Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MUSCAT638
2007-06-20 12:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

C-NE7-01141: OMAN MOVES FORWARD ON POST-CYCLONE

Tags:  AMER AMGT ASEC CASC KSAC KHLS MOPS PINR MU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0630
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMS #0638/01 1711246
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 201246Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8426
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEASRB/COMUSARCENT-CDRUSATHIRD FT MCPHERSON GA
RHMFISS/COMUSCENTAF SHAW AFB SC
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MUSCAT 000638 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2017
TAGS: AMER AMGT ASEC CASC KSAC KHLS MOPS PINR MU
SUBJECT: C-NE7-01141: OMAN MOVES FORWARD ON POST-CYCLONE
RECOVERY EFFORTS

REF: A. STATE 84648

B. MUSCAT 596

C. MUSCAT 590

D. MUSCAT 587

Classified By: CDA Alfred F. Fonteneau for Reasons 1.4 (b, d)

-------
SUMMARY
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MUSCAT 000638

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2017
TAGS: AMER AMGT ASEC CASC KSAC KHLS MOPS PINR MU
SUBJECT: C-NE7-01141: OMAN MOVES FORWARD ON POST-CYCLONE
RECOVERY EFFORTS

REF: A. STATE 84648

B. MUSCAT 596

C. MUSCAT 590

D. MUSCAT 587

Classified By: CDA Alfred F. Fonteneau for Reasons 1.4 (b, d)

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) The government of Oman is working diligently to
restore roads and public services impacted by tropical
cyclone Gonu. Notable progress has been achieved, but
thousands of individuals in the Muscat area alone remain
displaced and the cost of infrastructure damage is currently
estimated at over USD 2.5 billion. Most Omanis appear
relatively satisfied with the government's storm recovery
efforts; non-religious charities have supplemented
governmental assistance. The Sultan's continued absence from
the public eye has prompted much private talk, but has so far
not seriously eroded his popularity. End Summary.

--------------
RESTORING ROADS AND SERVICES
--------------


2. (U) The Omani government continues to make progress in
recovering from the devastation caused by tropical cyclone
Gonu. Emergency repair work has at least partially re-opened
15 damaged roads in greater Muscat, although three traffic
arteries (one in the Seeb district and two in the hard hit
Bausher/Ghubrah area) remain closed. Transportation links to
badly affected towns on the outskirts of the capital (ref C)
are also being restored, which has increased the delivery of
needed supplies to storm victims. According to the
government, electricity and water service is now available to
a large majority of Muscat area residents. Officials
specifically claim that 95% of the city's power grid is
functional, and that 57 million gallons of water is being
supplied daily to Muscat. More than 1,800 trucks have been
assigned to pump out standing water from the capital's
neighborhoods to reduce the risk of disease. Fresh milk,
bread and some other basic consumer items that were in short

supply are once again fully stocked on store shelves.


3. (SBU) Considerable repair and clean-up work remains,
however. Despite the government's efforts, some badly
flooded neighborhoods in and around Muscat still do not have
power or water. Officials reported that as of June 18, 3,150
individuals in the greater capital region remained in
government-provided shelters (mostly schools): 450 in the
Bausher/Ghubrah district, 400 in the Muttrah/Yeti area, and
2,300 in the outlying town of Qurayat. (Note: Many persons
who were forced to leave their homes are staying with friends
and relatives, rather than in shelters. End Note.)
Municipal trash pick-up service has resumed, but piles of
garbage are still noticeable even in well-heeled
neighborhoods, and hospitals continue to report cases of
intestinal-related illnesses amidst fears of contamination in
the water system. Hard-hit areas well outside the capital,
such as the city of Sur (ref C),lag behind Muscat in the
pace of recovery from the storm, but there are no reports of
large-scale deprivation, and contacts report that all basic
needs of residents of these areas are being met.

--------------
A HEFTY DAMAGE BILL
--------------


4. (SBU) The Ministry of National Economy has estimated
damage to infrastructure alone at approximately 1 billion
Omani rials (USD 2.6 billion). Plans to construct three new
dams in the Wadi Adai to prevent future flooding will require
24.15 million rials (USD 62.8 million). During a June 18
meeting with Minister of Commerce and Industry Maqbool bin
Ali Sultan, insurance company representatives stated that
claims related to Gonu could approach or even exceed USD 750
million. The official death toll from the cyclone has not
changed for a week and remains at 49 (including 13 Omani
national),with 27 reported as missing. Contacts who
predicted higher casualties (ref C) speculate that the
authorities may be waiting to issue a final number once they
have confirmed all deaths, rather than incrementally raise
the figure as search operations continue.


MUSCAT 00000638 002 OF 003


--------------
PRIVATE RELIEF EFFORTS
--------------


5. (U) Apart from government-directed recovery efforts, many
Omanis have contributed to post-Gonu relief through
volunteerism or donations. Numerous volunteer clean-up
operations have been conducted throughout the Muscat area
with strong participation by Omani nationals and expatriates.
On June 14, for example, roughly 2,000 individuals
(including some Embassy staff) assembled near the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and braved high temperatures to remove trash
and debris from the popular Qurum beach. According to the
Secretary General of the Ministry of National Economy,

SIPDIS
donations to the cyclone relief fund established by a
directive from the Sultan (ref B) had reached 14 million
Omani rials (USD 36.4 million) as of June 17.


6. (C) While the Omani government has directly provided the
bulk of post-Gonu emergency aid, the government-affiliated
Oman Charitable Organization and, to a lesser extent, the
private Dar al-Attaa charity have also collected and
distributed food, water and other supplies to those affected
by the cyclone. Expatriate organizations, sometimes in
conjunction with their resident embassies, have likewise
organized campaigns to help nationals of their countries who
suffered heavy losses from the storm. None of these relief
efforts have a political tone or anti-government bent. Some
Omanis have reportedly brought material donations to their
local mosques, but imams (who are all employed by the
government) are not/not attempting to play an active role in
providing assistance to cyclone victims. (Note: There are
no private Islamic organizations (including charities)
outside the purview of the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious
Affairs. End Note.)

--------------
GOVERNMENT IMAGE INTACT
--------------


7. (C) Although accurately gauging public opinion in Oman
can be difficult, discussions with contacts and a check of
Internet chatroom activity indicate that most Omanis are
relatively satisfied with government relief efforts and the
initial pace of reconstruction. Even U.S. citizens in the
hard hit city of Sur expressed approval of the strong
response of the Omani military to reach victims with aid and
supplies (ref C). The local press, predictably, has mostly
lauded governmental storm recovery actions and has repeatedly
praised the Omani people for their "solidarity" and
generosity in helping the country bounce back from the
cyclone.


8. (C) Of course, not everyone is happy with the role of the
government both during and after Gonu. Some Omani nationals
who suffered heavy losses and their relatives are,
understandably, very upset and have privately criticized
governmental shortcomings. A June 19 article in Arabic daily
"Shabiba" called for the Majlis al-Shura (the
directly-elected lower house of Oman's bicameral advisory
body) to hold accountable governmental authorities who
"failed to carry out their responsibilities" as demonstrated
in the aftermath of Gonu. The article specifically mentioned
the Ministry of Housing and Electricity for the "failure" of
its long-term planning, and alleged that the urban planning
of the Muscat Municipality was "just decor."

--------------
WHERE IS HE?
--------------


9. (C) The issue that continues to perplex many Omanis and
foreign observers is the Sultan's almost complete absence
from the public eye since the storm hit (refs C, D). Apart
from press and television news coverage of the Sultan
chairing the June 11 cabinet meeting (ref B),there have been
no public statements from, or photos or articles on the
activities of, Oman's ruler in local media. The entire royal
family, in fact, has similarly kept a very low profile
following the storm. Contacts report sightings of the Sultan
surveying damage in the town of Qurayat and elsewhere, but
these have not been confirmed publicly. Tongues have been
wagging (albeit in private) around Muscat regarding the
Sultan's apparent seclusion, but there is no consensus as to
the possible reason.


MUSCAT 00000638 003 OF 003


--------------
COMMENT
--------------


10. (C) Despite some missteps, there has been no widespread
frustration or discontent among Omani nationals regarding the
government's response to the cyclone. Limited criticism of
the government, moreover, has been offset by a renewed sense
of nationalism as many Omanis rally around the flag in
"rebuilding" their country. The Sultan's invisibility has
led to much speculation, but has so far not seriously eroded
his broad popularity. End Comment.
FONTENEAU