OMAN ONLINE: TOURISM IN OMAN AND SECRECY IN TRIAL OF

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000618

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO SCUL SOCI MU
SUBJECT: OMAN ONLINE: TOURISM IN OMAN AND SECRECY IN TRIAL OF
ARRESTEES



1. Summary: The Omani Internet chat rooms "al-Sablah" and "al-
Majarra" are the liveliest and most comprehensive Arabic-language
fora 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, these popular sites nevertheless offer a
worthwhile window into the hot topics and unvarnished views of
the day. This edition of Oman Online contains the following
topics:

-- Is tourism a good thing?
-- Lack of legal representation for arrestees

End summary.

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Tourism Wins Out
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2. Media coverage of several recent high profile projects to
promote tourism in Oman led al-Sablah subscribers to launch an
informal poll of the chat room's membership on the benefits and
disadvantages of tourism. 89 subscribers participated in the
poll and 52 of them agreed with the statement, "Tourism will
greatly benefit Oman's economy." 37 participants disagreed with
the statement. One pro-tourism subscriber wrote, "Tourism is an
excellent way to improve the economy because it produces a lot of
jobs." A more pessimistic participant commented, "Tourism will
expose our society to other cultures that have values and
traditions different from our own. This will lead to behavior
that goes against Islam, such as the use of alcohol, immoral ways
of dressing, and strange ideas that will negatively influence our
young people."

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Lawyers for Detainees
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3. Al-Sablah subscribers continue to discuss the detention of
scholars, tribal shaykhs, and others accused of forming an
illegal association and threatening national security. Several
participants in the chat room confirmed that the families of most
of the detainees were able to find lawyers to defend them.
However, one member commented, "The Attorney General has banned
the attorneys for the detainees from discussing the details of
the case." Several participants complained, "This is prohibition
violates the constitution and human rights." Others wrote, "The
international community should send inspectors to monitor the
trials to ensure that justice is served."

STEWART