OMAN ONLINE: VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY, VISAS, INCREASED GAS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 002142

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO SOCI MU EAC
SUBJECT: OMAN ONLINE: VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY, VISAS, INCREASED GAS
PRICES, AND UNEMPLOYMENT


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:


--- Cheney Stopover In Oman
--- Visas Post September 11th
--- Increase in Cooking Gas Prices
--- Growing Unemployment in Oman

End summary.

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Cheney Stopover Frustrates Some
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2. Upon reading a posting of Vice President Cheney's presence in
Oman, one Al-Sablah member reacted angrily stating: "We do not
welcome this criminal and liar into our country, why is he here?"
Some members speculated on the reason for his landing in Oman and
stated: "Perhaps he is coming to clarify the policies of the Bush
Administration for the GCC countries." Other members suggested:
"He is traveling as a businessman to check on Halliburton's
contracts in Oman. That's why there was no formal announcement
of his arrival." Some participants were frustrated that they were
not able to protest the Vice President's stopover in Oman,
saying: "Usually, when U.S. officials visit European or Western
countries, people demonstrate against American policies.
However, these officials come to Oman, entertain themselves, and
have fun on our beaches without even a word of protest from us!
We should do more to express our views to these officials in the
future."

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Getting A Visa Post September 11th
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3. An Al-Sablah member living in a remote region of Oman posed
the following questions: "I have a question for everyone who has
applied for a U.S. student or tourist visa since September 11,
2001: how long does it take to receive a visa, and how can I be
sure to get one?" Some forum members -- who had never been to
the United States -- wrote back, "We heard that things got
complicated after September 11, and that it can take months to
obtain a visa. If you are a student, and you fail to register at
a U.S. port of entry, you might face deportation and could
potentially be prohibited from entering the U.S. or ever
obtaining a visa again." However, many responses portrayed the
visa process in a positive light. One recent visa applicant
noted, "I got the visa after only two hours in the Embassy, and
it is valid for five years. My friend also got a visa, and she
was able to bring her infant to the interview which made it more
convenient for her to come to the Embassy." The same writer went
on to describe the visa process in more detail: "There is no
guaranteed strategy for receiving a visa, because the decision
depends on the judgment of the interviewing officer, who must
determine the eligibility of the applicant." Another contributor
advised, "Being prepared with all your documents can save you a
lot of time and frustration when dealing with U.S. airport
officials."

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Cooking Gas Prices And Tempers Are Going Up
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4. The increase in the cost of cooking gas in Oman is another hot
topic in Al-Sablah, with one member asking: "Who is responsible
for these price increases. As far as I know, Oman is one of the
countries that has a gas reserve?" Other members commented that:
"The increase is hurting a lot of people and the regular people
are the only ones who suffer from these price increases." Some
participants emphatically demanded an explanation by the
government on this issue, and one Al-Sablah member attempted to
provide an answer by saying: "The reason for the increase is that
the main refinery is undergoing maintenance and has temporarily
closed down, so the production of gas is taking place in another
refinery which may be more expensive to operate." Other
frustrated participants rejected this explanation and said: "This
is another trick to abuse the citizens and an attempt to take
more of our money and we won't tolerate it." Some members even
went so far as to call for a demonstration in front of the
Sultan's palace and wrote: "If he knows what is going on, then we
will urge him to do something about it, and if he does not know
what is going on, then we will inform him."

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Growing Unemployment, Growing Concerns
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5. Earlier this year the Diwan announced the creation of 700 new
government jobs, and a subsequent application and interview
process. Recently, a local Omani newspaper announced that the
Diwan was ready to interview the first of three batches of 15,000
eligible applicants for these positions. This announcement
sparked a discussion on the unemployment situation in Oman. One
Al-Sablah member stated: "According to some official sources
there are more than 75,000 jobseekers in Oman, of which only
45,000 will be interviewed by the Diwan for a meager 700
positions. This certainly indicates that there is growing
unemployment in Oman." Another member added saying: "The
unemployment rate in Oman is steadily growing but instead of
doing something about it the government only tries to hide it."
Another member concluded saying: "The Omani Chamber of Commerce
should take more responsibility for the growing unemployment
rate, because it has failed to implement a successful economic
plan in this country."

BALTIMORE