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). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶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. -------------- Local Security Situation -------------- ¶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. -------------- TAISM Surveillance Incident -------------- ¶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) -------------- Continued Vigilance -------------- ¶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. -------------- EAC Conclusion -------------- ¶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