EDITORIAL CHALLENGES OMAN'S TIP RANKING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000734 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, DRL, G/TIP STATE PASS USTR FOR AROSENBERG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB PHUM PGOV PREL MU SUBJECT: EDITORIAL CHALLENGES OMAN'S TIP RANKING -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) An English language daily editorial criticized the USG for ranking Oman as a Tier III country in its trafficking-in-persons (TIP) report and claimed that TIP allegations regarding Oman were not factually supported. The editorial acknowledged, however, that more should be done in Oman to combat trafficking. The media's rare address of this issue opens a window for further public dialogue on promoting anti-TIP efforts. End summary. -------------- Findings "Absurd" -------------- ¶2. (U) On July 27, the "Oman Tribune" published an editorial contesting the USG's classification of Oman as a Tier III country in its latest "Annual Report on Trafficking in Persons." Entitled "Why the Sultanate?," the editorial challenged the Department's perceived characterization of the Omani government as "disinterested" in combating TIP. While acknowledging that there are TIP issues in Oman, the editorial nevertheless labeled the Department's finding that Oman had "shown no commitment to meeting international standards" as "absurd." -------------- Where's the Evidence? -------------- ¶3. (U) The editorial criticized the report for failing to provide specific information to support its assertions. "Are these accusations credible?," asked the English language daily. "What is the evidence behind the claims made by the State Department? Is this report the result of serious investigation or is it simply a superficial and ill-informed slur on Oman?" ¶4. (U) The editorial cited the withholding of passports by employers as one claim that lacked specifics. Noting that the Ministry of Manpower had issued a November 2006 circular reaffirming the illegality of this practice, the newspaper chastised the report for providing "no evidence...to support this allegation." The daily also challenged the report's assertion that Oman may be a destination country for forced prostitution. "What evidence stands behind the suggestion that such trafficking 'may' be taking place? As the report stands this is purely speculative: even the authors of the report are unable to make it a firm statement rather than a mere possibility." -------------- 
Look Who's Talking -------------- ¶5. (U) The daily called into question the USG's approach to addressing global TIP concerns. "Publishing misleading and defamatory reports about the work of other countries, especially your friends, in this global effort hardly seems a sensible way to encourage effective cooperation," noted the editorial. The opinion piece also contrasted the report's findings with those from a 2006 TIP-related report issued by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, which characterized Oman's level of trafficking as "low," as compared to the U.S., which was "very high." On this basis, the editorial pondered, "What moral or political authority entitles the U.S. government to pass public comment on Oman and its alleged failure to meet international standards?" -------------- On the Brighter Side... -------------- ¶6. (U) In spite of these criticisms, the editorial noted that human trafficking is a serious problem and of concern to Oman. It further acknowledged that Oman could be doing more to "crack down" on such violations through high-profile prosecutions and stiff penalties on violators. The editorial also conceded that the USG was "right" to be concerned about TIP. -------------- Opening Dialogue -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Comment: The fact that the opinion piece did not MUSCAT 00000734 002 OF 002 run in the newspaper's Arabic sister publication is a clear sign that the missive was intended for a Western audience. Nevertheless, despite the rantings by the editors of this small but influential English daily, the editorial provides the opportunity to raise awareness and open dialogue on an issue that has not to fore received any significant press coverage (Note: While coverage has been scant, the Arabic language daily "Shabbiba," which caters to a younger audience, did publish the Ambassador's op-ed piece on trafficking in persons in its May 16, 2007 edition. End note.) Though critical of the USG's findings, the editors did acknowledge that the issue of TIP was a "serious one," and partially confirmed that the problems of prostitution and passport withholding really do exist in Oman. The paper encouragingly called upon the Omani government to respond to these assertions in the interest of opening "public discussion" on the issue. ¶8. (SBU) With USG assistance, the Omani government continues its work on developing an anti-trafficking law. Comments provided by an expert contracted by G/TIP have been well-received by Oman's anti-trafficking committee, and the MFA is planning to hold an internal anti-TIP workshop in September with officials from the relevant ministries and law enforcement agencies. End comment. GRAPPO