EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 05/14/2005

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000778

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, NEA/EX, NEA/ARPI
DEPT ALSO FOR DS/DSS/CC, DS/DSS/OSAC, CA/OCS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1
TAGS: AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER CASC KHLS MU EAC
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 05/14/2005

REF: A. STATE 88240


B. MUSCAT 0768

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 full
Emergency Action Committee (EAC) May 14 to review the
Embassy's security posture following 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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Security Environment
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2. (SBU) On May 14, the Ambassador chaired a meeting of the
full EAC to review the Embassy's security posture following
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. Members cited a quiet
weekend with no security incidents, while CONS confirmed that
there were no reported security incidents or security-related
queries from the private American citizen community. The EAC
briefly discussed ref A and concluded that the story of
alleged desecration of the Quran at Guantanamo Bay did not
have any traction in Oman. All members, however, agreed to
remain watchful and immediately to report any change in the
situation.

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Sustained Vigilance
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3. (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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4. (S/NF) The EAC concluded that there have been no
substantive changes in the local security environment since
the last meeting held on May 11 (reftel). 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, A/RSO, RMAS, CONS, PAO, MSG, DAO,
OMC (USDR),and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting.
BALTIMORE