US embassy cable - 04MUSCAT2009

S E C R E T MUSCAT 002009 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
DEPT. FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/DSS/CC, DS/OSAC, 
CA/OCS, NEA/EX, NEA/ARPI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1 
TAGS: AEMR, ASEC, AMGT, PTER, CASC, KHLS, MU, EAC 
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 11/17/2004 
 
REF: A. MUSCAT 1995 
 
     B. MUSCAT 1978 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard L. Baltimore III. 
Reason: 1.4(c). 
 
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Summary 
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1. (U) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the core Emergency 
Action Committee ("EAC") on November 17 to reassess the 
Embassy's security posture prior to the local holiday weekend 
and to discuss any security implications of recent military 
events in Fallujah, Iraq. 
 
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Local Response to Events in Fallujah 
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2. (S/NF) The EAC reviewed the known facts regarding the 
ongoing military operations in Fallujah, Iraq.  The EAC 
determined that, at present, such operations have posed 
little to no/no security implications for the Embassy. 
However, as discussed in reftel B, Omani public opinion is 
shaped in large part on how these military events are 
portrayed in the regional and local media.  The Committee 
noted that the  controversial video footage of a U.S. Marine 
shooting an allegedly unarmed insurgent in a Fallujah mosque 
is receiving extensively critical coverage in the local 
newspapers.  The EAC concluded that there has been no change 
in the local security environment since its last meeting held 
on November 13 (reftel A) and that the Embassy's FPCON 
(Bravo) and already heightened security posture remain 
appropriate.  RSO and RMAS affirmed that their Omani 
government counterparts continue to emphasize that they have 
control of the local security situation and are poised to 
respond to any imminent threat to American personnel or 
interests in Oman. 
 
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Continued Vigilance 
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3. (S/NF) Prior to concluding the meeting, A/RSO reiterated 
that members of the EAC should continue reinforcing to both 
their staffs and family members the need to maintain a low 
profile and to remain unpredictable.  A/RSO also 
re-emphasized the importance of immediately reporting 
suspicious activity or security-related incidents, especially 
those involving suspected surveillance, to Post One.  The EAC 
remains acutely aware of the need to monitor both the 
regional and local security environments, and is prepared to 
take the necessary countermeasures should changes to either 
occur.  AMB, P/E, A/RSO, RMAS, OMC (USDR), DAO, MGT, and ECA 
(USCENTAF) participated in the meeting. 
BALTIMORE