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