US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT696

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Identifier:	05MUSCAT696
Wikileaks:	View 05MUSCAT696 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Muscat
Created:	2005-04-27 13:16:00
Classification:	SECRET
Tags:	ETTC PARM PREL IR MU International Relations
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

S E C R E T MUSCAT 000696 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NP/CBM, EUR/PRA, NEA/ARPI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2015 
TAGS: ETTC, PARM, PREL, IR, MU, International Relations 
SUBJECT: UPDATE: PSI - GERMAN CRANE SHIPMENT 
 
REF: A. MUSCAT 687 AND PREVIOUS 
     B. WICKES-DURHAM E-MAIL 4/27/05 
     C. STATE 75880 AND PREVIOUS 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard L. Baltimore III. 
Reason: 1.4 (b, d, h). 
 
1. (S) As forecast in ref A, the German Ambassador in Muscat 
received no instructions from Berlin overnight nor any during 
the working day on April 27 regarding the German crane 
shipment bound for Iran (ref C).  The German Embassy duty 
officer informed Pol Chief that they will monitor 
communications over the local weekend (Thurs-Fri) for any 
instructions and keep us informed.  (Note: Ref B suggests, 
however, that no instructions to take action are likely to 
emanate from Berlin.  End note.) 
 
2. (S) Per ref C, in the absence of German Embassy action, 
the Ambassador canceled a provisional appointment with the 
Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs for April 27. 
 
3. (S) Comment: The Omani government is now officially closed 
for business until April 30.  It appears that the vessel 
transporting the German cranes will arrive and depart Muscat 
on April 28.  Should any last-minute effort be made to 
interdict the delivery of the cranes, it is highly unlikely 
that the Omani government would be capable or willing to take 
decisive action given those circumstances and the fact that 
it has already rebuffed a previous German request.  In our 
view, only direct intercession with the shipping company is 
likely to bear fruit at this late stage. 
BALTIMORE