OMAN: DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE IN IRAQ, SUPPORT FOR ITG

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000997 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL IZ MU SUBJECT: OMAN: DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE IN IRAQ, SUPPORT FOR ITG REF: A. SECSTATE 103222 ¶B. MUSCAT 986 ¶C. MUSCAT 904 ¶1. (U) In further response (refs B and C) to our demarche on ref A points encouraging Omani support for the Iraqi government and re-establishing a diplomatic presence in Baghdad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a Note Verbale to the Embassy dated June 20. ¶2. (SBU) In its communication, the Ministry reaffirmed its unstinting support for the Iraqi government, pointing to the high-level reception accorded to the Iraqi Finance Minister during his recent visit to Muscat. The Ministry cited its close contact with the local Iraqi employees of the Omani Embassy in Baghdad, however, in determining that the current security situation there is not yet suitable for Omani diplomats. SNOWDEN