US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT1255

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 001255 
 
 
STATE FOR NEA, NEA/ARPI, NP/MNA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2015 
TAGS: PREL, KNNP, MNUC, IR, MU 
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS CAUTIOUS ON IRAN 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard L. Baltimore III. 
Reason: 1.4 (b, d). 
 
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Summary 
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1. (C) Though Iran's new president is still largely an 
unknown quantity in Oman, two Foreign Ministry officials 
suggested that his recent provocative statements on resuming 
uranium conversion are more likely political bluster than 
actual policy.  They preached engagement with Iran as the 
best way to support liberal elements there.  While assuring 
that the Ministry is following Iranian developments closely, 
they were not aware of any imminent plans to send an official 
delegation to Tehran.  Disturbed at the notion that Oman's 
delicate relations with Iran might be buffeted by 
international currents, they sidestepped the question of 
whether the nuclear issue might be added to the agenda of the 
postponed Arab League summit.  End summary. 
 
2. (C) In an August 10 courtesy call on two Foreign Ministry 
officials, Pol Chief and visiting NEA/ARPI Oman desk 
officer-designate briefly discussed Omani views on Iran's 
current nuclear stand-off with the IAEA.  The Under 
Secretary's Political Affairs Director Humaid al-Maani and 
acting director for UN Affairs in the International 
Organizations Department Humud al-Towaiya voiced typical 
Omani caution and optimism in dealing with Iran.  (Note: The 
U.S.-educated al-Towaiya will soon be transferring to the 
Omani Embassy in Washington DC.  End note.) 
 
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No Change in Course Despite Unknown New President 
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3. (C) Repeating several times that Oman cannot change who 
its neighbors are, al-Maani downplayed recent provocative 
statements by Iranian President Ahmadinejad and urged taking 
a long-view perspective.  He felt the new president's 
pronouncements are largely directed at a domestic political 
audience rather than necessarily constituting a firm policy. 
While assuring that the Ministry's Arab Affairs Department 
was monitoring Iran closely, he indicated that no high-level 
delegations were in the works to call on the new Iranian 
government, as far as he knew, but said ongoing working-level 
contacts on security issues between the two states would not 
be affected.  Al-Maani suggested that perceptions of foreign 
threats against Iran may have contributed to the poor showing 
of reformist forces in the recent elections, and still held 
out hope that the best way to encourage liberal elements in 
Iran is through engagement. 
 
4. (C) Al-Towaiya offered his personal assessment that the 
Ministry had not yet formulated its attitude on any possible 
stand-off between Iran and the IAEA.  He echoed his colleague 
in saying, however, that Ahmadinejad's public statements are 
more likely posturing rather than policy. 
 
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Editorial Links Iran File to AL Summit 
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5. (C) The lead editorial in the government-owned Arabic 
daily "Oman" on August 9 referred to U.S. threats to refer 
Iran to the UN Security Council as being among the "hot 
topics" that, as Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs 
Yusuf bin Alawi told the press in Cairo on August 7 (septel), 
make the timing of the postponed Arab League summit so 
important.  Asked if the editorial was any indication that 
the minister proposes adding the Iran issue to the AL summit 
agenda, al-Towaiya sidestepped by saying the final summit 
agenda will be settled behind closed doors.  (Note: Editorial 
aside, we have seen no quotes from the Minister linking Iran 
to the AL summit agenda.  End note.) 
 
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Comment 
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6. (C) Our interlocutors did not deny that Ahmadinejad is an 
unknown quantity to the Ministry, which had assumed well 
before the Iranian elections that former president Rafsanjani 
-- with whom Omani officials have had extensive 
dealings--would likely win. 
 
 
BALTIMORE