Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MUSCAT518
2006-04-04 04:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

NEW HERITAGE UNDERSECRETARY BRINGS PASSION, NEW IDEAS

Tags:  MU NOTAG 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS MUSCAT 000518 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR INR/B, NEA/ARPI, AND NEA/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS:
SUBJECT: NEW HERITAGE UNDERSECRETARY BRINGS PASSION, NEW IDEAS

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000518

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR INR/B, NEA/ARPI, AND NEA/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS:
SUBJECT: NEW HERITAGE UNDERSECRETARY BRINGS PASSION, NEW IDEAS


1. Summary: Oman's newly appointed Undersecretary for Heritage
at the Ministry of Heritage and Culture is a dynamic, American-
educated leader with a strong entrepreneurial bent and a
refreshingly informal approach. His eagerness to promote change
- especially by integrating international-standard approaches to
the management and exploitation of Oman's historic sites -
presents the Embassy with an excellent opportunity for
engagement. End summary.

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MAKING OMAN "REMARKABLE"
--------------


2. Sultan bin Hamdun bin Saif al-Harthi was appointed
Undersecretary for Heritage at the Ministry of Heritage and
Culture on March 20. During a March 29 introductory call, al-
Harthi told the DCM and PAO about ambitious plans to breathe new
life into his ministry. With Muscat as the "2006 Arab Cultural
Capital of the World," he admitted his task would not be easy,
but he relished the challenge and was passionate about his new
approach. "I told them (when offered the job) not to expect a
normal undersecretary." He said that one of his goals is to
"make heritage sexy," seeking not only to protect Oman's natural
history and heritage, but to make it more accessible to the
public. Al-Harthy said he was keen on linking Omani heritage
sites more closely with travel and tourism, looking to U.S.
models to develop commercial opportunities in connection with the
many museums, historic sites, and other assets under his
direction.





3. Al-Harthy understands the challenges in establishing Omani
heritage sites as international travel destinations, and sees
partnerships with the U.S. as furthering the goal of "making Oman
remarkable." He expressed strong interest in working with the
Embassy to develop professional expertise within the Ministry and
in creating partner relationships with U.S. organizations. He
was particularly interested in exchange programs, including the
Humphrey Fellowships, Voluntary Visitors; and in the Ambassador's
Fund for Cultural Preservation.

--------------
Shaped by U.S. Experience
--------------


4. Bio Note: In his late thirties/early forties, al-Harthy
underscored the profound impact his nine years as an
undergraduate and graduate student in the U.S. had on his
personal and professional development. He is lively and
informal, articulate and cultured, drawing comfortably on a range
of references from MTV to astronomy. An architect by training,
he holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in design and planning
from the University of Arizona (Tucson). He arrived in the U.S.
slated for a pre-med program and initially studied at the
University of Missouri (Kansas City) before switching to
architecture at Tucson; his studies were fully funded by the
Government of Oman.


5. Bio Note continued: Al-Harthy spoke positively of the deep
influence that American culture - from the Peace Corps teachers
he encountered as a young student to his ongoing relationships
with academic friends and contacts in the U.S. - has had on his
life and thinking. After returning to Oman, he considered
opening his own design firm, but instead (as required of those
benefiting from state-sponsored education abroad) took a
government position, most recently serving as Secretary General
of the Tender Board (2002-2006) and earlier as Director of Town
Planning and Survey at the Ministry of Housing, Electricity, and
Water. He is involved in projects aimed at promoting
entrepreneurship and youth development in the country, including
SANAD, the government program that gives seed-capital to young
businesspeople. He is also a founding member of the Oman branch
of the Young Arab Leaders program.

GRAPPO