OMANIS GRUMBLE OVER ALLEGED USG REMARK ON STRAIT

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000916 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA, NEA/IR, NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR PREL KBCT EWWT OPRC IR MU SUBJECT: OMANIS GRUMBLE OVER ALLEGED USG REMARK ON STRAIT OF HORMUZ ¶1. (SBU) In recent days, popular Omani on-line message board al-Sablah has featured animated and overwhelmingly negative reactions to a USG official's alleged remark about the Strait of Hormuz on the al-Jazeera television network. Allegedly responding to statements from Iran that it could close off the Strait of Hormuz in the event of war, the unnamed U.S. official reportedly stated, "We will take control of the whole Strait even before Iran realizes it." ¶2. (SBU) The statement provoked anger from al-Sablah participants who questioned whether the U.S. plans to ignore Oman's sovereignty in the Strait. Participants expressed even deeper concern over Oman's underwhelming naval strength when compared to those of Iran and GCC neighbors. Many bloggers dismissed the Sultanate's role in controlling the Strait of Hormuz as marginal at best and doubted whether Oman has the power to face U.S. or Iranian forces in a showdown. The topic generated 2,426 hits and 104 responses, mainly expressing disappointment toward the Sultanate's inability to reign supreme even in its own sovereign territorial waters. STEWART