US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT937

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000937 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, NEA/ARPI, NEA/EX 
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 - 06/11/2005 
 
REF: A. MUSCAT 0922 
 
     B. STATE 106100 
     C. MUSCAT 0886 
     D. MUSCAT 0858 
 
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Michael G. Snowden. 
Reason: 1.4(c)(g). 
 
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Summary 
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1.  (SBU)  The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the Emergency 
Action Committee (EAC) on June 11 to review the Embassy's 
security posture following the local 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 June 11, the Ambassador chaired a meeting of 
the full EAC to review the Embassy's security posture 
following the local 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, 
including Duty Officer, cited no security incidents among 
their staffs or family members over the weekend, while CONS 
confirmed that there were no reported security incidents or 
security-related queries from the private American citizen 
community. 
 
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Perimeter Security 
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3.  (C)  RSO also raised reftel B, regarding perimeter 
security issues.  RSO reiterated that the use of the 
Embassy's Imminent Danger Notification System is routinely 
reviewed with local guard force, surveillance detection, and 
Marine Security Guard personnel, most recently during the May 
29 unannounced Embassy-wide "Duck and Cover" drill - 
initiated by a local guard (reftels C and D).  RSO also 
reviewed vehicle access and screening procedures, and 
confirmed that the entire guard force -- to include personnel 
assigned to the Chancery's vehicle gates -- is operating at 
the requisite degree of vigilance. 
 
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Personal Security 
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4.  (SBU)  Prior to concluding the meeting, 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.  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 previously reported assessments of the 
local security environment since the last meeting held on 
June 8 (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.  AMB, A/DCM, 
MGT, RSO, ARSO, RMAS, P/E, PAO, CONS, MSG, DAO, OMC (USDR), 
and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting. 
BALTIMORE