LARIJANI EXPRESSES CONCERNS ABOUT U.S. INTENTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 001414 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR UNDER SECRETARY BURNS, NEA/ARP, NEA/RA, INR E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2016 TAGS: PREL KNNP MU IR SUBJECT: LARIJANI EXPRESSES CONCERNS ABOUT U.S. INTENTIONS TO OMAN FM REF: A. BURNS-GRAPPO TELECON OF 10/1/06 ¶B. MISENHEIMER-GRAPPO TELECON OF 10/1/06 Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo, reasons 1.5 b and d ¶1. (U) This is an action message. Please see paragraph 5. ¶2. (C) Late evening on September 30, the Ambassador met with Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi to discuss the Minister's September 30 call earlier that evening from Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Secretary for the Supreme Council for National Security Ali Larijani. Bin Alawi noted that Larijani felt "optimistic" after his most recent discussions with European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, which reportedly concluded with general agreement on "principles and modalities" for further negotiations. Larijani expressed his concern, however, that recent media statements in the U.S. called into question the USG's commitment to an agreement on Iran's enrichment program. Bin Alawi responded to Larijani that from his meetings in New York, he believed that the USG was serious about wanting to reach an agreement on Iran's nuclear program, including suspension of enrichment activities. ¶3. (C) Bin Alawi told the Ambassador that he had accepted an invitation from Larijani to join him for an October 1 Iftaar dinner in Tehran for more detailed discussion. Bin Alawi believes that Larijani requested the meeting to be reassured about the negotiations and U.S. intentions. The Ambassador reminded the minister that the USG was not looking for an intermediary or mediator with the Iranians; that there was an established channel of communication for Iran and Oman should not allow itself to be manipulated by Tehran. Bin Alawi acknowledged this point and replied that Oman was not interested in playing such a role. He closed the conversation by asking for a brief pull-aside with the Secretary on October 3 during the GCC 2 meeting in Cairo. SIPDIS ¶4. (C) The Ambassador phoned bin Alawi later on October 1 to relay ref A points. The Ambassador stressed the USG's position that negotiations between Solana and Larijani were showing very little progress on the question of suspending enrichment activities, and that the deadline for reaching an agreement before the push begins for UNSC sanctions was fast approaching. Bin Alawi thanked the Ambassador for these points and offered to provide a readout of his meeting. (Note: Per ref A, the Embassy will arrange for a teleconference with Under Secretary Burns following bin Alawi's return to Muscat. End note.) ¶5. (C) Action request. Per ref B, Embassy requests NEA assistance in arranging for a meeting between the Secretary and bin Alawi on the margins of the October 3 GCC 2 meeting in Cairo. GRAPPO