CITES VOTE IMMINENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000557

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, OES/ENV
DEPT PASS USTR FOR JBUNTIN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/03/2017
TAGS: SENV ETRD PREL MU
SUBJECT: CITES VOTE IMMINENT

REF: A. GRAPPO-MCMURRAY 5/31 TELECON

B. MUSCAT 546

Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo, reasons 1.4 b and d


1. (C) On June 2, the Ambassador raised the issue of Oman's
pledge to accede to the Convention on the International Trade
of Endangered Species (CITES) with Commerce and Industry
Minister Maqbool bin Ali Sultan. Maqbool predicted that the
Council of Ministers would act on implementing legislation on
either June 3 or 4. "We have to do it," stated the Minister.
"It's good for Oman." Maqbool added that he had been
advocating for passage of CITES with fellow ministers and
believed that, based on feedback, it would receive quick
approval from the Council. Embassy will inquire about the
decision on CITES once the Council has convened.


2. (C) Embassy notes that once approved by the Council, the
CITES legislation would still require approval by the Sultan
for enactment as law. We believe the Sultan, who has
established multiple natural reserves for the protection of
various endangered species such as the Arabian leopard, sea
turtles, and oryx, will sign CITES as a royal decree once it
reaches him.
GRAPPO