STOPPING FLOW OF FOREIGN FIGHTERS TO IRAQ: OMAN

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000671

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/ELA, NEA/I/POL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER SY IZ MU
SUBJECT: STOPPING FLOW OF FOREIGN FIGHTERS TO IRAQ: OMAN

REF: STATE 92339

Classified By: CDA Alfred F. Fonteneau for Reasons 1.4 (b, d)


1. (S) Pol-Econ Chief delivered reftel demarche on July 3 to
Humaid al-Maani, Office Director for Ministry of Foreign
Affairs Under Secretary Sayyid al Badr al-Busaidi. (Note:
Al-Maani had recently returned to Muscat from Washington
after participating in the U.S.-Oman Gulf Security Dialogue.
End Note.) Al-Maani acknowledged U.S. concerns over the flow
of foreign fighters to Iraq via Syria, but noted that Oman
had "little influence" with Damascus. Regarding actions to
prevent individuals from joining terrorist or insurgent
groups in Iraq, al-Maani commented that travel restrictions
and information campaigns were "not appropriate or necessary"
in the case of Oman as it was not a source or transit country
for men attempting to enter Iraq for illicit purposes.


2. (S) As instructed, post is also pursuing reftel
objectives through intelligence channels.
FONTENEAU