Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MUSCAT701
2006-05-03 13:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

OMAN "SUPPORTS" IRAN CANDIDACY TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS

Tags:  OPDC PREL PHUM KUNR MU 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000701 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, IO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2016
TAGS: OPDC PREL PHUM KUNR MU
SUBJECT: OMAN "SUPPORTS" IRAN CANDIDACY TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS
COUNCIL

REF: A. STATE 68575

B. STATE 66050

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

-------
SUMMARY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000701

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, IO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2016
TAGS: OPDC PREL PHUM KUNR MU
SUBJECT: OMAN "SUPPORTS" IRAN CANDIDACY TO UN HUMAN RIGHTS
COUNCIL

REF: A. STATE 68575

B. STATE 66050

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

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sayyid Badr
al-Busaidi indicated to Ambassador May 3 that Oman would
support Iran's candidacy to the UN Human Rights Council
(UNHRC) if Tehran runs for a seat. The Under Secretary
believes that including Iran on the Council will prove to be
an effective engagement strategy in the long-term. He
lamented the USG decision not to seek a seat on the Council,
noting that lack of USG participation will likely result in
an ineffective body. We intend to follow up with FM Bin
Alawi at the earliest opportunity. End Summary.

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Oman Will Support Iran Candidacy to UNHRC
--------------


2. (C) In a May 3 call on MFA Under Secretary Sayyid Badr
al-Busaidi, Ambassador delivered USG talking points opposing
Iran's candidacy to the UN Human Rights Council (reftels).
The Under Secretary said that, although the Omani government
is not aware of Iran's interest to run for a Council seat,
should Iran do so, the Omani government would "probably"
support its candidacy.


3. (C) The Ambassador stressed to Sayyid Badr that the
inclusion of such egregious violators of human rights
contributed to the ineffectiveness of the Human Rights
Commission and that Iran's presence on the HRC would hinder
genuine efforts to advance the cause of human rights
throughout the world. The Under Secretary hinted that he
hoped the new charter will be more restrictive on countries
seeking to oppose substantive change, but said the Omani
government must consider their historical ties and regional
concerns, noting that it would be both inappropriate and
ineffective to use the UNHRC as a political tool. Moreover,
Sayyid Badr said that including Iran on the Council could
prove to be a more effective long-term strategy for winning
Iran's "responsible engagement" in international
institutions.


4. (C) The Under Secretary confirmed that Oman is not
interested in being on the Council and relayed his
disappointment that the world's biggest advocate of human
rights, the United States, is not competing, noting that the
lack of USG participation will likely result in an
ineffective council.

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Comment
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5. (C) Despite Oman's long-standing desire to better
integrate Iran into the international community in hopes of
tempering Tehran's unruly behavior, support for Iran's
candidacy to the Human Rights Council is disturbing and
difficult to understand. Sayyid Badr seemed to imply that
Oman's position is not final, and the Ambassador will seek
clarification with FM Yusuf bin Alawi upon his return to
Muscat, sometime after the GCC mini-summit on May 6.
GRAPPO