OMAN - U.S. SECURITY DIALOGUES

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001029 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/RA AND PM/RSAT - PETRONE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MARR MU SUBJECT: OMAN - U.S. SECURITY DIALOGUES REF: STATE 112900 ¶1. (SBU) The United States has two security dialogues with the Sultanate of Oman: the Joint Military Commission (JMC) and the Gulf Security Dialogue (GSD). ¶2. (SBU) The JMC is held between the Department of Defense and the Omani Ministry of Defense. It meets reciprocally in Muscat and in Washington. The frequency is intended to be every 18 months but scheduling issues on both sides sometimes delays this. The meetings have been held in June 2005 in Washington, March 2007 in Muscat, and May 2009 in Washington. In the interim there are ad hoc working groups on security assistance and military cooperation. ¶3. (SBU) The GSD is a joint Department (PM) and DOD (OSD) meeting with Omani counterparts. It also meets reciprocally between Muscat and Washington. Its dates have been October 2006 in Muscat, June 2007 in Washington, October 2007 in Muscat and May 2008 in Muscat. ¶4. (SBU) Both dialogues are well received by both sides, providing venue to raise points and discuss issues of common interest. The next GSD will be held at a yet-to-be determined date, in Muscat. It had been penciled in for summer 2009 but put on hold for various reasons. Schmierer