Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MUSCAT746
2008-10-29 11:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR PROPOSED NESA CENTER

Tags:  PREL AMGT KMRS MASS MU 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMS #0746 3031159
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 291159Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0072
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
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)

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