DEMOCRACY STRATEGY AND GOALS: OMAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 055385

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2018
TAGS: EAID PHUM SCUL PGOV PREL MU
SUBJECT: DEMOCRACY STRATEGY AND GOALS: OMAN

REF: A. 07 MUSCAT 949

B. 07 STATE 130991

Classified By: NEA DAS Kent Patton for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) The Department approves Embassy Muscat,s proposed
democracy strategy for the next twelve to eighteen months as
discussed on May 6 via video conference. This cable
summarizes the new strategy, which is an update to Embassy
Muscat,s previous democracy strategy (ref A).

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UPDATED DEMOCRACY STRATEGY
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2. (C) Embassy Muscat identified four reform areas for the
upcoming twelve to eighteen months: civil society and labor
unions, representative parliament, women,s participation in
governance, and judicial reform and training.


3. (C) Objective 1: Labor unions represent Oman,s best
chance for the development of truly independent and active
civil society organizations. Implementation Strategy:

-- Develop capacity of the newly registered 40 plus labor
unions as they organize and prepare for national labor union
leadership elections, which may occur before Ramadan.

-- Utilize public diplomacy programming, including IVLP, to
advance capacity-building within labor unions and to assist
the government in creating the legal and regulatory
environment to help unions develop and operate independently.


-- Once approved by the independent General Federation,
expand scope of work for Solidarity Center to support union
growth and development and provide technical assistance and
training on elections and outreach skills. Utilize regional
training centers and programs based outside Oman for such
assistance when applicable and when lead time is sufficient
for Omani governmental approval.


4. (C) Objective 2: Increase independence and power of a
representative parliament. Implementation Strategy:

-- Provide technical training to newly elected members of
lower house of parliament, the Majlis al-Shura, elected in

2007. The International Republican Institute has conducted
technical training for staff and members and should continue
its efforts.

-- Support and encourage the expansion of the Majlis
al-Shura,s legislative responsibilities through dialogue
with high-level Omani officials and capacity building for the
Majlis.


5. (C) Objective 3: Expand women,s participation in
governance. Implementation Strategy:

-- Once the Ministry of Social Development,s needs
assessment for a new program aimed at empowering Omani women
is complete, evaluate the report and determine approach to
support the program.

-- Utilize public diplomacy programming, including exchange
visits, study opportunities, speaker/specialist programs, and
skills training to continue to promote women,s participation
in all aspects of Omani society.

-- Initiate discussion with Omani officials, pending results
of the MSD,s needs assessment, regarding campaign training
for women in the next elections, particularly in light of no
women being elected to parliament in 2007.

-- Expand training for Oman Women,s Associations utilizing
MEPI small grants funding.


6. (C) Objective 4: Promote judicial reform and training.
Implementation Strategy:

-- Utilize additional technical assistance through American
Bar Association to develop capacity within the independent
judiciary.

-- Promote the creation of bench books covering different
aspects of Omani law, starting with labor law, and provide
associated training to judges to help them understand legal
precedents and adjudicate labor and other disputes with
greater consistency.

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POINT OF CONTACT
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7. (SBU) Please contact NEA/PI Charles KIAMIe at (202)
776-8841 or KIAMIeCE@state.sgov.gov for any necessary further
background information.
RICE