POOR TIMING OF OMANI VISIT TO SYRIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 001374 SIPDIS FOR NEA, NEA/ARPI, AND NEA/ELA E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2015 TAGS: PREL ECON SY MU SUBJECT: POOR TIMING OF OMANI VISIT TO SYRIA REF: A. STATE 159137 ¶B. MUSCAT 1361 ¶C. MUSCAT 1345 Classified By: Ambassador Richard L. Baltimore III. Reason: 1.4 (b, d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) The Foreign Ministry has acknowledged Omani press reports that National Economy Minister Macki is traveling to Damascus for a 3-day session of the Oman-Syria Joint Commission, commencing on September 12. While the previously planned visit will seal investment and double-taxation agreements and discuss other economic issues, a photo op with the Syrian president is also possible. The Embassy reiterated to the MFA our recent demarche encouraging the diplomatic isolation of the Syrian government, and voiced concern that high-visibility meetings in Damascus might send unintended political signals. End summary. -------------- The Meeting They Forgot to Mention -------------- ¶2. (C) As reported in refs B and C, the Embassy delivered ref A demarche encouraging international isolation of Syria to MFA's International Organizations and Arab Affairs Departments, to which the Ministry replied that it did not envision having high-level talks with the Syrians either at the recent Arab League ministerial in Cairo or during the upcoming UN Summit in New York. ¶3. (U) The Omani press nevertheless reported this week that Omani National Economy Minister Ahmed Macki is leading an economic delegation to Damascus for a 3-day session of the Oman-Syria Joint Commission, beginning on September 12. According to the Oman News Agency, the session will produce bilateral agreements on the protection of mutual investment and the avoidance of double taxation, and potential agreements on land and sea transportation. Discussions will also cover the fields of tourism, finance, agriculture, communications, science and culture. Economy and Trade Minister Dr. Amir Husni Lutfi will head the Syrian side. The editorial in the September 11 edition of the government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" hailed the Joint Commission's work in improving bilateral relations and "overall cooperation between Arab countries." -------------- Voicing Concern -------------- ¶4. (C) Given the unfortunate timing of Minister Macki's visit to Syria, P/E Chief sought clarification from MFA Arab Affairs Deputy Chief Salim al-Rawahi. Rawahi indicated that the Joint Commission session had been planned for some time, as it requires Cabinet of Ministers approval. The only MFA official accompanying Macki is a mid-level staffer from the Economic Department. Rawahi was not familiar with the precise agenda of the session, but thought it possible that the Syrian President might take advantage of the opportunity to receive Macki during the visit. P/E Chief observed that, despite Oman's policy disagreements with Syria (ref C), observers might misconstrue a Bashar-Macki photo as indicating Omani support for Syria. Rawahi acknowledged this concern and undertook to raise it with MFA Arab Affairs Chief Ambassador Ahmed al-Harthy, who had just returned to Muscat with FM Yusuf bin Alawi. BALTIMORE