EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 06/04/2005

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000898

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 - 06/04/2005

REF: MUSCAT 0886

Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Michael G. Snowden.
Reason: 1.4(c)(g).

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Summary
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1. (SBU) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the Emergency
Action Committee (EAC) on June 4 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 Situation
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2. (SBU) On June 4, 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, including Duty
Officer, cited no security incidents among their staffs or
family members over the weekend, while CONS confirmed that
there were no reported security incidents or security-related
queries from the private American citizen community.


3. (C) The EAC used the opportunity to discuss
Accountability Review Board (ARB) findings and
recommendations related to the December 2004 terrorist attack
on Consulate General Jeddah. RSO highlighted applicable ARB
recommendations, noting areas that had been addressed, e.g.,
establishment of an external "safe area," following the
incident's initial lessons learned.

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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 June 1 (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. AMB, A/DCM, MGT, RSO, RMAS, PAO, CONS, MSG, DAO, OMC
(USDR),and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting.
BALTIMORE