MESSAGE TO OIC ON ARAB LEAGUE BOYCOTT MEETING

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000397 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D C O P Y REPLACES MRN 387 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: IO ETRD KISL KPAO PREL PTER XF MU SUBJECT: MESSAGE TO OIC ON ARAB LEAGUE BOYCOTT MEETING REF: SECSTATE 39165 (SBU) In light of Congressional scrutiny of the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement, Omani officials were particularly responsive to reftel request to eschew any role or participation in the proposed OIC meeting on the Arab League boycott. Foreign Ministry and Commerce Ministry officials assured Emboffs there would be no Omani representative to any future Israeli boycott meetings whatsoever. Indeed, a Foreign Ministry official confirmed on March 15 that MFA sent a circular to all of its overseas diplomatic missions during the past week reminding its personnel that Oman does not/not observe the Arab League boycott of Israel and that personnel are forbidden from attending any boycott meetings. STEWART