US-EU IRAQ CONFERENCE: DELIVERABLES

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000904 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID EIND ECON IZ MU SUBJECT: US-EU IRAQ CONFERENCE: DELIVERABLES REF: A. SECSTATE 103222 ¶B. MUSCAT 874 ¶C. STATE 93742 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Oman's attendance at the US-EU International Conference on Iraq will be determined upon the return of the Foreign Minister, perhaps during the week of June 11. The MFA's Arab Affairs chief indicated to the Dutch (EU representative) that Oman would like to see the draft communique, if possible, and suggested that a Sunni Arab delegation from Iraq also be invited to offset their lack of representation in the ITG. The chief also indicated that Oman may wait until a not-yet-scheduled visit by the Iraqi FM to disburse its Madrid Conference pledge. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) The Embassy delivered ref A points to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs June 5 reiterating the request for high-level Omani representation at the U.S.-EU International Conference on Iraq, and encouraging the restoration of full diplomatic ties and disbursement of Oman's Madrid Conference assistance pledge. The political adviser to the MFA Under Secretary indicated to A/DCM that the Ministry is aware of SIPDIS our strong interest in the conference, but is awaiting the return to Oman of Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi before offering a response. Just as the Minister had previously indicated to the Ambassador, however, the adviser hinted that Bin Alawi may be on other travel during the June 21-22 conference dates. ¶3. (SBU) Dutch DCM Sander Janssen separately provided us a read-out of his June 5 demarche (on behalf of the EU Presidency) to MFA Arab Affairs Department Chief Ambassador Ahmed al-Harthy, which followed along the lines of ref C. Al-Harthy asked a number of questions to clarify the aims and structure of the conference, other attending states, and for a copy of the draft communique if one currently exists. Al-Harthy reportedly also expressed concern that the ITG was the only Iraqi entity invited. Given the low Sunni Arab participation in the elections, he wondered if a Sunni delegation could be formed that might also participate in Brussels. ¶4. (SBU) On the question of disbursing Oman's Madrid Conference pledge, Ambassador al-Harthy assured the Dutch that the Sultanate would make good on its commitment, though he did not know the exact amount of the pledge. As the Minister had previously indicated to us, al-Harthy mentioned that Oman had invited the Iraqi FM to visit Muscat, and would prefer to use that occasion to disburse its funds. But while the invitation has been formally extended, al-Harthy said a Zebari visit has yet to be formally scheduled. As for Omani participation at the conference, Ambassador al-Harthy likewise told the Dutch that the question would be resolved when the Minister returns to Muscat (which we expect to be sometime during the week of June 11). BALTIMORE