Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MUSCAT1255
2005-08-11 10:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS CAUTIOUS ON IRAN

Tags:  PREL KNNP MNUC IR MU 
pdf how-to read a cable
R 111030Z AUG 05
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4830
INFO IRAN COLLECTIVE
USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 001255 


STATE FOR NEA, NEA/ARPI, NP/MNA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2015
TAGS: PREL KNNP MNUC IR MU
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS CAUTIOUS ON IRAN

Classified By: Ambassador Richard L. Baltimore III.
Reason: 1.4 (b, d).

-------
Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 001255


STATE FOR NEA, NEA/ARPI, NP/MNA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2015
TAGS: PREL KNNP MNUC IR MU
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS CAUTIOUS ON IRAN

Classified By: Ambassador Richard L. Baltimore III.
Reason: 1.4 (b, d).

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) Though Iran's new president is still largely an
unknown quantity in Oman, two Foreign Ministry officials
suggested that his recent provocative statements on resuming
uranium conversion are more likely political bluster than
actual policy. They preached engagement with Iran as the
best way to support liberal elements there. While assuring
that the Ministry is following Iranian developments closely,
they were not aware of any imminent plans to send an official
delegation to Tehran. Disturbed at the notion that Oman's
delicate relations with Iran might be buffeted by
international currents, they sidestepped the question of
whether the nuclear issue might be added to the agenda of the
postponed Arab League summit. End summary.


2. (C) In an August 10 courtesy call on two Foreign Ministry
officials, Pol Chief and visiting NEA/ARPI Oman desk
officer-designate briefly discussed Omani views on Iran's
current nuclear stand-off with the IAEA. The Under
Secretary's Political Affairs Director Humaid al-Maani and
acting director for UN Affairs in the International
Organizations Department Humud al-Towaiya voiced typical
Omani caution and optimism in dealing with Iran. (Note: The
U.S.-educated al-Towaiya will soon be transferring to the
Omani Embassy in Washington DC. End note.)

-------------- --------------
No Change in Course Despite Unknown New President
-------------- --------------


3. (C) Repeating several times that Oman cannot change who
its neighbors are, al-Maani downplayed recent provocative
statements by Iranian President Ahmadinejad and urged taking
a long-view perspective. He felt the new president's
pronouncements are largely directed at a domestic political
audience rather than necessarily constituting a firm policy.
While assuring that the Ministry's Arab Affairs Department
was monitoring Iran closely, he indicated that no high-level
delegations were in the works to call on the new Iranian
government, as far as he knew, but said ongoing working-level
contacts on security issues between the two states would not
be affected. Al-Maani suggested that perceptions of foreign
threats against Iran may have contributed to the poor showing
of reformist forces in the recent elections, and still held
out hope that the best way to encourage liberal elements in
Iran is through engagement.


4. (C) Al-Towaiya offered his personal assessment that the
Ministry had not yet formulated its attitude on any possible
stand-off between Iran and the IAEA. He echoed his colleague
in saying, however, that Ahmadinejad's public statements are
more likely posturing rather than policy.

--------------
Editorial Links Iran File to AL Summit
--------------


5. (C) The lead editorial in the government-owned Arabic
daily "Oman" on August 9 referred to U.S. threats to refer
Iran to the UN Security Council as being among the "hot
topics" that, as Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs
Yusuf bin Alawi told the press in Cairo on August 7 (septel),
make the timing of the postponed Arab League summit so
important. Asked if the editorial was any indication that
the minister proposes adding the Iran issue to the AL summit
agenda, al-Towaiya sidestepped by saying the final summit
agenda will be settled behind closed doors. (Note: Editorial
aside, we have seen no quotes from the Minister linking Iran
to the AL summit agenda. End note.)

--------------
Comment
--------------


6. (C) Our interlocutors did not deny that Ahmadinejad is an
unknown quantity to the Ministry, which had assumed well
before the Iranian elections that former president Rafsanjani
-- with whom Omani officials have had extensive
dealings--would likely win.


BALTIMORE