (school officials confirmed the student's current
enrollment). Sharing contents of the case file with RSO, the
DG also confirmed that the individual's actions were not/not
surveillance-related. Based on the ROP's findings, and
evidence presented, the EAC considers the issue resolved.
Case closure will be sent via septel. (CT13-0405-328-0782)

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Continued 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. 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 April 24 (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, P/E, MGT, RSO, ARSO, RMAS, CONS, DAO, OMC
(USDR),and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting.
BALTIMORE