OMAN MEDIA REACTION: Trafficking in Persons Report

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000418

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, NEA/PI, AND INR/R/MR
LONDON FOR NEA WATCHER
PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR NEA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO KMDR MU
SUBJECT: OMAN MEDIA REACTION: Trafficking in Persons Report


1. SUMMARY: While the number of Omani papers responding to date to
the release of the 2008 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is to
date limited (to wire service material in on English private daily
and more targeted coverage in a pair of Arabic and English sister
papers),one paper has made the issue the subject of two, by local
standards, fiery editorials, and online reaction has been swift and
predictably negative. Meanwhile, editorials continue to express
discontent with the situation in Iraq. END SUMMARY.

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TIP: "RANDOM ACCUSATIONS FOR DIRTY PURPOSES"
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2. On June 5, private Arabic daily "Al-Watan" (circulation 42,000)
lashed out in response to the just-released TIP report, claiming
blackmail as the new policy motivating Oman's tier 3 rating and
asking, "Why this Blackmail?":

"The Sultanate has taken great steps towards protecting human rights
and has worked to create an atmosphere in which every individual can
exercise his or her rights and practice their religious beliefs
freely. Oman made a lot of progress on combating human trafficking
and on ending any practice that prejudices the lives, rights, and
freedoms of others. The government of Oman participated in the UN
conference of the Global Initiative to Combat Human Trafficking.
Omani officials understand the need for justice for all people,
regardless of color, race, social status, and position.
Unfortunately, America, which has declared itself the defender of
human rights, insists on releasing reports that undo the tireless
efforts of Oman. What makes it worse is that these accusations come
from a country that is characterized as an ally and friend, which
has deep ties based on mutual interests and economic cooperation,
security and mutual respect. However, it seems that there a shift
in the U.S. policy with its allies in the region. This shift is
towards the practice of blackmail, which Washington resorts to when
there is a conflict, or when it is in its interest to achieve
political gains at the expense of the region and its stability,
prosperity and security. The United States should have looked at
itself and evaluated itself before evaluating others, because
corruption emerges in every detail of their lives. In addition,
America should distance itself from pursuing such empty and mindless
policies and from making random accusations for dirty purposes. At
least it would not lose what was left of the respect between her and
the people of this region and the world."


3. A June 9 commentary, also in "Al-Watan", "The Sultanate and the
U.S. Tip Report", said:

"Despite serious and sincere efforts, the U.S. insists on listing
the Sultanate as Tier 3 in the TIP Report. Why did the U.S. sign an
FTA agreement if Oman is a country that traffics in persons? The
U.S. report turns a blind eye to the violations of human rights in
the U.S. itself, in Israel and Iraq."

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ONLINE: PHYSICIAN, HEAL THYSELF
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4. Oman's most active online discussion site, Al Sabla
(www.omania2.net),posted strong reaction to the publishing of the
TIP report. One discussion thread, titled "U.S. Insists on Placing
Oman on the List of Human Trafficking Countries" received 32
comments and 1,235 views, one of the most active threads in the
forum. Among the strongest quotes:

"Who appointed America to make such a report?"
"Ignore them and their reports because it is only lies."
"Why they don't look to what is happening inside their country and
the corruption that is taking place?"
"Our government deserves it because they are submissive to the
infidel country like America sacrificing the teaching of our
religion."

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IRAQ: "CONVENTION ON SUBMISSION TO THE OCCUPATION"
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5. "Al-Watan", also on June 8, criticized a proposed military
agreement between the U.S. and Iraq, simultaneously accusing Western
media of propagandizing and a cover-up. According to
"Now that the dimensions of the plot is Unfolded":

"It is doubtful that those who supported America and Britain in
invading Iraq expected that the end would be an agreement prolonging
the invasion and robbing Iraqis of their independence and dignity.
The terms of the agreement, described by Western media propaganda as

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the 'Convention on Understanding and Cooperation', is instead a
'Convention on Submission to the Occupation'. Western media have
painted this invasion as a humanitarian effort aimed at freeing
Iraqis from tyranny to establish freedom. None of those promises
were achieved. They avoid revealing that America is withholding $50
billion from Iraq that will be released only when the Iraqi
government signs this suspicious agreement. The U.S. administration
is urging the signing of this agreement to provide the next
administration with evidence that the invasion of Iraq benefited
America, and was not just a historic catastrophe as American and
other observers think."
GRAPPO