VZCZCXRO9111
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMS #0224 0791215
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 191215Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9390
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHTI/AMEMBASSY TIRANA 0001
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000224
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2018 TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK YI KV MU SUBJECT: OMAN DEFERS DECISION ON RECOGNIZING KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE
REF: MUSCAT 154
Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo for Reasons 1.4 (b, d)
(C) During a March 19 meeting with Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusef bin Alawi, the Ambassador again encouraged the government of Oman to quickly recognize the independence of Kosovo. Bin Alawi replied that Oman wished the Kosovar people well and sympathized with the many problems they have faced. He also noted that he recently had a "good discussion" with Albanian Foreign Minister Luzlim Basha at the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Summit in Senegal about Kosovo, including whether it had the economic ability to sustain itself as an independent nation. However, bin Alawi stated that Oman will not make a decision on recognizing Kosovo for the time being. The subject was simply too contentious for the government to weigh in on at the present time, he asserted, particularly since it did not directly involve Oman. Bin Alawi added that with the possible exception of Saudi Arabia, he believed that the rest of the GCC was equally indecisive on whether or when to recognize Kosovo. GRAPPO