OMAN MEDIA REACTION: MORE PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON TIP;

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000469

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PPD, NEA/PI, INR/R/MR, NEA/SA/EX/PMO
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: MORE PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON TIP;
INDIVIDUALS EXPRESS DISAGREEMENT

REF: Muscat 454


1. SUMMARY: Press coverage of TIP continued at the same elevated
level reported in reftel, with over a dozen articles appearing in
English and Arabic since Monday, June 16. On Tuesday, June 17, the
Oman Journalist Association (OJA) issued a statement, carried in all
dailies, in line with other official and semi-official statements
issued to date. Wednesday, the Secretary General of the GCC issued
his own statement, saying, "The Sultanate's stand reflects its
strong and clear vision... I call upon the U.S. State Department to
review its unfriendly policies towards GCC countries." Today,
state-owned daily "Observer" and private daily "Times of Oman" ran
articles interviewing south Asian and western expats, who add their
voices of support to Oman's TIP rejection. END SUMMARY.

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OJA: "The Bright Record of the Sultanate"
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2. On Tuesday, June 17, English and Arabic dailies all ran coverage
of a statement issued by the Oman Journalist Association voicing its
rejection of Oman's tier 3 TIP rating. Private English language
daily "The Tribune" (circulation 8,000) said in "Oman Journalists
Association Assails US Report":

"The Omani Journalists Association issued a statement
condemning...the 'false allegation that the Sultanate is not taking
enough measures to combat human trafficking.' The statement said
that the report did not reflect the bright record of the Sultanate
that had been recognized by international prestigious organizations
known for their credibility and being away from political
blackmailing. The statement also said: 'The basic statue of the
state secures dignity for locals as well as expatriates. While the
reports are subjective and selective, they spoil the relations
between countries do not serve communication and dialogue among
cultures. They rather create animosity and hostility. The Omani
Journalists Association, which is one of the Omani civil society
organizations, renews its rejection and condemnation of such unfair
report, especially when work is under way to create special
legislation on human trafficking, which is an international
phenomenon.'"

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Al Attiya: The Sultanate's "Strong and Clear Vision"
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3. On June 17, private Arabic daily "Al Watan" (circulation 42,000)
and private English language daily "The Tribune" (circulation 8,000)
published an exclusive statement by GCC Secretary General Abd
al-Rahman bin Hamad al-'Attiya. According to "GCC Backs Sultanates
Rejection of US Report":

"Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Abdulrahman Al Attiyah
has supported the rejection letter handed by HE Sayyid Badr al
Busaidi to the U.S. ambassador to the Sultanate. In a statement to
the Tribune, Attiyah said the GCC supports the Sultanate's rejection
of the false allegations made in the report. The Sultanate's stand
reflects its strong and clear vision. The unjustified reports have
political motives. I call on the US State Department to review its
unfriendly practices towards GCC countries."

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"There is nothing like what is cited in the report"
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4. On Saturday, June 21, state-owned English language daily
"Observer" (circulation 20,000) and private English language daily
"Times of Oman" (circulation 25,000) ran articles based on
interviews with south Asian and western expats stating satisfaction
with life in Oman and disagreement over the TIP report. Block
quotes as follows:

"It is almost 25 years since I first came to Oman. Initial concern
over living and working conditions quickly gave way to the
realization that the local people are very warm and friendly,
respectful to expatriates and have an excellent sense of
hospitality."

"The wave of resentment unleashed in the Sultanate over the recent
US report on human trafficking seems to be strong, with even
Americans in the country frowning at the report. 'Oman is a very
tolerant country, with proper laws and measures in place to prevent
human trafficking,' says an American who has been living in the
Sultanate for the last seven years. 'I'm not sure how and why the
U.S. has come up with such a report.'"

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"'Oman is a very fair and free country. There is nothing like what
is cited in the report,' says an Indian expatriate who has been
living in Muscat for the last 25 years. 'I am really amazed by the
report. I don't know what basis they are assessing all these
things. I would say this country is one of the most peaceful and
tolerant in the world.'"

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