OMAN ONLINE: TOPICS IN FREEDOM

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 002094

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP (TROBERTS),NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY),NEA/P
(FFINVER),IIP/G/NEA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO SOCI MU
SUBJECT: OMAN ONLINE: TOPICS IN FREEDOM



1. Summary: The Omani Internet chat room "Sablat al-Arab" -- or
simply "Al-Sablah" -- is the liveliest and most comprehensive
Arabic-language forum for political and social discourse in the
country, touching on issues and personalities rarely addressed in
the conventional media. While not totally free, nor wholly
reflective of Omani public opinion, Al-Sablah nevertheless offers
a worthwhile window into the hot topics and unvarnished views of
the day. This edition of Oman Online contains the following
topics:

--- Proposed Free Trade Agreement Between The U.S. And Oman
--- Freedom Of The Press
--- New Oman Journalists' Association

End summary.

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Freedom To Trade
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2. The proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United
States and the Sultanate of Oman generated a large number of
postings among Al-Sablah members, particularly with regards to
its potential effect on the economic condition of Omani citizens.
A few commentators viewed the FTA in a favorable light; one
observed, "America did not select these countries [FTA partners]
randomly. Rather, there were certain criteria for joining an
FTA, such as security, stability, potential tourism, and
political harmony with neighboring countries." Another FTA
supporter noted, "America seeks to encourage vibrant economic
competition within the Gulf, and this competition could lead an
economic revival."


3. However, the majority of responses viewed the FTA with
suspicion and skepticism. "We do not believe that America wants
to improve the lives of GCC citizens. The whole agreement is
nothing more than propaganda, designed to further open foreign
markets for American products," wrote one member. Opined
another, "These agreements only serve to ensure America's
presence in the region." Another asked, "How will Oman benefit
from this agreement? Are we going to export our products to the
United States? Do the Americans need Omani products, and vice-
versa?" One of the more impassioned responses read, "This
agreement is killing our dignity, and we do not support or desire
any partnership with people who are killing our brothers in Iraq
and Palestine. Why don't the Arab countries unite to create a
huge economic entity, which could overcome the abuses of
foreigners?"

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Freedom Of Speech
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4. Another hot topic in Al-Sablah concerned freedom of the press
in Oman, related to recent rumors about the government's supposed
"ban" on two Omani writers from publishing or appearing on
television. The author of the topic wrote, "The Sultan issued a
royal decree allowing the establishment of private media outlets,
but what does the law really say? Does it give us more freedom
to say and write what we feel? Is this freedom actually
practiced, or is it merely ink on paper?"


5. Nearly all the responses doubted the existence of genuine
media freedom. One contributor claimed, "The laws concerning the
media have not really changed for the past twenty years. The
only reason we are talking about this is because of the scandal
concerning the banning of the two Omani writers, and we had to
learn about the ban from regional newspapers!" One hopeful
member opined that "The new law might make us able to criticize
the defects of the Majlis Al-Shura (Consultative Council) and
Majlis Al-Dawla (State Council)," but most respondents agreed
with the writer who penned, "The situation will never change in
Oman until the people running this country have been changed from
top to bottom."

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Freedom To Assemble
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6. On a related note, Al-Sablah members also reacted to the news
that the Ministry of Social Development officially approved the
registration of the new Oman Journalists' Association. Many
forum participants questioned the role of such an association,
fearing the heavy hand of the government. "It is going to be run
by the government since we have heard that the Board of Directors
will be appointed by the Ministry of Information," wrote one
member. Another argued, "There will not be any difference
between the Association and the Ministry of Information; indeed,
the Association will be a continuation of it." Other members
questioned the Association's relationship with the extant Press
Club, which is part of the Ministry of Information. Moreover,
some forum members felt that membership in the Association will
be restricted: "The Association should be a private, non-profit
organization for all writers and journalists. However, if you
want to join the Association, you must obtain permission from the
Ministry of Information. How is that free?"

BALTIMORE