PROMOTING DEMOCRACY IN OMAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000720 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2017 TAGS: PGOV KDEM KMPI KPAO MU SUBJECT: PROMOTING DEMOCRACY IN OMAN REF: A. STATE 88465 ¶B. MUSCAT 661 ¶C. MUSCAT 306 ¶D. MUSCAT 298 ¶E. MUSCAT 72 Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo for Reasons 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (C) Oman presents a challenging environment for U.S. efforts to directly promote democracy. Civil society is still in its infancy, the press is constrained by unwritten government redlines and self-censorship, and a large majority of Omanis are content with the political status quo. While the Sultan and other senior Omani officials are intent on strengthening civil institutions and increasing citizen participation in government, they argue that this must be done at a gradual pace and in their own way in order to preserve stability, national cohesion and Oman's traditions and culture. Post is committed to promoting the President's Freedom Agenda through a variety of means, including activities described in the following paragraphs. Support for Labor Unions -------------- ¶2. (C) It is post's firm view that the newly legalized labor unions represent Oman's best chance, for the foreseeable future, for the development of truly independent and active civil society organizations. As part of its commitments under the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA),the Omani government passed sweeping labor reforms in 2006 that provide workers the freedom to organize, meet, and choose their own leaders outside the controls that the government has placed on most other types of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Unions also can provide a powerful example of grassroots democracy at work through the holding of elections for union officials who are directly accountable to their members. In addition, they will present women with new opportunities for leadership. The Ambassador has accordingly prioritized capacity-building and other support for unions in advancing the Department's democracy agenda in Oman. ¶3. (SBU) Post is taking a number of steps to promote unions as viable civil society organizations. The Ambassador has used meetings with Minister of Manpower Juma bin Ali al-Juma to encourage the Minister's support for union development (ref D). Emboffs regularly meet with union leaders at the company and national level to monitor their growth, and identify avenues for capacity-building and other types of assistance (ref E). Post, in collaboration with the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI),is actively encouraging the lone female member of the General Federation of Oman's Laborers ) the national-level workers, representative body - to develop programming that will increase women's leadership and voice in the workplace (ref C). MEPI is funding a post-supported International Labor Organization (ILO) program to strengthen tripartite communication among unions, government and business. Post is also working with MEPI to secure additional funds throughout 2008 to build union capacity, and has proposed a single-country international visitor program for representatives of Omani business, labor and government to visit the U.S. in 2007. That visit would focus on exposing Omani participants to the role of labor unions in democratic, free market societies. Outreach to Student Groups -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The Ambassador has emphasized outreach to Oman's university and college students to promote educational opportunities in the U.S. and, just as important, to create opportunities for discussion about America's history, civic values and political system. The Ambassador has made it a point to talk with student groups of various ages during his trips outside the capital area, meeting recently with students at private universities and English language centers in the cities of Salalah, Rustaq and Sohar. Emboffs have spoken with other student groups in Oman on political-related topics, including the U.S. civil rights movement and elections. Post will extend its outreach to university student groups in Nizwa and Buraimi in the coming months. Meetings with Activists -------------- ¶5. (C) There is a very small group of what could be considered "democracy activists" in Oman. Those more visible, such as Tayba al-Maawali who recently appeared on al-Hurra (ref B),are often subject to unwanted government scrutiny. Private or small-group Ambassadorial-level meetings would only add to their discomfort and to the attention they receive from security services. The Ambassador accordingly will seek ways to interact with these MUSCAT 00000720 002 OF 002 few activists in a larger setting. For example, the Ambassador plans to invite Tayba and some like-minded Omanis to group Iftaar dinners during Ramadan and will make time for brief individual meetings surrounding the event. Placement of Op-Eds -------------- ¶6. (C) Fettered by extensive self-censorship and the government's wary eye, Oman's press historically has been unwilling to publish op-ed submissions from the Embassy that directly deal with democracy or advocate for political reform. More leeway exists, however, for pieces that promote democratic principles in the context of a less sensitive subject or focus on a reform-related initiative that enjoys Omani support. The Ambassador accordingly plans to submit an op-ed describing positively the Forum for the Future, in which Oman participates. Other Steps -------------- ¶7. (SBU) As part of our MEPI projects and more traditional Public Affairs programs, post continues to promote important elements of a democratic culture including NGO development, civic education and good governance. A MEPI-funded program with the International Republican Institute (IRI),for example, is working to build the capacity and effectiveness of the Majlis al-Shura, the directly-elected lower house of Oman's proto-legislature. ECA exchange programs are an invaluable tool in bringing a variety of emerging and established Omani leaders to the U.S. to learn about the workings of America's open and diverse society and democratic political system. Post will also seek to bring at least two speakers to Oman in the coming year to discuss issues related to the President's Freedom Agenda. ¶8. (SBU) In recognition of the essential role that women play in democratic development, post is striving to promote women's empowerment and to strengthen Oman's 47 women's associations. One particular bright spot in this area is the Embassy-sponsored Women in Technology (WIT) program, which provides women with training in computer and Internet skills. In June, the Ambassador visited the WIT program conducted at the women's association in the city of Salalah. Participants praised the program, which is oversubscribed, and shared with the Ambassador how it had exposed them to new ideas and opened up economic opportunities for them. Women's associations in three cities currently participate in the WIT program and post hopes to increase this number by three in the coming year. GRAPPO