FONMIN ON REGIONAL ISSUES, STRIKES DOMESTIC CHORD

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 001051

SIPDIS

STATE PASS USTR (JBUNTIN)

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER SOCI KISL ETRD OPRC XF MU
SUBJECT: FONMIN ON REGIONAL ISSUES, STRIKES DOMESTIC CHORD


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SUMMARY
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1. (SBU) Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin
Alawi gave a wide-ranging interview to a UAE-based newspaper
in late-June that garnered an unusual reaction. Speaking on
foreign policy issues, the Minister defended USG support for
Palestine and security efforts in Iraq, as well as U.S.-Oman
negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement. He gave an anodyne
comment on Iran's elections, voiced concerns about "reform"
in the Middle East, and reiterated Oman's support for
developing countries. Asked about the Sultan's recent
pardon of 31 convicted Ibadhi extremists, however, the
Minister dismissed as "media exaggerations" the government's
charge that they sought to overthrow the government.
Popular reactions seized upon the apparent discrepancy to
further criticize the secret services' handling of the case,
and heaped praise on the Minister for his wisdom. End
summary.


2. (SBU) In an unusual move, Minister Responsible for
Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi gave a full-page interview
published in the June 26 edition of Dubai-based Arabic daily
"Al Bayan." Despite leading questions intended to evoke
criticisms, the Minister's references to the U.S. were
largely laudatory, though he voiced caution over calls for
reform.

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Iraq
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3. (U) Responding to a question implying sole U.S.
responsibility for insecurity in Iraq, YBA said the security
situation in Iraq is everybody's responsibility, the allied
forces and the Iraqis. He added that the international
military presence in Iraq is covered under a UN Security
Council Resolution and that the U.S. realizes that. He
described the U.S. and Coalition aim as "transforming Iraq
to a sovereign constitutional state, with an elected
parliament; after achieving this, Iraq will be a fully
legitimate and sovereign state."

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Free Trade Agreement
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4. (U) The Minister rejected the suggestion of disagreement
among GCC members about engaging in bilateral FTA
negotiations with the U.S. He stressed that the U.S. did
not impose its policies on the GCC countries, and assured
that "FTA will not harm any party."

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Middle East Peace
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5. (U) Bin Alawi struck a positive tone on the peace
process. "There has been a significant positive change in
the political arena in Palestine. As a result, the American
view to the Palestinian cause is now more positive. In
addition, the EU is holding talks with different Palestinian
factions including Hamas." In an apparent allusion to
groups such as Hamas, YBA opined that the "view towards what
is seen now as terrorist groups could change in the future
similar to what happened with the U.S. and the PLO."
Regarding Lebanon and Syria, the Minister said that the
death of Rafik Hariri was a great loss, but hopefully
predicted that Lebanese political parties "will be able to
work out their differences." The Syrian government, he
believes, is trying to move towards change, "but change
requires the effort of the people of Syria, is not easy, and
it will not happen overnight." He added that rushing change
is not practical.

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Iranian Elections
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6. (U) The Minister said, "Regardless of who is in power in
Iran, there are common interests between the GCC and Iran,
so it's important that we organize these interests. (W)e
are neighbors; relations have been generally stable despite
minor disagreements."

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"Reform" in the Middle East
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7. (SBU) Reiterating one of his favorite talking points, Bin
Alawi stated, "We do not use the word "reform" because in
Arabic it is associated with corruption. We use
"development" and "modernization" (Arabic: tahdith and
tatweer). But this does not mean we are against the
concept. Using the word "reform" is a common language
error, and it is not used in the Sultanate." He added, "The
West's insistence on imposing reform could lead to civil
wars." (Note: Illustrating the slant of the newspaper, this
lone critical comment was used as the headline for the
interview. End note.)

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Non-Aligned Movement
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8. (U) YBA called the mid-June G-77 summit in Doha a
success, noting that counties from the north and the south
were able to exchange views and try to resolve differences.
He also stated that, "As a part of GCC, Oman will contribute
to the Economic Fund for the South proposed by the Emir (of
Qatar)." When asked why he did not attend the summit, he
replied he was attending a wedding in Salalah. (The MFA
Under Secretary represented Oman.)

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Remarks on Pardons Earns Popular Kudos
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9. (SBU) Asked about the danger posed by the 31 alleged
Ibadhi extremists sentenced in May for forming a secret
organization and plotting to overthrow the government, the
Minister said the Sultan's pardon in June of the convicts
was the right thing to do, taking in to account the tolerant
nature of the Omani culture. Noting that members of the
banned secret organization confessed their guilt, Bin Alawi
reminded that pardons are an established government
practice. He also stated that popular sympathy for the
convicted persons stemmed from the fact that "Oman is a
tribal society." Departing from Omani government statements
during the arrest and trial of the accused, the Minister
added, "The issue is not related at all to attempting to
overthrow the government. The media has exaggerated. They
were a group of Ibadhis with extreme views aiming to
preserve their sect." He added that the pardons do not mean
that the former members of the organization can reconstitute
it.


10. (SBU) Denizens of the popular Omani Internet message
board "Al Sablah" were quick to heap effusive praise on the
Minister's comments regarding the pardons. Contributors
interpreted Bin Alawi's characterization of the secret
organization as a sign of disagreement between senior
political and security officials about the arrests. The
overwhelming majority of the respondents termed Bin Alawi's
more innocuous characterization of the arrestees as the more
accurate description of the secret organization.
Participants renewed criticism of the Omani security
services for their actions, anticipating personnel changes
as a result. Having earned popular good will with his
comments on the pardons, responses largely praised his
temperate comments on foreign policy issues as "diplomatic
and wise."