GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO COMBAT NUCLEAR TERRORISM:

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000201 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, ISN/WMDT, AND T (T. KATSAPIS) E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2017 TAGS: PARM PREL PTER KNNP MU SUBJECT: GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO COMBAT NUCLEAR TERRORISM: EMBASSY OMAN FOLLOW-UP REF: A. STATE 21535 ¶B. MUSCAT 00136 ¶C. STATE 16451 Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo for Reasons 1.4 (b, d) (C) As reported ref B, the Ambassador delivered ref C points and related documents on February 11 to Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yousef bin Alawi and requested that Oman become a partner nation of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (Global Initiative). On February 24, Pol/Econ Chief met with Abdullah al-Riyami, Deputy Director of the International Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA),to deliver ref A points and to emphasize the importance that the U.S. places on the Global Initiative. Al-Riyami noted Oman's commitment to combat all forms of terrorism and proliferation, as well as its support for the Proliferation Security Initiative. He stated, however, that it could be "politically difficult" for Oman to be the first, and perhaps only, GCC state to endorse the Global Initiative's Statement of Principles. Al-Riyami promised that the MFA would carefully review the matter and contact the Embassy if the Omani government required any additional information to reach a decision. (Note: The Russian Embassy in Muscat planned to participate in the meeting with al-Riyami on February 24, but backed out for "scheduling reasons" the day before. The Russians said they would revisit this issue with Post once they received further instructions from Moscow. End Note.) GRAPPO