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).

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Summary
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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.

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Local Security Environment
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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.

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Personal Security
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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.

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EAC Conclusion
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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