US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT1104

S E C R E T MUSCAT 001104 
 
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 - 07/13/2005 
 
REF: A. MUSCAT 1080 
 
     B. SECSTATE 121481 
 
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Michael G. Snowden. 
Reason: 1.4(c). 
 
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Summary 
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1. (SBU)  The Acting Deputy Chief of Mission (A/DCM) chaired 
a meeting of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on July 13 
to review the Embassy's security posture prior to 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 force protection condition (FPCON) remain 
appropriate.  End Summary. 
 
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Local Security Environment 
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2. (SBU)  On July 13, the A/DCM chaired a meeting of the core 
EAC to review the Embassy's security posture prior to 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. 
 
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Reporting Surveillance Incidents 
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3. (S/NF)  ARSO led a review of reftel B, regarding the 
reporting of potential surveillance incidents.  Specifically, 
ARSO briefed the core EAC on the various surveillance 
incidents outlined in reftel B, and reminded all in 
attendance that surveillance can occur via various means. 
All EAC members were reminded to report any suspected 
surveillance incidents immediately to Post One upon 
observation - no matter how insignificant an incident may 
appear.  Members were asked to bring this message back to 
their respective sections and share it with all employees 
under their supervision.  Members were also advised that 
reftel B was available for full review upon request. 
 
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Sustained Vigilance 
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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. 
 
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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 July 9 (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.  A/DCM, RSO, ARSO, MGT (Duty Officer), RMAS, CONS, OMC 
(USDR), and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting. 
BALTIMORE