OMAN'S PLANS TO ASSOCIATE WITH COPENHAGEN

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000101 SENSITIVE, SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV ENRG PREL MU SUBJECT: OMAN'S PLANS TO ASSOCIATE WITH COPENHAGEN ¶1. (SBU) On February 10 the Ambassador inquired from Sayyid Badr, the MFA Secretary General, whether Oman plans to accede to the Copenhagen Accord. Badr answered that Oman was drafting a letter to the UN Secretary General that would say "We welcome the accord and are doing our best in enacting policies in this regard. We look forward to the next conference and international agreement." In a January 24 meeting with the DCM, Badr also indicated that Oman is likely to accede to Copenhagen. ¶2. (SBU) Additionally, EconOff raised the issue of the Copenhagen Accord with Ibrahim Al Ajmi, the Director General of Climate Change at the Ministry for Environment and Climate on February 9. Al Ajmi said that Oman, in principle, agrees with Copenhagen. However before accession is possible Oman must complete internal consultation and discussions. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT: The Government of Oman carefully considers any international agreement before acceding. Once it accedes, it thoroughly honors its commitment. Therefore, although Oman remains likely to accede, it will almost certainly do so only after it has a plan to implement the commitments required by Copenhagen. END COMMENT. Schmierer