Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MUSCAT358
2008-05-14 10:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

ENCOURAGING OMAN TO SUBSCRIBE TO HCOC

Tags:  PREL MNUC MTCRE KSCA TSPA MU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMS #0358 1351033
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 141033Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9577
C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000358 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/MTR, NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2018
TAGS: PREL MNUC MTCRE KSCA TSPA MU
SUBJECT: ENCOURAGING OMAN TO SUBSCRIBE TO HCOC

REF: STATE 40626

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000358

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/MTR, NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2018
TAGS: PREL MNUC MTCRE KSCA TSPA MU
SUBJECT: ENCOURAGING OMAN TO SUBSCRIBE TO HCOC

REF: STATE 40626


1. (SBU) Pol-Econ Chief delivered reftel demarche, talking
points and sample note verbale on April 22 to Abdullah
al-Riaymi, Deputy Director of the International Affairs
Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and strongly
encouraged the Omani government to promptly subscribe to the
Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation
(HCOC). Al-Riyami replied that Oman's subscription continued
to be "under review" and that he would endeavor to provide a
further response within the next month.


2. (SBU) Contacted by Pol-Econ Chief on May 15, al-Riyami
apologized for having no additional information to pass on
regarding the HCOC. Reflecting earlier remarks (reftel),he
noted that he did not know of any government objections to
the substance of the HCOC, but added that Oman was often
hesitant to be the first GCC country to sign on to
international documents of this nature. He pledged to
continue to try to move the issue forward.


3. (C) Comment: Al-Riyami's comments about Omani reluctance
to be the GCC leader on international security and
non-proliferation agreements ring true from post experience.
Oman's consideration of the Global Initiative to Combat
Nuclear Terrorism, for example, continues after many months
with no visible progress. This cautious approach, combined
with the slow pace of Oman's bureaucracy and the need for
full Council of Ministers approval, may delay a final Omani
decision on the HCOC for quite some time. On the positive
side, once the Omani government formally signs on to an
agreement, it is very conscientious in fulfilling its
resulting obligations. End Comment.
GRAPPO