EXBS: OMAN MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE FOR MAY 2009

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000601 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL MASS MNUC KNNP KSTC ETTC MU SUBJECT: EXBS: OMAN MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE FOR MAY 2009 REF: 09 STATE 45674; 09 STATE 44996; 09 STATE 46221 BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS ¶1. (SBU) None. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD ¶2. (SBU) On May 11, the EXBS Advisor drafted a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs inviting three Omani officials to the 10th International Export Control Conference scheduled to take place in Istanbul from June 25-27 (ref A). ¶3. (SBU) On May 12, the EXBS Advisor drafted a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting the Government of Oman to subscribe to the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (ref B). ¶4. (SBU) On May 13, the EXBS Program Assistant drafted a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs inviting two Omani officials to attend the International Safeguards Training Opportunity for the Middle East to be held in the United States from July 12 to August 7, 2009 (ref C). MEETINGS DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD ¶5. (SBU) On May 19, the EXBS Advisor discussed the 10th Annual Export Control Conference scheduled to take place in Istanbul from July 25-27, 2009 with First Secretary Yaqub al-Ruqaishi, Director of the Disarmament & Arms Control Office, International Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Al-Ruqaishi stated that he hoped to provide the names of three attendees for this conference. ¶6. (SBU) On May 19, the EXBS Advisor spoke with Brigadier Issa al-Kiyumi, ROP Customs regarding his proposed trip to the U.S. Al-Kiyumi indicated that he was very busy, but hoped that he would be able to travel in October. TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD ¶7. (SBU) The EXBS Advisor and EXBS Program Assistant attended WMD Awareness Training on May 17. The WMD session provided an overview of the WMD countermeasures program and covered the threat of chemical and biological agents, radiological materials, as well as the self-protective measures that can be taken in the event of a WMD attack. Familiarization training was also provided for the SCAPE CBRN30 and the Antidote Nerve Agent Autoinjector (ATNAA). EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD ¶8. (SBU) None. IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS REPORT ¶9. (SBU) Four ICS-4000 Radionuclide Identifiers have been received. This equipment will be donated by EXBS to the Director General, ROP Customs at an appropriate ceremony. ¶10. (SBU) The EXBS Advisor has proposed an International Border Interdiction Training (IBIT II) to take place in Sohar, Oman from July 25-29. ¶11. (SBU) The EXBS Advisor has proposed a three day Model Export Law Training Workshop to the Director of the Disarmament & Arms Control Office, International Affairs Department, Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The workshop is planned for October, 2009. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR RELATED BORDER SECURITY ¶12. (SBU) Nothing to report. PORTAL MONITOR ALERTS ¶13. (SBU) Nothing to report. RED FLAG ISSUES ¶14. (SBU) Nothing to report. POINT OF CONTACT HURTADO