MUSCAT RESPONSE TO EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK;

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001576 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP COMMERCE FOR OEA/532 MHAMES AND OTHEOCHARIDES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BEXP ETRD ETTC MU SUBJECT: MUSCAT RESPONSE TO EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK; MINISTRY OF MANPOWER REF: A. USDOC 04613 ¶B. REILLY-HAMES EMAIL OF 8/24/06 ¶1. (SBU) Per ref A, Econoff attempted to conduct a pre-license check on the College of Higher Technology, Ministry of Manpower. Econoff was unable to contact the Director General of Technology and Education at the Ministry of Manpower on three separate attempts (August 26, August 27, and September 6) to discuss the purchase of the firewall security components for the college's computer networks. During the same time period, Econoff contacted the Director of Public Relations, who referred the inquiry to the Director General of Finance at the Ministry of Manpower. Telephone calls were never returned. Per ref B, Econoff contacted Rehama Amar, the IT Director of the Muscat Region, regarding the purchase of the system. Ms. Amar was well-aware of the purchase and agreed to an on-site visit with Econoff on September 13. Ms. Amar called back to cancel the appointment, however, and said that the organization's protocol required a meeting with the college dean instead. After repeated calls to the dean's office, Ms. Amar informed Econoff that the dean had transferred to another position, and referred Econoff to his replacement, Dr. Abdal-Hakim al-Isma'ili. After unsuccessful attempts to contact the new dean, Econoff then followed with a letter on October 28, requesting an immediate appointment to discuss the purchase. On October 28, the dean called Econoff and stated that he was unclear of the request, noting that the College of Higher Technology was a sponsor of an Embassy-sponsored American Corner. Econoff replied that the purpose of the mandatory site visit was simply to confirm the recipient's suitability for receiving purchases of this nature as per U.S. regulations. While displeased, Dr. al-Isma'ili understood, and endeavored to get back to the Embassy. ¶2. (SBU) Comment. The Ministry of Manpower and the College of Higher Technology are institutions well-known to the Embassy. Given this relationship and the responses provided by Ms. Amar during several telephone conversations with Econoff, the recipient appears suitable and the purpose of the purchase appears valid. Embassy will attempt to conduct the mandatory site visit at the earliest opportunity. GRAPPO