UPDATE: PSI - GERMAN CRANE SHIPMENT

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000696

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NP/CBM, EUR/PRA, NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2015
TAGS: ETTC PARM PREL IR MU
SUBJECT: UPDATE: PSI - GERMAN CRANE SHIPMENT

REF: A. MUSCAT 687 AND PREVIOUS

B. WICKES-DURHAM E-MAIL 4/27/05

C. STATE 75880 AND PREVIOUS

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


1. (S) As forecast in ref A, the German Ambassador in Muscat
received no instructions from Berlin overnight nor any during
the working day on April 27 regarding the German crane
shipment bound for Iran (ref C). The German Embassy duty
officer informed Pol Chief that they will monitor
communications over the local weekend (Thurs-Fri) for any
instructions and keep us informed. (Note: Ref B suggests,
however, that no instructions to take action are likely to
emanate from Berlin. End note.)


2. (S) Per ref C, in the absence of German Embassy action,
the Ambassador canceled a provisional appointment with the
Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs for April 27.


3. (S) Comment: The Omani government is now officially closed
for business until April 30. It appears that the vessel
transporting the German cranes will arrive and depart Muscat
on April 28. Should any last-minute effort be made to
interdict the delivery of the cranes, it is highly unlikely
that the Omani government would be capable or willing to take
decisive action given those circumstances and the fact that
it has already rebuffed a previous German request. In our
view, only direct intercession with the shipping company is
likely to bear fruit at this late stage.
BALTIMORE