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