SULTAN QABOOS DELIVERS UPBEAT SPEECH AT OPENING OF MAJILS

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 001027 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/11/18 TAGS: PGOV KWMN MU SUBJECT: SULTAN QABOOS DELIVERS UPBEAT SPEECH AT OPENING OF MAJILS OMAN CLASSIFIED BY: Richard J Schmierer, Ambassador, State, Exec; REASON: 1.4(D) ¶1. (U) In keeping with tradition, Sultan Qaboos bin Said presided over the ceremonial opening session of the Majlis Oman on November 16, at Hisn al Shomoukn in the wilayat of Manah (near Nizwa). The annual event was attended by ROYAL family members, members of the Majlis al-Dawla (appointed upper house) and Majlis al-Shura (elected lower house),government ministers, senior military officials and heads of diplomatic missions, as well as press representatives. ¶2. (SBU) The GoO had announced that the speech would be short, and true to prediction, it lasted for only nine minutes. The Sultan stressed the need for equal opportunities for all citizens and for development of technical education and expertise to help carry Oman into the future. He praised Omani women and called upon all women to exercise their rights. Qaboos also used the occasion to declare future October 17s as Omani Women's Day. ¶3. (C) Comment: Over the years, the Sultan has reduced barriers and legal impediments for women. In this speech he clearly indicated that he now expects women to assert their rights. As this is the 39th year of Qaboos' rule, which the Omanis call the "National Renaissance," Embassy expects that next year's speech (as well as the adjacent National Day observance) will be expanded and elaborate. This year the Sultan stuck to an upbeat line. (Last year he surprised many by attacking official corruption.) If the old political observance is true that the freedom of a nation is inversely proportionate to the length of its leader's speeches, Oman is doing relatively well. End Comment. Schmierer