EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 05/25/2005

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000850 SIPDIS DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, NEA/ARPI, NEA/EX DEPT ALSO FOR DS/DSS/CC, DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/SPP/EP, CA/OCS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2015 TAGS: AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER CASC KHLS MU EAC SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 05/25/2005 REF: A. MUSCAT 0834 ¶B. SECSTATE 080885 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. William R. Stewart. Reason: 1.4(g). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The CDA chaired a meeting of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on May 25 to review the Embassy's security posture prior to the local holiday 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. -------------- Security Environment -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On May 25, the CDA chaired a meeting of the core EAC to review the Embassy's security posture prior to the local holiday 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. -------------- Change and Emergency Planning -------------- ¶3. (C) In conjunction with the EAC's ongoing dialogue on avenues to reduce complacency and sustain the Embassy's heightened security posture, RSO readdressed the potential value of change, as it relates to both physical and procedural security. Specifically, the EAC concurred with an RSO proposal to vary vehicle search procedures as often as practical. It was noted that such change serves to create added variables likely to complicate attack planning, should undetected surveillance exist. RSO also used the opportunity to discuss the EAC's progress on the updating of the Embassy's Emergency Action Plan, due on June 30 (reftel B). -------------- Sustained Vigilance -------------- ¶4. (SBU) CDA and 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. -------------- EAC Conclusion -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The EAC concluded that there have been no substantive changes in the local security environment since the last meeting, held on May 21 (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. CDA, A/DCM, MGT, RSO, PAO, CONS, DAO, OMC (USDR),and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting. SNOWDEN