URGENT: PSI: U.S. ASSISTANCE IN STOPPING GERMAN

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000672

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NP/CBM, EUR/PRA, AND NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2015
TAGS: ETTC PARM PREL IR MU
SUBJECT: URGENT: PSI: U.S. ASSISTANCE IN STOPPING GERMAN
CRANE SHIPMENT TO IRAN (S)

REF: A. SECSTATE 74305


B. BERLIN 1338

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


1. (S) German Ambassador Hartmut Blankenstein confirmed to us
mid-day on April 24 that he had not yet approached the Omani
government with a demarche to interdict the crane shipment
for Iran (ref A). As reported ref B, the instructions from
Berlin were transmitted after close of business on April 20,
which was the start of a 3-day religious holiday weekend
during which all Omani government offices were closed. He
indicated he would ask to see MFA Under Secretary Sayyid Badr
al-Busaidi as soon as possible to deliver the demarche, and
would inform us afterwards of the response.


2. (C) Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin
Alawi returns to his office on April 25 following lengthy
travels through the region and to Asia. We are seeking an
appointment for the Ambassador to call on him at the earliest
opportunity on April 26 to deliver the parallel U.S.
demarche.
BALTIMORE