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