FURTHER RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR RESETTLEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000027

SIPDIS

STATE FOR S/WCI AND NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/04/2016
TAGS: MOPS PREL PTER PHUM PREF PINR MU
SUBJECT: FURTHER RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR RESETTLEMENT
ASSISTANCE OF CERTAIN DETAINEES FROM GUANTANAMO

REF: A. 05 MUSCAT 1846

B. 05 STATE 215195

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires William R. Stewart.
Reason: 1.4 (b, d).


1. (C) Subsequent to the Ambassador's December 5 meeting with
MFA Under Secretary Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi concerning the USG
request for Omani assistance in resettling up to 15 Uighur
detainees from Guatanamo (ref A),the Embassy reiterated the
ref B request and background information to the Ministry in a
written communication. On January 4, Humaid al-Maani, Deputy
Chief of the MFA Under Secretary's Office, contacted Pol/Econ
Chief in response to the written communication.


2. (C) Having taken the USG request under further review,
al-Maani informed the Embassy that the Sultanate saw no way
it could accommodate the Uighurs in a manner consistent with
Omani law and obligations and therefore must decline the
request. Al-Maani underscored the Sultanate's high regard
for its mutually supportive bilateral relationship with the
U.S., and regretted Oman could not be assistance in this
particular instance.
STEWART