OMAN WITHDRAWS CANDIDACY OF JUDGE TO LAW OF SEA

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000833 SIPDIS STATE FOR OES/OA, L/OES, IO/T, EB/TRA, AND NEA/ARPI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHSA TPHY PREL MU SUBJECT: OMAN WITHDRAWS CANDIDACY OF JUDGE TO LAW OF SEA TRIBUNAL REF: MUSCAT 322 The Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a circular to diplomatic missions in Muscat dated May 17 announcing the government's decision to withdraw its nominee for the position of judge at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, elections for which are scheduled for June 16-24 in New York. While the circular does not state a reason for the Sultanate's decision, it does note that Oman plans to resubmit the nomination of Counselor Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Salim al-Sameen in the 2008 elections to the tribunal. BALTIMORE