EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 01/07/2006

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000039 SIPDIS NOFORN DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, NEA/ARPI, NEA/EX DEPT ALSO FOR DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/DSS/CC, CA/OCS E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1 TAGS: AEMR ASEC AMGT PTER CASC KSAC KHLS MU EAC SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 01/07/2006 REF: A. MUSCAT 0023 ¶B. MUSCAT 0005 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. William R. Stewart. Reason: 1.4(c). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Charge chaired a meeting of the full Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on January 7 to review the Embassy's security posture both following the local weekend and prior to a January 9-14 holiday closure (reftel B). Members noted no substantive changes in the local security environment since the last meeting (reftel A),and agreed that the Embassy's already heightened security posture and force protection condition (FPCON) remain appropriate. End Summary. -------------- Local Security Environment -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On January 7, the Charge chaired a meeting of the full EAC to review the Embassy's security posture both following the local weekend and prior to a January 9-14 holiday closure (reftel B). 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. -------------- Avoiding Complacency -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Prior to concluding the meeting, and referencing a recent incident involving an opportunity-driven theft from an Emboff's vehicle, Charge and RSO reiterated that members of the EAC must continue reinforcing to both their staffs and family members the need to avoid complacency. To this effect, both highlighted the criticality of vigilance regarding all aspects of personal and residential security. NOTE: The Facilities Manager also presented gas safety tips for the EAC to brief to their staffs and family members. END NOTE. -------------- EAC Conclusion -------------- ¶4. (S/NF) The EAC concluded that there have been no substantive changes in the local security environment since the last meeting held on January 4 (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. CDA, P/E (Duty Officer),MGT, RSO, SIMO, PAO, FM, MSG, OMC (USDR),and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting. STEWART