Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MUSCAT224
2008-03-19 12:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

OMAN DEFERS DECISION ON RECOGNIZING KOSOVO

Tags:  PREL UN UNMIK YI KV MU 
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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