OMAN STILL MULLING HCOC

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000850 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/MTR, NEA/ARP, NEA/RA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MNUC KSCA ETTC TSPA MU SUBJECT: OMAN STILL MULLING HCOC REF: STATE 64555 ¶1. The Embassy delivered reftel demarche and information to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on April 29, encouraging Oman's subscription to the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC) and attendance at the June 22-23 HCOC Fifth Regular Meeting in Vienna. ¶2. In a follow-up telephone conversation with Pol/Econ chief on May 31, MFA Disarmament Affairs officer Abdullah al-Riyami said Oman had not yet decided on its position vis a vis the HCOC, but was hopeful he would have more definitive information within the first two weeks of June. Pol/Econ Chief reminded al-Riyami of Oman's consistent support for non-proliferation and the considerable ease of subscribing to the HCOC. ¶3. The Embassy will report any further information. GRAPPO