SAYYID BADR PREVIEWS GCC HEADS OF STATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000706

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA, NEA/ARPI, T

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER MOPS KNNP XF MU
SUBJECT: SAYYID BADR PREVIEWS GCC HEADS OF STATE
CONSULTATIVE MEETING

REF: A. STATE 68574

B. MUSCAT 671

C. STATE 67471

D. STATE 65124

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

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Summary
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1. (C) MFA Under Secretary Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi assured the
Ambassador May 3 that Oman supports reconstruction efforts in
Iraq, has forgiven all Iraqi debt, and will consider opening
a diplomatic mission in Baghdad once the security situation
there has improved. He indicated that Oman would support
Iran's candidacy to the UN Human Rights Council should they
decide to participate (septel),and expressed disappointment
that the USG is not seeking a seat on the Council. He took
on board USG points regarding Hamas, but replied that the GCC
consultative meeting will have no fixed agenda and is not
likely to generate an official statement. End Summary.

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Hamas, Iraq's New Government
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2. (C) In a May 3 meeting with MFA Under Secretary Sayyid
Badr al-Busaidi, the Ambassador covered the USG talking
points provided in reftels. The Under Secretary had little
response to the Hamas points (most of which were covered at
length in the April 25 meeting, ref B),other than to say
that the GCC consultative meeting has no set agenda like the
full summit. On Iraq, however, Sayyid Badr reiterated Oman's
support for reconstruction efforts and confirmed its
forgiveness of all Iraqi debt. He said that the Omani
government has open lines of communication with Iraq,
including direct and frequent contact between Foreign
Ministers.


3. (C) Opening a diplomatic mission in Baghdad, however, is
wholly dependent on the security situation. Sayyid Badr
stressed that it is not a political issue, but rather Oman
doesn't have the necessary resources, such as convoys and
guards, to ensure the safety of its diplomats. That said, FM
Yusuf bin Alawi was considering an as-yet unscheduled visit
to Iraq to greet the new government. The Ambassador
encouraged the minister's travel and offered assistance in
facilitating arrangements, if necessary.

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Sending Message to Iran
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4. (C) Again paralleling the April 25 discussion, the
Ambassador took the opportunity to express appreciation for
Oman's participation in the Proliferation Security
Initiative, but reiterated USG hope that the Omani government
will make a public statement of its support soon. Such
public cooperation would send a strong signal to Tehran of
regional opposition to its WMD ambitions. Sayyid Badr
claimed that the problem is not whether Iran has nuclear
weapons, but whether Tehran can be trusted to have them. The
U.S and other western nations should seek to better
understand the Iranian mindset and direct their efforts
towards "bridging these gaps of confidence." The Under
Secretary reminded the Ambassador of Oman's close

SIPDIS
relationship with Iran and its hope that through continued
engagement it can effect positive change.


5. (C) As reported septel, the Under Secretary surprisingly
asserted that Oman would support Iran's candidacy to the UN
Human Rights Council (UNHRC) should they decide to
participate, arguing that including Iran on the Council could
prove to be a more effective strategy in the long-term for
moderating Iranian behavior. He also relayed his
disappointment that the USG will not participate on the
Council, noting that the USG's absence will likely result in
an ineffective Council. The Ambassador countered forcefully
that backing flagrant rights abusers such as Iran would
undermine concerted efforts to reform UN actions in support
of human rights, which the discredited UNHRC had previously
failed to do, and urged Oman to reconsider its position.

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Don't Expect GCC Statement
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6. (C) The Under Secretary admitted that while Oman shares
fundamental principles with the U.S., Oman's historical
relationship with Iran will continue to shape its long-term
efforts to effect change within Iran and achieve stability in
the region. He explained that as Oman is trusted by Tehran,
his government can be frank in its discussions with the
Iranians and be taken seriously. "We listen to a lot of
their 'crap' and are not afraid to call them on it," he said.
Approaches will surely vary from country to country within
the GCC, he readily admitted. The Under Secretary reminded
the Ambassador that the USG's friends in this region are
fully aware of Washington's concerns, but that the GCC
Consultative Summit is a brief, informal event with an open
agenda, and that no official statement on the discussions
will be issued. He does not anticipate public "signals"
emanating from the meeting.
GRAPPO