OMANI AND CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTERS CALL FOR IMMEDIATE END

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000035 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019-01-14 TAGS: PREL KWBG CH MU SUBJECT: OMANI AND CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTERS CALL FOR IMMEDIATE END TO ISRAELI OPERATIONS IN GAZA CLASSIFIED BY: Gary A. Grappo, Ambassador, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy - Muscat; REASON: 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (U) The Chinese Foreign Minister, Yang Jiechi, arrived in Muscat January 12 for a brief overnight visit to the Sultanate. According to local media, Jiechi met with Omani Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusef bin Alawi and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary General Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi to discuss "regional and international issues of common concern," as well as China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) relations. [Note: Oman currently holds the rotating presidency of the GCC. End Note.] Following the meeting, the MFA sent a press release to the Oman News Agency summarily stating that Jiechi and bin Alawi jointly called for an immediate and complete halt to Israeli military operations in Gaza. ¶2. (C) Comment: China is one of the largest customers for Omani crude oil, purchasing over 30% of Oman's overall oil exports during the last several years. China is also seeking to increase its economic presence in the Sultanate, having won, for example, bids for a major wastewater project in the capital and the construction of a coastal highway. [Note: Both projects have been plagued by claims of poor workmanship and cost overruns. End Note.] There is little cooperation between the Sultanate and Oman, however, outside the economic and commercial sphere. End Comment. GRAPPO To view the entire SMART message, go to URL http://repository.state.sgov.gov/_layouts/OSS SearchResults.aspx?k=messageid:73511380-3081- 43a5-b4ae-669a63456963