OMANI FOREIGN POLICY AS REFLECTED IN THE SPEECHES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MUSCAT 000047

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2018
TAGS: PINR PREL MU
SUBJECT: OMANI FOREIGN POLICY AS REFLECTED IN THE SPEECHES
OF SULTAN QABOOS

Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo for Reasons 1.4 (b, d)

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) Summary: In addition to being the longest-serving
head of state in the GCC, Sultan Qaboos bin Sa'id is also
one of the most consistent Arab leaders with respect to his
stated views on foreign policy. An examination of the
relatively limited number of public speeches he has given
since taking power from his father in a bloodless coup in
1970 reveals an early and repeated emphasis on cooperation,
dialogue, respect for international law, and
non-interference in the affairs of other states. Beginning
in the 1980s, the Sultan has also made recurring references
to the need to reject religious extremism and oppose
terrorism. Initially harsh statements about combating
"Zionist aggression" soon gave way to a continued emphasis
on solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (and other
international disputes) through peaceful negotiations.
Direct criticism of other countries has been very sparse,
although the Sultan had harsh words for the Soviet Union
prior to establishing full diplomatic relations with Moscow
in 1985. The Sultan has never acknowledged his
government's special relationships with the U.S and UK.
While reflecting a certain degree of idealism, the foreign
policy principles espoused by the Sultan are also
pragmatic. By promoting dialogue and keeping on the best
terms possible with others, the Sultan has positioned Oman
well to take advantage of opportunities that could further
his country's long-term interests. End Summary.

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A CONSISTENT CALL FOR PEACEFUL COOPERATION
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2. (SBU) Under the rule of Sultan Qaboos' father, Sultan
Sa'id bin Taymur, Oman primarily relied on Britain to take
care of its world affairs and avoided establishing close
relations with its Arab neighbors. Upon taking power in
1970, Sultan Qaboos quickly looked to shed this
isolationism by promptly applying for admittance to the
League of Arab States and the United Nations in 1971. On
the occasion of Oman's second national day celebration on
November 18, 1972, the Sultan gave a speech in which he
noted the country's joining the international community and
its expansion of diplomatic ties with other states. The
following year, during the third national day festivities,
the Sultan laid out what he called "guidelines" for Omani
foreign policy that rested on: "good neighborliness,"
peaceful coexistence between nations, "mutual respect" for
the sovereignty of other states, non-interference in the
affairs of other countries, and exchange of mutual
interests. Such an approach, according to the Sultan,
would contribute to Oman's goal of helping to "resolve
international problems" and "maintain peace and stability
between the various countries of the world."


3. (SBU) The foreign policy principles announced by the
Sultan in 1973 would be often repeated in other speeches
(usually limited to no more than two per year) throughout
his reign. On the ninth national day in 1979, for example,
he emphasized Oman's hope of "fostering cooperation and
understanding between peoples of the world," while also
insisting on "observance of international law." In
addressing the nation in 1981, the Sultan declared that
Oman would "reject the friendship of no one" and that the
future of the world rested in "peaceful and constructive
cooperation," while in 1985 he pledged to "strive
faithfully for friendship and cooperation" and advocated
"eradicating tension and struggle by peaceful means."


4. (SBU) In 1988, Sultan Qaboos again summarized the
foundation of Omani foreign policy: "These policies are
based foremost on our firm belief in the principles of
peaceful coexistence among the nations; good neighborliness
between countries; non-interference in others' internal
affairs; and mutual respect for national sovereignty." The
Sultan restated these guiding principles almost verbatim
four years later during Oman's 22nd national day, adding
that international disputes "must be solved" through
dialogue conducted in a "spirit of understanding."
Speeches in 1995, 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2006 also expressly
listed these principles as the basis of Oman's approach to
conducting its international affairs.

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AN ADDED EMPHASIS ON MODERATION
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5. (SBU) In addition to the long-standing guidelines

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described above, the Sultan would add a new pillar to
Oman's foreign policy creed during the second decade of his
reign -- a rejection of religious extremism and terrorism.
On the occasion of Oman's 12th national day in 1982, Sultan
Qaboos condemned "those who distort the teachings of our
Muslim religion to serve their own political purposes;" he
denounced "fanaticism and intolerance" the following year
(1983). In 1985, the Sultan called for the elimination of
"terrorism in all its forms," a call he would echo in
ensuing years. The Sultan's national day speech in 1994
urged his subjects to reject religious extremism and
declared that "obstinacy in religious understanding leads
to backwardness in Muslims, prevalence of violence and
intolerance."


6. (SBU) On the occasion of Oman's 21st national day, 14
days after the events of September 11, 2001, the Sultan
stated that "we condemn and reject terrorism," while his
speeches during the last several years have contained pleas
for "tolerance" and "understanding" in order to help
"eradicate ... violence and instability." Summarizing the
consistency of Oman's foreign policy under his rule, the
Sultan provided the following statement during his most
recent public pronouncement (convening the fourth session
of the Majlis Oman) on November 6, 2007: "We work for
construction and development at home, and for friendship
and peace, justice and harmony, coexistence and
understanding, and positive constructive dialogue abroad.
That is how we began, that is how we are today, and that,
with God's permission, is how we shall continue to be."

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REFRAINING FROM FINGER-POINTING ...
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7. (C) With very few exceptions, Oman has carefully
followed the guidelines enunciated by the Sultan in
conducting its diplomatic relations. In the few instances
when the Sultan has publicly addressed specific
international issues (outside the Middle East peace
process),he has refrained from directly criticizing a
particular party or country and encouraged the reaching of
a peaceful resolution through dialogue. For example,
during his national day speech in 1985, the Sultan
highlighted his strong support for "all mediation efforts
to end the Iran-Iraq war" without apportioning blame or
expressing backing for either combatant. In 1989, he
similarly urged the revival of "negotiations" between Iraq
and Iran, and called on "our brothers in Lebanon" to
"cooperate with the newly elected [Lebanese] President to
restore peace and harmony in all Lebanon."

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... BUT HARSH WORDS FOR THE FORMER USSR
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8. (C) Apart from Israel, the only countries to come under
direct fire from Sultan Qaboos in his public addresses have
been South Yemen -- which repeatedly tried to foment unrest
in southern Oman, including a rebellion effort in the
Dhofar region from 1970-75 -- and the Soviet Union (a
patron of South Yemen). [Note: Moscow and Muscat did not
establish full diplomatic relations until 1985. End
Note.] Although a member of the non-aligned movement, the
Sultan blasted the "unbridled pursuit by the Soviet Union
of policies of expansionism reminiscent of the worst
periods of colonialism in the past" in his 1979 national
day speech, as well as asserting that the national identity
of South Yemen had been "virtually obliterated by the
massive presence there of Soviet and Cuban satellite
forces." The following year (1980),Sultan Qaboos lauded
the "Muslim people of Afghanistan" for their "tenacious
opposition to the Soviet invaders of their homeland" and
also stated that instability in the world was due in part
to the "unbridled ambitions of the Soviet Union." Verbal
attacks against the USSR in the Sultan's public addresses
soon disappeared, however, as relations with Moscow
improved, leading to the eventual exchange of
ambassadors.

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AN EARLY CHANGE IN TACK TOWARDS ISRAEL
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9. (C) The one subject on which the Sultan made a marked
correction (at least publicly) was the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict. Perhaps reflecting his still relatively loose
hold on power during the first years of reign, as well as
heated public sentiments over the 1973 Arab-Israeli war,
the Sultan's third national day speech in November 1973
declared Oman's "solidarity with our Arab brothers ... in
standing against Zionist aggression and in supporting the

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Arab fight in restoring all Arab territories which the
enemy has occupied by force, treachery and treason. We
shall always support the Arab fight with blood and money
and back it with all our powers." Six years later,
however, with the Sultan much more secure in his rule, Oman
was one of only three Arab League members to refuse to
break diplomatic relations with Egypt after the Camp David
peace accords. In his national day speech that same year,
the Sultan stated: "The year has been a first, hopeful
step along the road to peace in the Middle East ... Oman
categorically declares that it will warmly support any
constructive initiative by any Arab or other leader which
may promise to lead to [the end of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict]."


10. (SBU) The Sultan's public references to the peace
process throughout the 1980s and onwards consistently
displayed empathy for the "suffering," "agony" and "unjust
occupation" of the Palestinian people. His speeches
addressing this subject, however, also consistently
advocated a non-violent solution leading to the creation of
a peaceful Palestinian state, and avoided vitriol directed
at Israel. With few exceptions, such as a call for "an end
to Israeli intransigence" in 1985, the Sultan's speeches
did not even mention Israel by name in referencing the
"Middle East issue" or the "Middle East problem" (i.e.,
terms used by the Sultan for the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict).

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COMMENT
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11. (C) Comment: While the Sultan's relatively limited
number of public speeches are an imperfect bellwether of
Oman's foreign policy, and do not reflect the many private
comments of Omani officials who feel more free to vent
against certain countries, they nevertheless demonstrate
that Oman has acted in a remarkably consistent way with its
set of principles in approaching major international
issues. Current Omani urging of the U.S. to engage in
non-conditional dialogue with Tehran and to avoid sanctions
in seeking to solve the Iranian nuclear file, for example,
is a natural continuation of its history of encouraging
dialogue -- not confrontation -- to end conflicts elsewhere
in the region. Some may say that Oman's steadfast
attachment to peaceful cooperation and non-interference in
the affairs of others demonstrates too liberal a dose of
idealism and, perhaps, even naiveti. Yet these principles
are also pragmatic; the Sultan does not overestimate his
country's own influence, nor is he naive or pacific to the
intentions of other nations towards Oman.


12. (C) By staying on the best terms possible with almost
everyone (and encouraging others to do likewise),the
Sultan has kept open the option of converting even former
adversaries into potential partners, and has positioned
Oman to take bold action (like embracing the Camp David
accords) that, even if unpopular with other Arabs, promotes
Oman's own long-term national interests. Finally, while he
has never publicly acknowledged the Sultanate's strategic
relationship with the U.S. and UK, these relationships
nevertheless fit neatly with his principle of fostering
"exchange of mutual interests." His decision to enter into
the Base Access Agreement with the U.S. in 1980 further
demonstrates his ability to act boldly when necessary while
still remaining faithful to his foundation guidelines. End
Comment.

GRAPPO