SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: PRAISE FOR THE PARDONS

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000950

SIPDIS

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SUBJECT: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: PRAISE FOR THE PARDONS

REF: MUSCAT 931


1. Summary: All of Oman's major daily newspapers carried front-
page coverage of the June 9 decree by Sultan Qaboos pardoning the
thirty-one Ibadhi Muslims convicted last month of belonging to a
secret organization and seeking to overthrow the state. The

SIPDIS
newspapers universally lauded the Sultan for his decision, and
published interviews with prominent officials including the Grand
Mufti, the Deputy Prime Minister, and various local walis
(governors). Selected translations appear below. End summary.

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Generous
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2. The government-owned Arabic-language daily "Oman" ran a front-
page editorial on June 10 entitled "Generosity Originates From
Generous People":

"When the citizens view these pardons in an objective and logical
manner, they will acknowledge that His Majesty Sultan Qaboos
displayed the qualities of leadership, forgiveness, and mercy.
He is a role model for this great country. At the end of the
day, every citizen in Oman must remember the accomplishments of
the last three decades, and steer away from wrong actions that
serve no purpose. The people of this country thank their father,
and pray to God for his protection."

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Humane
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3. The privately-owned Arabic-language daily "al-Watan" issued an
editorial on June 11 under the headline "The Humanity Of Omani
Policy":

"We can learn many lessons from the Sultan's wise pardons, not
least of which is the fact that Oman's senior leadership embraces
similar political thinking. For example, Deputy Prime Minister
Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al-Said provided additional clarity to
the reasoning behind the Sultan's amnesty. He assured the
country that the pardons are clear proof of the ability of the
Omani leadership to forgive human foibles, despite the gravity of
the offenses committed. These pardons represent opportunities to
atone for mistakes, and to work honestly and loyally with the
rest of society to advance Oman's development."

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Noble
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4. "Al-Shabiba," a privately-owned Arabic-language daily aimed
primarily at youth audiences, ran a front-page article on June 11
entitled "A Good Correction of Mistakes":

"We thank the Sultan for his noble decision. As pointed out by
Shaykh Ahmed al-Khalili, the Grand Mufti of the Sultanate of
Oman, anyone can make a mistake, but forgiveness should
characterize our response. He also urged the youth of Oman to
follow the correct teachings of Islam, so as not to repeat these
mistakes in the future."

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Wise
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5. Also on June 11, the front page of "Oman" featured an
editorial entitled "The Wisdom of Forgiveness":

"The Sultan's pardon came faster than expected; many thought it
would come during the 35th National Day celebrations in November.
Not only the families of the convicted, but also all the people
of Oman felt joy at this event, which reaffirmed the ability of
the Omani soul to forgive and move forward. Oman started its
journey in the 1970s with forgiveness, and instances of violence
were always countered by the wisdom of H.M. Sultan Qaboos.
Congratulations to all the households in Oman, for their sons
have returned home."

BALTIMORE