C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 001317

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2016
TAGS: PREL UNSC MU
SUBJECT: OMAN UNDECIDED ON CONTESTED GRULAC SEAT ON UN
SECURITY COUNCIL

REF: A. STATE 145279


B. STATE 145242

C. MUSCAT 1267

D. MUSCAT 1259

E. MUSCAT 1000

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


1. (C) In a meeting with Minister Responsible for Foreign
Affairs Yusef bin Alawi on September 4 to discuss a range of
issues (septels), the Ambassador made another strong pitch in
support of Guatemala's candidacy for the contested GRULAC
seat on the UN Security Council. Alawi replied that Oman and
other Arab countries would take a close look at Guatemala's
voting record on "Arab issues" at the United Nations, which
he implied was not favorable as Guatemala "routinely sided
with Israel." He continued that he had urged a Guatemalan
representative visiting Muscat earlier in the year to try to
reach an agreement on the UN vote with both the Arab League
and the Organization of Islamic Conference, but did not
believe that the Guatemalans had followed his advice.


2. (C) Alawi stated that the Arab League (AL) had not yet
reached a consensus on whether to support Guatemala or
Venezuela for the contested seat. If the AL did issue a
formal position on the issue, it was likely to be in favor of
Venezuela. Alawi added that it would be difficult for Oman
to break ranks with the AL, although he noted that the use of
secret ballots would insulate Oman and other countries from

SIPDIS
voting scrutiny. Alawi did not think that a possible
statement from the upcoming Non-Aligned Movement Summit (ref
B) in support of Venezuela's candidacy would carry much
weight.


3. (C) The Ambassador concluded the discussion by
emphasizin that the Security Council election was not a
"US. versus Venezuela" issue, and reminding Alawi of is
earlier statements indicating that Oman wouldlikely abstain
rather than vote for Venezuela fo the Security Council seat
(ref E). Alawi promied to give the U.S. position serious
consideratin.
GRAPPO