OMAN PUBLIC STATEMENT SUPPORTS USG INITIATIVE TO

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000869

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR S/ES, NEA, NEA/IR, NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OPRC MNUC IR MU
SUBJECT: OMAN PUBLIC STATEMENT SUPPORTS USG INITIATIVE TO
IRAN

REF: A. MUSCAT 868

B. SECSTATE 87682


1. (SBU) Per ref A assurance from FM Yusuf bin Alawi, the
Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a public statement
June 1 welcoming the USG's May 31 proposal to open
conditional negotiations with Iran (ref B). The statement,
which follows, was reported by the government-owned Oman News
Agency (ONA),and carried by all leading local media.


2. (U) Begin informal translation of the ONA report:

"The Sultanate has expressed its welcome to the new U.S.
stand regarding direct participation in the talks between the
European Troika and the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding
the Iranian nuclear dossier. The statement added that the
Sultanate of Oman sees in the new U.S. stand an encouraging
step towards starting a serious effort to find a diplomatic
solution and reduce the tension with the Islamic Republic of
Iran and work with it toward building an atmosphere of trust.
Building an atmosphere of trust will help find new
directions towards resolving the Middle East crisis. We are
confident that the Islamic Republic of Iran will cooperate
with the international efforts to reach a peaceful solution
to the crisis."
GRAPPO