EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 05/04/2005

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000744 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, NEA/EX, AND NEA/ARPI DEPT ALSO FOR DS/DSS/CC, DS/DSS/OSAC, AND CA/OCS E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1 TAGS: AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER CASC KHLS MU EAC SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 05/04/2005 REF: A. MUSCAT 0741 ¶B. MUSCAT 0711 Classified By: Ambassador Richard L. Baltimore III. Reason: 1.4(c). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Deputy Chief of Mission chaired a meeting of the core Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on May 4 to discuss the local security situation and 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 Environment -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On May 4, the Deputy Chief of Mission 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, noting no new threat reporting specific to Oman, the EAC continued to characterize as stable. The EAC did, however, discuss the recent protest marches calling for a pardon for the 31 Ibadhi defendants sentenced to jail terms on May 2 by the State Security Court on charges of seeking to overthrow the government (reftel A). Members commented that the May 1 and 3 marches, although peaceful in nature, both invoked a swift and formidable police response. While it is unclear whether addition demonstrations in support of the jailed Ibadhi activists will materialize, the EAC will continue to closely monitor the situation. -------------- Personal Security -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Prior to concluding the meeting, RSO reiterated 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 - 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. -------------- EAC Conclusion -------------- ¶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 30 (reftel B). 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. DCM, P/E, MGT, RSO, ARSO, RMAS, CONS, DAO, OMC (USDR),and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting. BALTIMORE