Oman: Port Access and Utilization

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000391 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/05/03 TAGS: EWWT ETRD MOPS PREL PHSA MU SUBJECT: Oman: Port Access and Utilization REF: MUSCAT 147, MUSCAT 377 CLASSIFIED BY: Gary A. Grappo, Ambassador, Department of State, Embassy Muscat; REASON: 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (C) Summary: In an April 24 meeting with the Ambassador and poloff, Said bin Hamdoon Al-Harthy, Undersecretary for Ports and Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Transport and Communication (MOTC) said he was willing to raise the issue of US military use of the Port of Sohar again with the Omani Government. He also requested a prebrief on both International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) compliance visits and Port Integrated Vulnerability Assessments (PIVAs) visits for himself and other concerned agencies. He was open to a discussion on determining a suitable location for NAVCENT fuel stores in Oman. End Summary. ISPS and PIVA -------------- ¶2. (C) The Ambassador reiterated U.S. interest in conducting routine ISPS compliance visits and PIVA visits. Al-Harthy said we should expect a letter soon through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) granting permission to conduct these visits. However, he requested that we have a representative from each team come for a briefing prior to the visit to outline the purpose and process for each visit to the U/S, his team, and other impacted ministries in the Omani government. He thought that it was important to brief all relevant parties so that if there were a personnel change within the GOO, we would not run into a delay again. He was anxious to conduct these meetings soon, as evidenced by his mention that he would not be available to meet the week of May 10. [Note: Post will send a formal diplomatic note related to this meetings as soon as dates are obtained from the two assessment teams and confirmed by phone with al-Harthy. End Note.] Al-Harthy asked if the assessments could be combined, but seemed to accept the Ambassador's explanation that the purpose of each visit is different and, thus, it would be easier and less complex to conduct them separately. DoD Fuel Depot -------------- ¶3. (C) The Ambassador described DESC's desire to move fuel stores to a depot in Salalah for use in refueling ships and jet fuel stores in the region. While acknowledging that Duqm might be a better fit for the Omani plan, the Ambassador said that DoD would prefer Salalah due to security concerns. Al-Harthy requested that we fax a copy of the diplomatic note submitted on this topic to his office and then follow-up with him after he had read the note. [Note: The diplomatic note was faxed on April 26. End Note.] He agreed with the Ambassador that the most appropriate next step would be for USG specialists to meet with Omani Government specialists to determine whether Salalah or Duqm would be a more suitable location for this project. He also confirmed that the Omani government would be involved in the approval and planning of this project, even if it was done under commercial auspices. Al-Harthy again emphasized that work on the Duqm port is progressing (ref A) and noted that work on the Duqm airport will begin "very soon." Military Use of Sohar Port -------------- ¶4. (C) Al-Harthy seemed familiar with both proposals to use Sohar: for temporary storage of equipment destined for Afghanistan and also for receiving/shipping WRM equipment enroute to al-Musana'a. The Ambassador emphasized that the USG had assumed that it would use the port at Sohar as a transit point for al-Musana'a. After a discussion, al-Harthy agreed to raise both issues again with the appropriate individuals. However, while not communicating a clear ban as we heard from the Ministry of Defense last week (ref B), al-Harthy expressed several concerns about military activity at the port, at least in the near future. He outlined the issue Sohar is currently experiencing with traffic in and out of the port and acknowledged that the GOO has had to use military style bridges to put in temporary roads to relieve congestion. He emphasized the growing pains the port was experiencing with commercial activity, including continued dredging and new companies working in the special economic zone. Interest in US Port Security -------------- ¶5. (C) Al-Harthy asked which US agency managed port security in the US. The Ambassador suggested he might want to visit the US and look at our port security arrangements, which al-Harthy was interested in pursuing. ¶6. (C) Comment: It is unclear if al-Harthy's softer stance on Sohar shows flexibility in the GOO views, or if he is just unwilling to communicate a negative message directly. In both this and our previous meeting with him (ref A),he presented a picture of Sohar being overwhelmed with current demands and unable to absorb military requests. However, his desire to establish mutually agreeable dates prior to sending in the diplomatic note on the pre-briefs indicates the government may finally be serious about moving forward on both PIVA and ISPS visits. Al-Harthy now appears to be the best point of contact for a discussion on a fuel depot, but further information from NAVCENT/CENTCOM is necessary to determine the best way forward. End Comment. GRAPPO