US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT858

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000858 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, NEA/EX, NEA/ARPI 
DEPT ALSO FOR DS/DSS/CC, DS/DSS/OSAC, CA/OCS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1 
TAGS: AEMR, ASEC, AMGT, PTER, CASC, KHLS, MU, EAC 
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 05/29/2005 
 
REF: MUSCAT 0850 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. William R. Stewart. 
Reason: 1.4 (c). 
 
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Summary 
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1. (SBU)  The CDA chaired a meeting of the full Emergency 
Action Committee (EAC) May 29 to review the Embassy's 
security posture following the local holiday weekend. 
Members noted no substantive changes in the local security 
environment since the last meeting.  Accordingly, the EAC 
agreed that the Embassy's already heightened security posture 
and FPCON remain appropriate.  End Summary. 
 
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Security Environment 
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2. (SBU)  On May 29, the CDA chaired a meeting of the full 
EAC to review the Embassy's security posture following the 
local holiday 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 new 
threat reporting specific to Oman.  Members cited a quiet 
weekend with no security incidents. 
 
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Emergency Preparedness 
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3. (SBU)  The CDA led a discussion of lessons learned from 
the unannounced Embassy-wide "Duck and Cover" drill held on 
May 29.  A/RSO commented on the drill's overall effectiveness 
and solid participation.  Embassy Muscat will maintain its 
increased drilling tempo in all areas of emergency 
preparedness. 
 
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Sustained Vigilance 
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4. (SBU)  Prior to concluding the meeting, A/RSO reiterated 
that, despite the relative calm, 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.  A/RSO further re-emphasized the importance of 
immediately reporting all suspicious activity or 
security-related incidents to Post One. 
 
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EAC Conclusion 
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5. (S/NF)  The EAC concluded that there have been no 
substantive changes in the local security environment since 
the last meeting held on May 25 (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.  CDA, P/E, MGT, A/RSO, RMAS, PAO, MSG, DAO, OMC 
(USDR), and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting. 
STEWART