CONTRIBUTIONS TO AFGHANISTAN: OMAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000293 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, SCA/A AND EUR/RPM E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019-04-07 TAGS: PREL EAID MOPS MARR NATO AF MU SUBJECT: CONTRIBUTIONS TO AFGHANISTAN: OMAN REF: A) STATE 31102; B) MUSCAT 49 CLASSIFIED BY: Gary A. Grappo, Ambassador, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy - Muscat; REASON: 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (C) Post delivered general ref A points via diplomatic note April 5 to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). On April 6, Pol-Econ Chief met with Mohammed al-Hassan, Political Affairs Director for Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusef bin Alawi, to highlight relevant ref A information and to specifically request that Oman consider providing $3 million per year for five years to the NATO Afghan National Army Trust Fund in addition to working with UNHCR and/or the ICRC to assist refugees and internally displaced people. Al-Hassan replied that Oman was concerned with stability in Afghanistan and had discretely funded "around twelve projects" in the country, including the construction of schools. [Note: The MFA Director of the West Asian Affairs Department previously told emboffs that Oman had donated or pledged a total of USD 7 million to build schools and provide other aid for Afghanistan (ref B). End Note.] ¶2. (SBU) Al-Hassan stated that the government would review our latest request for financial assistance for Afghanistan, but noted that the Sultanate generally preferred to provide aid for humanitarian/civil projects. He also said said he would endeavor to provide post with information on Oman's current and past assistance projects in Afghanistan. ¶3. (C) Comment: Post continues to believe that it will be very difficult to persuade the Sultanate to open its pockets for Afghanistan as the government believes it is already providing assistance commensurate with its interests there. Oman's traditional reluctance to fund foreign military forces and its marked concerns about corruption in Afghanistan are also complicating factors. End Comment. GRAPPO