EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 06/11/2005

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000937 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, NEA/ARPI, NEA/EX 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 - 06/11/2005 REF: A. MUSCAT 0922 ¶B. STATE 106100 ¶C. MUSCAT 0886 ¶D. MUSCAT 0858 Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Michael G. Snowden. Reason: 1.4(c)(g). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on June 11 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. -------------- Security Environment -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On June 11, 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. -------------- Perimeter Security -------------- ¶3. (C) RSO also raised reftel B, regarding perimeter security issues. RSO reiterated that the use of the Embassy's Imminent Danger Notification System is routinely reviewed with local guard force, surveillance detection, and Marine Security Guard personnel, most recently during the May 29 unannounced Embassy-wide "Duck and Cover" drill - initiated by a local guard (reftels C and D). RSO also reviewed vehicle access and screening procedures, and confirmed that the entire guard force -- to include personnel assigned to the Chancery's vehicle gates -- is operating at the requisite degree of vigilance. -------------- Personal Security -------------- ¶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 previously reported assessments of the local security environment since the last meeting held on June 8 (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. AMB, A/DCM, MGT, RSO, ARSO, RMAS, P/E, PAO, CONS, MSG, DAO, OMC (USDR), and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting. BALTIMORE