SURVEY TEAM FOR ALTERNATIVE TO MANAS

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000417 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/05/10 TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS KG MU SUBJECT: SURVEY TEAM FOR ALTERNATIVE TO MANAS REF: MUSCAT 303 CLASSIFIED BY: Gary A. Grappo, Ambassador, Department of State, Embassy Muscat; REASON: 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (U) This message contains an action request. See paragraph 5. ¶2. (S) The Embassy received May 10 official permission from the Omani Government for a U.S. Air Force survey team visit to the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) base on Masirah Island to evaluate its potential use as a replacement facility for transloading operations currently performed at Manas. This response came in response to intensive Embassy engagement with the Omani government. We emphasize that the permission is for a survey at Masirah only/only. ¶2. (S) While acceptance of the site survey is an important and positive first step, it does not guarantee the use of Masirah should the need for that option be confirmed. There are several factors that may influence a final decision. The Omanis have made clear to us that they prefer only U.S. forces be transloaded. They also have questions about the duration of the operations. Finally, our interlocutors have expressed concerns about runway conditions and the adequacy of water and power for hosting forces at Masirah; speculating that construction of a desalination plant, a power plant, and runway repairs might be necessary. This suggests that the price of using Masirah may be a permanent upgrade of the facilities there beyond that which is currently contemplated. ¶4. (S) Thus, the Omanis may not view the visit of the survey team in purely technical terms. Given the potential stakes, the Embassy recommends strongly that in addition to the technical survey work, the team should be prepared to brief senior Omani officials on U.S. plans in more detail. In this regard, post strongly recommends that the leader of the survey team be of sufficient seniority and expertise to enable discussion of the larger decision influencing factors and to speak knowledgeably to non-technical issues. ¶5. (S) Action request: Post understands that a survey trip is being planned for on or about May 18 and concurs. Post requests confirmation of visit plans and team composition soonest. GRAPPO