PSI: EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000553

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NP, AC, T, NEA, NEA/ARPI
GCC COLLECTIVE PLEASE PASS TO T DELEGATION

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2016
TAGS: PARM KNNP MNUC PGOV PHSA PREL MU
SUBJECT: PSI: EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

REF: SECSTATE 50792

Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo. Reason: 1.4 (b, d).


1. (C) With other Omani officials unavailable to receive
reftel demarche, Pol/Econ Chief raised the points on April 4
with Mohammed al-Hassan, Political Affairs Director for FM
Yusuf bin Alawi. Taking on board the USG's points and
pledging to pass them directly to the Minister, al-Hassan
observed that it is out of character for the Omani government
to come out publicly on something like PSI, particularly for
an issue as prone as this to "misinterpretation by the
public." He underscored that the USG had received assurances
"from the lion's mouth" (i.e., directly from the Minister) of
Oman's commitment to PSI principles, and that such an
assurance was iron-clad. Al-Hassan reiterated Oman's
consistent and unblemished record of support for NPT and
nonproliferation principles, noting that the Sultanate had
also recently received a letter from UN Secretary General
Annan on this topic. He said Oman's response to UNSYG would
be similarly supportive of NPT and nonproliferation.


2. (C) Comment: MFA's penchant for confidentiality
notwithstanding, Under Secretary Joseph's delegation may wish
to request during their meeting with Minister bin Alawi on
April 9 that MFA's press release regarding their meeting make
mention of "shared concerns on nonproliferation," if not PSI
specifically.

GRAPPO