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