OMAN CONSIDERS RECONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 001268

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2016
TAGS: PREL EAID LE MU
SUBJECT: OMAN CONSIDERS RECONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE FOR
LEBANON

REF: A. STATE 139903


B. MUSCAT 01248

C. MUSCAT 01239

Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo. Reason: 1.4 (b,d).


1. (C) At a meeting with Omani Foreign Ministry Under
Secretary Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi on August 27, the Ambassador

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urged the Omani government to consider providing humanitarian
aid and reconstruction assistance to Lebanon in addition to
the humanitarian supplies already delivered (ref B).
Al-Busaidi responded that Oman was in direct contact with the
government of Lebanon, and that he hoped the Omani government
cabinet would approve additional assistance for Lebanese
reconstruction. He noted that a government sub-committee,
which included the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was currently
studying the possibility of further aid for Lebanon.


2. (C) Al-Busaidi continued that there was some concern in
the Omani government that a portion of possible financial
assistance for Lebanon might not reach its intended purpose
due to corruption. For this reason, Oman had so far limited
its aid to humanitarian supplies, and would need to carefully
examine different mechanisms available to receive and
administer financial contributions for Lebanon. (He cited
UNICEF as a potentially acceptable channel for monetary aid.)
Al-Busaidi added that a possible Omani contribution would be
mostly "symbolic" in comparison to cash pledged by wealthier
GCC governments.


3. (C) Regarding security assistance for Lebanon, al-Busaidi
stated that the Omani Ministry of Defense would take the lead
in evaluating what assistance, if any, could be provided to
the Lebanese Armed Forces. The Ambassador concluded the
discussion by offering to supply information to address Omani
concerns or questions on reconstruction and security support
for Lebanon.
GRAPPO