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