Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MUSCAT1140
2007-12-29 14:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

OMANI GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS BHUTTO ASSASSINATION

Tags:  PREL PINR PTER SHUM MU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMS #1140 3631408
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 291408Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9094
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0303
UNCLAS MUSCAT 001140 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINR PTER SHUM MU
SUBJECT: OMANI GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS BHUTTO ASSASSINATION


UNCLAS MUSCAT 001140

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINR PTER SHUM MU
SUBJECT: OMANI GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS BHUTTO ASSASSINATION



1. (U) On December 27, Oman's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
issued a public statement condemning the assassination of
Benazir Bhutto. Characterizing the act as "brutal" and
"criminal," the government expressed its "deep sympathy and
condolences" to Bhutto's family and the Pakistani people.
The Ministry called on Pakistan's leaders to put their
differences aside in efforts to achieve "security, stability,
and development for the brotherly Pakistani nation."
Separately, the Sultan sent a condolence message to Pervez
Musharraf, expressing his sympathy to the president, the
Pakistani people, and Bhutto's family.


2. (U) The reporting of Bhutto's assassination in the Omani
press has been extensive and generally drawn from media
outlets such as Reuters and AFP. No editorial content has
appeared on the assassination to date. Approximately 50
posts have been recorded on al-Sablah, Oman's Arabic internet
chat site, with most responses praising Bhutto and accusing
the Pakistani government of being complicit in the
assassination. English-language fora have all contained
discussion of the event, generally condemning it and the
subsequent violence.
GRAPPO