EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 02/11/2006

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000191 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, NEA/ARPI, AND NEA/EX DEPARTMENT 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 - 02/11/2006 REF: MUSCAT 0176 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission William R. Stewart. Reason: 1.4(c). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the full Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on February 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, and agreed that the Embassy's already heightened security posture and force protection condition (FPCON) remain appropriate. End Summary. -------------- Local Security Situation -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On February 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 weekend demonstrations or 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. -------------- Emergency Preparedness -------------- ¶3. (SBU) In conjunction with the EAC's ongoing discussions on emergency preparedness, members agreed to an unannounced Embassy-wide "Duck and Cover" drill to be held during the week of February 19. RSO advised that a detailed Security Notice on the appropriate response to Imminent Danger Notification System activation will precede the drill, and encouraged all section heads to review the guidance with their entire staff. RSO added that a revised Office Warden list is in draft, also in Security Notice format, in preparation for an upcoming Embassy-wide Emergency Destruction/Internal Defense Drill. -------------- Sustained Vigilance -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Prior to concluding the meeting, RSO reiterated that 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 and situationally aware. 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 February 8 (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, SIMO, PAO, CONS, MSG, DAO, OMC (USDR),ECA (USCENTAF),and Duty Officer participated in the meeting. BALTIMORE