Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MUSCAT1144
2009-12-14 12:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:
OMAN: 2009 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM
how-toVZCZCXRO5266 RR RUEHDE DE RUEHMS #1144 3481202 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 141200Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1045 INFO GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEILB/NCTC WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS MUSCAT 001144
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, S/CT: RHONDA SHORE, AND NCTC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC MU
SUBJECT: OMAN: 2009 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM
REF: (A) STATE 109980; (B) STATE 122733
UNCLAS MUSCAT 001144
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, S/CT: RHONDA SHORE, AND NCTC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC MU
SUBJECT: OMAN: 2009 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM
REF: (A) STATE 109980; (B) STATE 122733
1. (U) The following is the proposed text for the 2009 Country
Report on Terrorism for Oman per ref A and B guidance.
Oman continued to be proactive in implementing counterterrorism
strategies and cooperating with neighboring countries to prevent
terrorists from entering or moving freely throughout the Arabian
Peninsula, yet remained sometimes resistant to bilateral sharing of
specifics regarding information and efforts in this field. The
Omani government opposed the spread of extremist ideology by
promoting religious moderation and tolerance. To better coordinate
efforts to prevent terrorist-related activities, the government
continued development of a national terrorism operations and
analysis center. Oman is not a major financial center and did not
have a significant money laundering problem. There were no
terrorist attacks in 2009 and Oman is not a safe haven for
terrorists.
In this regard, the Indian press reported in May that an Omani
businessman, Ali Abdul Aziz al Hooti (whose mother was Indian) was
arrested, tried, and sentenced to life imprisonment in Oman for
helping to fund Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as well as helping plan
terrorist attacks in Oman. At the same time, al Hooti's
Indian-born expat accomplice, Sarfraz Nawaz, was returned to India
where, the Indian press reports, he is also serving a life term.
Oman's long coastline and relatively porous borders remained
vulnerable to illegal transit by migrant workers, smugglers,
terrorists, and individuals involved in the traffic and sale of
illegal drugs. The government was concerned about the steady flow
of illegal immigrants attempting to enter Oman often in transit to
other destinations in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly the
United Arab Emirates. The majority of the illegal immigrants
apprehended were from Pakistan and Afghanistan. Somalis continued
to attempt to cross the border illegally into Oman from Yemen.
The Omani government actively sought training and equipment through
the U.S. and other militaries and relevant commercial entities, to
support its efforts to control its land and maritime borders
through the continued conceptual development of joint operations
centers to be staffed and equipped from relevant ministries. Oman
used United States security assistance to enhance nighttime
operational capabilities on its maritime and land borders.
2. (U) Embassy Muscat POC for this report is Pol/Econ Chief John
Clarkson, clarksonjc@state.gov.
Schmierer
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, S/CT: RHONDA SHORE, AND NCTC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC MU
SUBJECT: OMAN: 2009 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM
REF: (A) STATE 109980; (B) STATE 122733
1. (U) The following is the proposed text for the 2009 Country
Report on Terrorism for Oman per ref A and B guidance.
Oman continued to be proactive in implementing counterterrorism
strategies and cooperating with neighboring countries to prevent
terrorists from entering or moving freely throughout the Arabian
Peninsula, yet remained sometimes resistant to bilateral sharing of
specifics regarding information and efforts in this field. The
Omani government opposed the spread of extremist ideology by
promoting religious moderation and tolerance. To better coordinate
efforts to prevent terrorist-related activities, the government
continued development of a national terrorism operations and
analysis center. Oman is not a major financial center and did not
have a significant money laundering problem. There were no
terrorist attacks in 2009 and Oman is not a safe haven for
terrorists.
In this regard, the Indian press reported in May that an Omani
businessman, Ali Abdul Aziz al Hooti (whose mother was Indian) was
arrested, tried, and sentenced to life imprisonment in Oman for
helping to fund Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as well as helping plan
terrorist attacks in Oman. At the same time, al Hooti's
Indian-born expat accomplice, Sarfraz Nawaz, was returned to India
where, the Indian press reports, he is also serving a life term.
Oman's long coastline and relatively porous borders remained
vulnerable to illegal transit by migrant workers, smugglers,
terrorists, and individuals involved in the traffic and sale of
illegal drugs. The government was concerned about the steady flow
of illegal immigrants attempting to enter Oman often in transit to
other destinations in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly the
United Arab Emirates. The majority of the illegal immigrants
apprehended were from Pakistan and Afghanistan. Somalis continued
to attempt to cross the border illegally into Oman from Yemen.
The Omani government actively sought training and equipment through
the U.S. and other militaries and relevant commercial entities, to
support its efforts to control its land and maritime borders
through the continued conceptual development of joint operations
centers to be staffed and equipped from relevant ministries. Oman
used United States security assistance to enhance nighttime
operational capabilities on its maritime and land borders.
2. (U) Embassy Muscat POC for this report is Pol/Econ Chief John
Clarkson, clarksonjc@state.gov.
Schmierer