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