US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT1498

S E C R E T MUSCAT 001498 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, NEA/ARPI, NEA/EX 
DEPT ALSO FOR DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/DSS/CC, CA/OCS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X1 
TAGS: AEMR, ASEC, AMGT, PTER, CASC, KHLS, MU, EAC 
SUBJECT: EMBASSY MUSCAT EAC - 10/05/2005 
 
REF: MUSCAT 1461 
 
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission William R. Stewart. 
Reason: 1.4(c). 
 
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Summary 
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1.  (SBU)  The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the Emergency 
Action Committee (EAC) on October 5 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 Situation 
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2.  (SBU)  On October 5, the Ambassador 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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Sustained Vigilance 
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3.  (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 and situationally aware. Furthermore, 
A/RSO stressed the importance of immediately reporting any 
security-related concerns or incidents to Post One.  The EAC 
was reminded that extra care should be taken during Ramadan 
to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to oneself, and to 
remain aware of cultural sensitivities during Islam's holy 
month of fasting. 
 
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EAC Conclusion 
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4.  (S/NF)  The EAC concluded that there have been no 
substantive changes in the local security environment since 
the last meeting held on October 1 (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.  AMB, DCM, P/E, PAO, MGT, A/RSO, SIMO, CONS, OMC 
(USDR), and ECA (USCENTAF) participated in the meeting. 
BALTIMORE