US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT406

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000406 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI (TROBERTS), EB (KCROUCH, AGALER) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KSTC, ETTC, PARM, PREL, MU, Ports, Export Control and Border Security, Terrorism 
SUBJECT: WMD AWARENESS COURSE FEEDBACK 
 
REF: STATE 24914 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1.  The Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) 
program sponsored a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) 
Awareness workshop held in Muscat from February 26 to March 
1.  Over 33 participants from Coast Guard to Commerce 
attended and provided feedback that included requests for 
more training, equipment, emergency planning, and threat 
assessments.  Embassy Muscat suggests a follow-up activity in 
conjunction with the Office of Military Cooperation and the 
Defense Attach Office to meet the workshop participants' 
more practical requirements.  End summary. 
 
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WMD COURSE DRAWS BIG INTEREST 
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2.  On February 26, Los Alamos Technical Associates launched 
a 4-day Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Awareness course 
that was sponsored by the Department of State's Export 
Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program. 
Approximately 33 government officials attended (raised from 
25 by strong Omani demand) representing Royal Oman Police 
Customs, Coast Guard, and Operations, as well as the 
Ministries of National Economy, Transport, Foreign Affairs, 
Commerce, Defense and Royal Office Affairs.  The Environment 
Ministry unfortunately did not send representatives, who 
could have benefited from several portions of the program. 
 
3.  Overall, the course received very positive responses from 
the participants.  Comments ranged from, "extremely important 
and necessary for the control of borders" to "very useful but 
we need more equipment and practical applications." 
Moreover, while there was keen interest from participants and 
detailed question and answer periods, most participants saw a 
strong need courses involving more practical application as 
well as opportunities to build on information learned (Note: 
Ministries often send different participants to similar 
courses.  End note.) 
 
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SUGGESTIONS AND FEEDBACK 
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4.  Following the workshop, we distributed a survey to gauge 
participants' satisfaction with the material as well as to 
elicit suggestions on what they believe would enhance their 
individual skills and border security in Oman.  The following 
topics were identified for inclusion in WMD Awareness 
training as well as for developing future EXBS programs: 
 
--  Detailed follow-up course to WMD Awareness 
--  Posters/lists of prohibited and dangerous materials 
--  Inclusion of more cases of nuclear, biological and 
chemical use as well as best practices 
--  Emergency Planning and Crisis Management (including First 
Response) 
--  Threat assessment (including how to monitor companies) 
--  Train-the-Trainer workshops and opportunities for 
advanced degrees in security (in the United States) 
--  Equipment (from surveillance to detection and 
decontamination; equipment was one of the most talked-about 
and well-received modules) 
--  Practical application in managing hazardous chemical or 
radioactive substances, and responding to accidents 
--  Methods used in smuggling and how to detect weapons 
--  Tours and visits highlighting how prohibited materials 
might enter the country. 
 
5.  Based upon the feedback above and discussions with the 
Defense Attach Office and the Office of Military 
Cooperation, the Embassy suggests a follow-up to the WMD 
Awareness Course with a hands-on practicum at Port Sultan 
Qaboos (Muscat) or Port Salalah.  This multi-agency activity, 
perhaps in conjunction with Cooperation Defense Initiative, 
would cover detection, decontamination, equipment 
familiarization, container search, and smuggling.  With the 
anticipated expansion of Port Salalah and the development of 
the Salalah Free Trade Zone,  Port Salalah is poised to 
become one of the busiest ports in the world, making 
practical training in WMD essential.  The Sohar Industrial 
Port is likewise poised to become a major regional port and 
petro-chemical complex, further elevating the need for 
specialized training throughout Oman. 
BALTIMORE