OMAN ONLINE: SECTARIAN STRIFE, MAHATHIR INTERVIEW

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000288 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, IIP/G/NEA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO SOCI MU SUBJECT: OMAN ONLINE: SECTARIAN STRIFE, MAHATHIR INTERVIEW ¶1. Summary: The Omani Internet message board "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, this popular site nevertheless offers a worthwhile window into the hot topics and unvarnished views of the day. This edition of Oman Online contains the following topics: -- Danger of Iraqi Civil War -- Potential for Sectarian Strife in Oman -- Mahathir Interview End summary. -------------- Danger of Iraqi Civil War -------------- ¶2. In the wake of the al-Askaria bombing and subsequent violence throughout Iraq, al-Sablah discussions wondered if Iraq is on the verge of civil war. Many members supported the statement that "The Shiites, supported by the Persians, are behind what is happening in Iraq. They want to fight every Iraqi who was a member of Ba'ath party." Yet there was also some agreement with the conspiratorial notion that "hidden hands cause ethnic and sectarian riots in order to divide the Iraqis among themselves and weaken their control over the country." Some members called for Saddam's return to power, writing that he "could control the country under a unified regime, and no one dared to provoke such conflicts." The topic generated 1374 hits and 43 responses." -------------- Potential for Sectarian Strife in Oman -------------- ¶3. Fifty al-Sablah participants discussed whether Oman is vulnerable to the same sort of sectarian dangers prevalent in Iraq. Forty percent believed that Oman is susceptible to sectarian and, in particular, tribal warfare. Yet most participants pointed out that Omani history has no parallel to the sectarian clashes that have rocked Iraq and Lebanon. Someone also cited the Omani government's role in protecting the practice of other faiths and ways of worship as a factor helping to ward off sectarianism. Members highlighted what they saw as the peaceful and logical mindset of Omanis, especially concerning issues of safety and national security. This topic generated 1,727 hits and 23 responses. -------------- Mahathir Interview -------------- ¶4. Al-Sablah participants lauded a recent interview with former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamed, in which he expressed strong anti-American sentiment. In his interview with Lebanon's "New TV," Mahathir called on Arab and Islamic countries to reduce their dependence on the U.S. dollar, saying that America uses its wealth for creating weapons to fight Islamic countries. Al-Sablah participants supported the statement that Mahathir "is a brave man, and we wish our governments would follow what he says." There was also much support for the statement that "we admire his personality, and no one can deny the progress and development that he has brought to his country." The topic generated 743 hits and 15 responses. BALTIMORE