ASSESSMENT ON UNHRC ELECTION: OMAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000460 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR IO/RHS, DRL/MLGA, EUR/PGI AND NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/10/2017 TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC MU SUBJECT: ASSESSMENT ON UNHRC ELECTION: OMAN REF: A. STATE 63345 ¶B. MUSCAT 453 Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo for Reasons 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (C) In response to ref A, the Ambassador met May 10 with Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusef bin Alawi to urge the Omani government to support Slovenia and Bosnia for seats on the UN Human Rights Council and to reject the bid of Belarus. (Note: The Ambassador previously raised U.S. objections to the candidacy of Belarus with MFA Under Secretary Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi -- ref B. End Note.) Bin SIPDIS Alawi noted the points raised by the Ambassador and remarked that he had spoken to the Slovenian Foreign Minister on this subject. He did not indicate how Oman would vote, however, stating that Oman would "review" its position on the bid of Belarus with both the Arab League and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). ¶2. (C) Comment: Post believes that Oman's decision on this issue will likely be determined in New York. In accordance with bin Alawi's statements, we strongly recommend that the U.S. engage with both the Arab League and OIC missions in New York to help steer the vote of Oman and other undecided states. End Comment. GRAPPO