EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 02/08/2006

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000176

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, NEA/ARPI, AND NEA/EX
DEPTARTMENT ALSO FOR DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/DSS/CC, AND CA/OCS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1
TAGS: AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER CASC KSAC KHLS MU EAC
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 02/08/2006

REF: MUSCAT 0146

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission William R. Stewart.
Reason: 1.4(c)(d).

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Summary
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1. (SBU) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the core
Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on February 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, and agreed that the
Embassy's already heightened security posture and force
protection condition (FPCON) remain appropriate. End Summary.

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Local Security Environment
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2. (SBU) On February 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.

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Reaction to Danish Publication: Follow-Up
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3. (C) The EAC did, however, follow-up on the anti-European
incidents occurring worldwide related to the Danish
publication, and recent European republications, of a
caricature of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed. EAC Members noted
that while the boycott of Danish products by Omani consumers
continues, isolated talk of demonstrations has not
materialized beyond a second small, peaceful, carefully
supervised gathering, this time of female students, on the
campus of Sultan Qaboos University - located some thirty
kilometers outside Muscat (reftel). NOTE: Denmark has no
diplomatic presence in Oman. END NOTE.

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Avian Influenza
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4. (SBU) The EAC also discussed a recent Embassy-wide Avian
Influenza (AI) briefing, led by the Regional Medical Manager
and Regional Medical Officer in conjunction with their joint
visit to Muscat. Very well attended, the February 5 briefing
provided on overview of AI, to include a review of recent
outbreaks, as well as the Department's plans and efforts to
address the virus. During the course of the briefing, the
Embassy's Economic/Commercial Officer also provided an update
on the status of the Omani government's contingency planning
efforts. Members of the EAC went on to discuss recent
worldwide cases, notably infected falcons reported in
neighboring Saudi Arabia, but agreed that the isolated, non
animal-to-human case had not crossed established tripwires.

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Upcoming Events and Continued Vigilance
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5. (SBU) Prior to concluding the meeting, RSO noted that
the security office continues coordinating Royal Oman Police
coverage for numerous upcoming community events, namely a
series of Bluegrass music concerts scheduled for February
12-13. RSO also took the opportunity to reiterate to members
of the EAC that they 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 and situationally
aware. RSO further re-emphasized the importance of
immediately reporting all/all suspicious activity or
security-related incidents to Post One.

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EAC Conclusion
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6. (S/NF) The EAC concluded that there have been no
substantive changes in the local security environment since
the last meeting held on February 4 (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, DCM, P/E, MGT, RSO, ARSO, SIMO, CONS, DAO, OMC
(USDR),ECA (USCENTAF),and Duty Officer participated in the
meeting.
BALTIMORE