LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR PROPOSED NESA CENTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000746 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP AND NEA/RA - PLEASE PASS/BRIEF TO NESA E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2018 TAGS: PREL AMGT KMRS MASS MU SUBJECT: LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR PROPOSED NESA CENTER REGIONAL OFFICE IN MUSCAT REF: STATE 110981 Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo for Reasons 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (U) This is an Action Request; please see paragraph 5. ¶2. (C) Post continues to strongly support the establishment of a regional office in Muscat of the Department of Defense's Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies. Oman would provide an ideal geographic location for such an office in addition to offering a secure and dependable operating environment. Establishing a regional office in Oman would also strengthen the U.S.-Oman security relationship and broaden overall bilateral ties by increasing the exposure of Omani leaders to U.S. ideas and policies. Post accordingly supports in principle reftel NSDD-38 request to add three positions at Embassy Muscat for the NESA Regional Office. ¶3. (C) Before post responds to the NSDD-38, however, it is imperative that we first lay the groundwork with relevant Omani officials to help ensure acceptance of this proposal. If we move too quickly in pushing for formal approval from the Omani government for a NESA presence in Muscat, we may jeopardize our chances of receiving a positive response. In particular, given its complex relationship with Iran, Oman is very careful not to take action that might be seen as provocative by the regime in Tehran. Without a proper understanding of the mission of the NESA Center and the activities it would conduct from Muscat, the government could consequently shy away from the proposal out of concern that it might strain its relationship with Iran. In addition, although Oman has privately hosted official Israeli visitors in the past, including in its role as host of the Middle East Desalination Research Center (MEDRC),of which Israel is a member, the government here may have questions about Israeli participation in a NESA Regional Office that will have to be addressed. ¶4. (SBU) Given the context outlined above, post plans to carefully walk through the specifics of establishing a NESA Regional Office in Muscat with our interlocutors. This process will require time, however, and post would thus ask for patience in allowing Oman time to fully consider our proposal. If done correctly, we are confident of Omani approval. Once this approval is granted, post will then respond to the NSDD-38. ¶5. (SBU) Action Request: Post requests and would greatly appreciate all relevant information that can be shared with the Omanis related to the NESA proposal, including specific information on the mission, role, composition, and activities of the Muscat office. Post intends to share this information with a select number of senior Ministry of Defense, armed forces and civilian officials likely to play a role in Oman's decision to accept the NESA Regional Office. End Action Request. GRAPPO