EXBS: OMAN MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE FOR JANUARY 2009

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000098 SENSITIVE SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL MASS MNUC KNNP KSTC ETTC MU SUBJECT: EXBS: OMAN MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE FOR JANUARY 2009 REF: a) STATE 114517 REF: STATE 114517 BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS ¶1. (SBU) None. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD ¶2. (SBU) Interviewed candidates for EXBS Assistant and made selection for position. MEETINGS DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD ¶3. (SBU) On January 11, the EXBS Advisor met with First Secretary Yaqub Al-Ruqaishi, Acting Director, Disarmament & Arms Control Office, International Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The EXBS Advisor and al-Ruqaishi discussed and finalized preparations for the Department of Energy (DOE)/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Workshop (reftel) scheduled for January 25-27 in Muscat. The EXBS Advisor also advised al-Ruqaishi Qe "Workshop on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540" which is now tentatively scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar in March, 2009. Al-Ruqaishi is very interested in attending this workshop. ¶4. (SBU) On January 14, the EXBS Advisor, Pol-Econ Officer, and two representatives from the DOE, Michael Bedke, Middle East Regional Manager for the Megaports Initiative, and Bruce Wallis, Project Manager for the Megaports Initiative, met with Royal Oman Police (ROP) Customs Training Officer Captain Abdullah al-Bulushi to discuss training opportunities. The Advisor discussed the upcoming Targeting and Risk Management training in Salalah scheduled to take place from January 17-21 and finalized logistical matters. The Advisor also discussed the International Border Interdiction Training (IBIT) tentatively planned for March 23-27 in McAllen, Texas. The DOE representatives discussed the possibility of providing a block of training in identification and interdiction techniques, including the use of VACIS and mobile radiation units, in the ROP curriculum for basic and advanced training at the ROP Academy in Nizwa. Al-Bulushi offered to accompany the Advisor to the ROP Academy to meet with the instructors and discuss modules for inclusion in its curriculum. TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD ¶5. (SBU) A Targeting and Risk Management training workshop was conducted for nineteen ROP Customs officials in Salalah from January 17-21. Lt. Colonel Hamed Salim Al-Mashiki opened the training and welcomed the Advisor and instructors. The training included the participation of the U.S. Coast Guard, both during the classroom instruction and the vessel search of the Maersk Kensington at the Port of Salalah on January 20. This was the first time that the U.S Coast Guard participated in overseas training jointly with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. ¶6. (SBU) A technical exchange workshop on nonproliferation and export controls for strategic commodities was conducted by NNSA representatives in Muscat from January 25-27 (reftel). The purpose of the exchange was to share experience and best practices related to export controls. The thirty-five attendees from the Omani government included representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of National Economy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Transport and Communication, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, the ROP, and the Ports of Sultan Qaboos, Salalah, and Sohar. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD ¶7. (SBU) Nothing to report. IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS REPORT ¶8. (SBU) A Regional Workshop on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540 is scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar from March 8-11. ¶9. (SBU) International Border Interdiction Training (IBIT) is tentatively scheduled for ROP Customs in McAllen, Texas for the week of March 23, 2009. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR RELATED BORDER SECURITY ¶10. (SBU) Nothing to report. PORTAL MONITOR ALERTS ¶11. (SBU) Nothing to report. RED FLAG ISSUES ¶12. (SBU) Nothing to report. POINT OF CONTACT GRAPPO To view the entire SMART message, go to URL http://repository.state.sgov.gov /_layouts/OSSSearchResults.aspx?k=messageid:4 86d3e75-2534-4411-87fc-4a386d86 241f