VENEZUELAN ENVOY VISITS MUSCAT

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 001259 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2016 TAGS: PREL UNSC MU SUBJECT: VENEZUELAN ENVOY VISITS MUSCAT REF: MUSCAT 01000 Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo. Reason: 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (U) The Omani press reported August 22 that "Tameer Bo-Ras," the Venezuelan Deputy Minister of Higher Education and "envoy" of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, visited Muscat August 21 and delivered a written message for Sultan Qaboos to Omani Foreign Ministry Under Secretary Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi. According to local English language dailies, the letter Bo-Ras presented dealt with "relations between the two friendly countries and ways of promoting them." ¶2. (C) It is very likely that the Venezuelan envoy lobbied the Omani government to support Venezuela's bid for a seat on the UN Security Council. Post will continue to advocate for Guatemala's candidacy to the Security Council (reftel),and will consult with contacts for further information on the Venezuelan's visit. GRAPPO