EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 06/08/2005

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000922

SIPDIS

NOFORN

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1
TAGS: AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER CASC KHLS MU EAC
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 06/08/2005

REF: A. TD-314/33790-05

B. MUSCAT 0898

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

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


1. (SBU) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the Emergency
Action Committee (EAC) on June 8 to 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.

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


2. (SBU) On June 8, the Ambassador 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 the EAC continued to
characterize as stable. Likewise, the EAC noted no/no new
threat reporting specific to Oman.


3. (S/NF) RMAS did, however, address a recent report (ref
A) indicating that, as of July 2004, al-Qa'ida was planning
three attacks against U.S. diplomatic missions in the Persian
Gulf region (NFI). Citing a tenuous reporting chain, coupled
with the fact that there is no information to suggest that
the purported plots currently remain active, RMAS commented
that additional details would have to be developed prior to
any further assessment of the report's veracity.

--------------
Sustained Vigilance
--------------


4. (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.

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


5. (S/NF) The EAC concluded that there have been no
substantive changes in the local security environment since
the last meeting held on June 4 (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. ABM, A/DCM, P/E, MGT, RSO, RMAS, PAO, DAO, OMC
(USDR),and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting.
BALTIMORE