URGING SIGNATURE AND RATIFICATION OF THE 2005 SUA

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000602 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/RA, L/LEI, NEA/ARPI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EWWT PHSA PTER PARM PREL MNUC KTIA MU SUBJECT: URGING SIGNATURE AND RATIFICATION OF THE 2005 SUA PROTOCOLS, TERROR CONVENTIONS REF: A. STATE 59099 ¶B. MUSCAT 232 ¶1. (SBU) During the course of an April 16 meeting with MFA International Organizations Department Chief Ambassador Talib Miran al-Raisi on other matters (septel),Ambassador encouraged Oman's signing and ratifying the 2005 Protocols to the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA) and its related protocol on Fixed Platforms (ref A),as quickly as possible. Al-Raisi undertook to study the issue more closely, but on first blush, said that SUA appeared fully consistent with ongoing Omani government efforts to upgrade its maritime and port security regime. He noted that Oman was undertaking a comprehensive review of all of its maritime laws. ¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador also inquired as to the ratification status of two outstanding UN conventions on Suppression of Terrorist Finance and Suppression of Terrorist Bombings (ref B). Al-Raisi said that he understood both conventions had passed legal review and were awaiting approval by the Council of Ministers. He offered no timeline for that action. GRAPPO