OMAN CONFIRMS ATTENDANCE AT THE BMENA DEMOCRACY

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000702 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PI (LSCHULTZ AND BTHORKELSON) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KDEM KMPI MU SUBJECT: OMAN CONFIRMS ATTENDANCE AT THE BMENA DEMOCRACY ASSISTANCE DIALOGUE REF: STATE 68228 ¶1. (SBU) In a May 3 call on MFA Under Secretary Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi, Ambassador shared reftel information on the BMENA Democracy Assistance Dialogue (DAD) and urged Omani official participation. The Under Secretary confirmed Oman's participation in earlier DAD events but did not know if Oman had received an official invitation regarding the upcoming program in Ankara. The Under Secretary undertook to determine whether the MFA has yet received an invitation and who, if anyone, will represent Oman at the conference. ¶2. (SBU) Turkish Embassy DCM Sinem Mingan confirmed to P/E Chief on May 3 that a formal invitation was delivered, via the MFA, to Minister of Social Development Dr. Sharifa al-Yahyai. MOSD replied that Dr. Sharifa was unavailable, however, but would look into other possible candidates. The Turkish Embassy suggested Oman consider sending one of its other female cabinet ministers, or the MOSD Under Secretary. Mingan said the GOT was placing a high priority on the DAD, and was encouraged that the USG was also urging attendance. She promised to share with us any further updates. The Embassy will report any further responses. GRAPPO