PORT, BORDER SECURITY A TOP OMANI PRIORITY

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000905 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, ISN/ECC (K. CROUCH AND V. PSAROS) STATE ALSO FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, AND DS/DSS/OSAC DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FOR M. DEITER AMMAN FOR J. IRVINE ABU DHABI FOR ICE ATTACHE COGARD FOR M. BEE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KSTC ASEC PREL KHLS EWWT MU SUBJECT: PORT, BORDER SECURITY A TOP OMANI PRIORITY REF: SECSTATE 90052 ¶1. (SBU) In the wake of recent security incidents on ships that have visited the Port of Salalah, an Omani transportation official says there will soon be significant improvements in port and border security. Oman also continues to mull the creation of a new Homeland Security-type ministry. The official expressed strong interest in EXBS and related programming. End summary ¶2. (SBU) In a June 6 meeting, the Embassy's primary liaison for border security and programming at the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MoTC) assured PolOff that securing Oman's ports and land borders is a top priority for Sultan Qaboos. In addition to a current proposal to develop an independent Homeland Security-like ministry, MoTC officials are consulting with the Sultan's senior-ranking British military advisor, General A. Whitley, to discuss avenues to enhance port security; coordinate and oversee international security agreements, such as the Department of Homeland Security's Container Security Initiative and the Department of Energy's Megaports Initiative; as well as to strengthen the capacity of the Royal Oman Police Customs. ¶3. (SBU) Aware of intensified scrutiny on the Port of Salalah since the recent report of suspicious incidents on two commercial vessels (one a U.S. merchant ship, the other bound for a U.S. port) whose last port of call was the Port of Salalah, MoTC officials are in the process of conducting thorough security assessments of the port and land border crossings. The MoTC is also anxious to correct an apparent ongoing problem with ROP Custom's lack of training on VACIS scanning machines recently purchased from U.S. firm SAIC. (Note: SAIC officials are arriving in Muscat the week of June 12 to "resell" the Omanis on the VACIS equipment and discuss needed training and personnel issues for manning the machines. End Note.) According to an MoTC official, "big improvements" to security and screening procedures are expected within the month. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶4. (U) When discussing the upcoming visit of the State EXBS Programming Officer, the Ministry contact informed PolOff that the MoTC seeks increased training opportunities for ROP Customs officers and is interested in proposed border control patrol vehicles. With regards to planned FY 06 programming, the contact said that the Transshipment Conference in July (reftel) and the Seaport Interdiction Training will be well-received and attended. GRAPPO