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