OMAN DEPUTY PM PREPARED TO RECEIVE HAMAS OFFICIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000443

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IPA, AND NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2016
TAGS: PREL KPAL MU
SUBJECT: OMAN DEPUTY PM PREPARED TO RECEIVE HAMAS OFFICIAL

REF: A. STATE 45370


B. STATE 37552

C. MUSCAT 386

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


1. (C) In a March 22 meeting with Charge and Pol/Econ Chief,
Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi said
that Hamas political chief Khaled Meshaal is expected to come
to Oman as part of his regional tour. While Oman has not
previously had connections with Hamas, the Minister said it
is clear now that they are the new Palestinian government.
He said Oman encouraged the visit in order to urge Hamas to
do the responsible thing and accept prior Palestinian
agreements with Israel and commit itself to the peace process
that has been going for the past two decades. "This is in
the Palestinians' best interest, and they must accept their
obligations." He added that Oman felt obliged to state its
position to Hamas directly at least one time; if Hamas
rejects the message, Oman would be within its rights to
suspend further dialogue.


2. (C) The Minister did not know the exact date of Meshaal's
visit, noting that 2-3 other states were in the queue ahead
of Oman. Meshaal will be received by Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmud
Al Said, the Deputy Prime Minister, and not by Sultan Qaboos.
The Palestinians requested the meeting at the level of head
of state, bin Alawi said, but Oman felt that was not
warranted.
STEWART