| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC June 3, 2008 U.S.-Oman Gulf Security DialogueActing Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs Stephen D. Mull, Assistant Secretary of Defense Mary Beth Long, and Omani Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi co-chaired the fourth round of the United States-Oman Gulf Security Dialogue (GSD) on May 27, 2008. The fourth round of talks reflected the mutual U.S.-Oman commitment to regional security and cooperation affecting the Gulf region. Both delegations expressed appreciation for their in-depth discussion of Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, terrorism, weapons proliferation, and other issues. During their meetings, Assistant Secretaries Mull and Long reiterated that the Gulf Security Dialogue provides a firm example of President Bush’s State of the Union pledge that we will "…stand by our allies, and we will defend our vital interests in the Persian Gulf." Both the U.S. and Oman re-affirmed their respective commitments to the long-standing U.S.-Oman strategic relationship and to continued cooperation against emerging threats. Both sides pledged to continue working toward the shared goal of a unified, democratic, and stable Iraq at peace with its neighbors and itself. They also welcomed the election of a new Lebanese president, and reiterated the importance of full regional support for Arab-Israeli peace efforts. The United States and Oman agreed to continue their robust cooperation on counterproliferation and counterterrorism issues. The United States welcomed Oman’s participation in the Proliferation Security Initiative fifth anniversary meetings. Both delegations expressed their deep satisfaction with this fourth round of their GSD, and they look forward to continuing this important dialogue between the two countries. The last meeting of the GSD with Oman was held in October 2007 in Muscat, and the next meeting will take place in Muscat later this year. 2008/454 |
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