OMAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER BASHES GCC PLUS 3/P5 PLUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000849

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/16/2018
TAGS: PREL KNNP ECON IR MU
SUBJECT: OMAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER BASHES GCC PLUS 3/P5 PLUS
1 MEETING

Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo for Reasons 1.4 (b, d)


1. (SBU) Summary: While in Bahrain for the Manama Dialogue,
Oman's Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs strongly
criticized the scheduled GCC plus 3/P5 plus 1 meeting in New
York on Gulf security and asserted that Iran posed no threat
to Arab states. The Sultan's Advisor for Cultural Affairs
meanwhile traveled to Tehran on December 15 to deliver a
message from Sultan Qaboos to Iranian President Ahmedinejad.
End Summary.


2. (U) In response to questions from a reporter from
London-based Arabic daily "al-Hayat" while in Bahrain to
attend the Manama Dialogue, Omani Minister Responsible for
Foreign Affairs Yusef bin Alawi declared that he would not
participate in the GCC plus 3/P5 plus 1 meeting in New York
to discuss Gulf security issues. As quoted by al-Hayat, and
as reprinted in Omani Arabic language daily "Azzamn" on
December 15, bin Alawi stated that Oman "did not see any
benefit in the meeting" and questioned why other members of
the UN Security Council and Iran were not invited to attend.
"There can be no security in the Gulf without Iran so my
question is, why isn't Iran invited?" Bin Alawi reportedly
remarked that the GCC "has nothing to do with" the Iranian
nuclear issue and that "we do not feel threatened by a
nuclear or non-nuclear Iran."


3. (SBU) Bin Alawi's comments from Manama regarding the New
York meeting and Iran were the subject of a popular
discussion thread on Oman's primary internet chatroom. A
large majority of the on-line responses praised the
Minister's statements.


4. (U) On December 15, Abd al-Aziz bin Muhammad al-Rawas,
Advisor for Cultural Affairs to Sultan Qaboos, flew from
Muscat to Tehran on an official visit as an envoy of the
Sultan. According to both Omani and Iranian media, al-Rawas
met with Iranian President Ahmedinejad to deliver a personal
message from the Sultan and to discuss ways to "promote
bilateral ties and cooperation." Al-Rawas reportedly also
met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki before returning to
Muscat.


5. (C) Comment: Bin Alawi's unhelpful comments in Manama
are reflective of his repeated exhortations for U.S.
engagement with Iran. Al-Rawas at one time made repeated
trips to Tehran as the Sultan's personal representative, but
has not officially visited Iran since 2005 when he was the
first foreign envoy to personally congratulate Ahmedinejad on
his electoral win. Despite Iranian media claims to the
contrary, Omani officials reassure us that the Sultan's
message to Ahmedinejad did not include an invitation for Iran
to attend the upcoming GCC Summit in Muscat. Post will
attempt to get a readout on al-Rawas' visit to Tehran and
report septel. End Comment.
GRAPPO