QABOOS PUBLICLY HAILS NEW IRAQI PRESIDENT

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000581

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR NEA/I, NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID IZ MU
SUBJECT: QABOOS PUBLICLY HAILS NEW IRAQI PRESIDENT



1. (U) Sultan Qaboos sent a congratulatory cable of greetings
on April 8 to Jalal Talabani on the occasion of his election
as president of Iraq, "wishing him good health and success in
fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Iraq for
stability, progress and prosperity," according to the Oman
News Agency. The Sultan sent a similar message to new Iraqi
PM Ibrahim Jaafari.


2. (SBU) Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin
Alawi had previously assured the Ambassador that Oman would
be among the first to congratulate a new Iraqi government.
Having now come through on that pledge, we will watch to see
if disbursal of Oman's Iraq reconstruction pledge
(approximately USD 5 million) is likewise soon fulfilled.
BALTIMORE