Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MUSCAT8
2005-01-02 13:31:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 01/02/2005

Tags:  AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER CASC KHLS KVPR MU EAC 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000008 

SIPDIS

NOFORN

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1
TAGS: AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER CASC KHLS KVPR MU EAC
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 01/02/2005

REF: A. 04 MUSCAT 2291


B. 04 RIYADH 6557

C. 04 MUSCAT 2246

Classified By: Ambassador Richard L. Baltimore III.
Reason: 1.4(c)(g).

-------
Summary
-------

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000008

SIPDIS

NOFORN

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1
TAGS: AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER CASC KHLS KVPR MU EAC
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 01/02/2005

REF: A. 04 MUSCAT 2291


B. 04 RIYADH 6557

C. 04 MUSCAT 2246

Classified By: Ambassador Richard L. Baltimore III.
Reason: 1.4(c)(g).

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (SBU) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the core
Emergency Action Committee January 2 to review the Embassy's
security posture following to the local holiday weekend.
Members of the EAC 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.

--------------
Security Environment
--------------


2. (SBU) On January 2, the Ambassador chaired a meeting of
the core Emergency Action Committee ("EAC") to review the
Embassy's security posture following the local holiday
weekend. The meeting opened with a discussion of the local
and regional security situations; the EAC continued to
characterize the former as stable. Likewise, the EAC noted
no new threat reporting specific to Oman. Members cited no
security incidents among their staffs or family members over
the weekend, and CONS confirmed that there were no security
incidents or security-related queries from the private
American citizen community.

--------------
Jeddah Lessons Learned
--------------


3. (SBU) In furtherance of the EAC's previous discussions
on lessons learned from the December 6 terrorist attack on
U.S. Consulate General Jeddah, RSO distributed copies of, and
led a detailed discussion on, reftel B. In addition to
actions already taken in response to previous reporting of
the attack (reftel C),the EAC will use Jeddah's lessons
learned as part of their ongoing review of avenues to enhance
and sustain the Embassy's security posture.

--------------
Continued Vigilance
--------------


4. (SBU) 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, including the need to maintain a low profile and to
remain unpredictable. Likewise, RSO re-emphasized the
importance of immediately reporting suspicious activity or
security-related incidents -- especially those involving
suspected surveillance -- to Post One.

--------------
Physical Security
--------------


5. (C) Prior to concluding the meeting, RSO advised that
the trench barrier systems which run along the sides of the
Chancery compound, where stand-off is reduced by vacant
diplomatic lots, were re-dug over the weekend. Jersey
barriers were also repositioned to limit unauthorized access
to the Chancery compound's employee parking lot and vehicle
entrance.

--------------
EAC Conclusion
--------------


6. (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
December 29 (reftel A),and that the Embassy's FPCON and
already heightened security posture remain appropriate.
Nonetheless, the EAC 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. AMB, A/DCM,
RSO, A/MGT, RMAS, P/E, CONS, MSG, DAO, OMC (USDR),and ECA
(USCENTAF) participated in the meeting, which was preceded by
a meeting of the Visas Viper Committee.
BALTIMORE