OMAN MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000289 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 ¶1. SUMMARY: This week in Omani newspapers, government daily "Oman" questioned the role of NATO, claiming that it may lead the world into a new Cold War. On April 5, "Oman" praised the Sultanate's record on human trafficking on the occasion of the first meeting of the National Commission to combat TIP. Private Arabic daily "Al Shabiba" used satire to criticize last week's Arab League summit, saying that the 'Arab initiative' should be relegated to the 'dustbin of history'. END SUMMARY. -------------- THE QUESTION OF THE VALUE OF NATO'S ROLE -------------- ¶2. On March 31, government Arabic daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000), questioned NATO's role, warning that it may lead to a return to the Cold War. According to "NATO After 60 Years: To Where?": "NATO's current structure and its strategic role is the subject of debate and controversy. NATO's failure in Afghanistan, 60 years after its establishment, has placed Europe in a difficult position. Russia is forming new military alliances, which started with the establishment of military and missile bases in former Soviet states. This threatens to reopen the missile crisis, leading to a return to the Cold War. Thus is raised the question of the value of NATO's role and the relationship between Washington and Europe." -------------- HIGHLIGHTING MECHANISMS TO FIGHT TRAFFICKING -------------- ¶3. Government daily "Oman" on April 5 ran a commentary praising ongoing efforts by the Sultanate to combat Trafficking in Persons. According to "Activities for the Welfare of Human Beings": "Oman has always ensured and preserved the rights of all citizens and residents, and it has done so in accordance with international principles of human rights under the framework of Omani traditional and cultural practices. To this end, the National Commission for combating Trafficking in Persons held its first meeting to form a committee to draft mechanisms to fight trafficking in Oman with the cooperation of the Royal Oman Police." -------------- INTO THE DUSTBIN OF HISTORY -------------- ¶4. Arabic-language daily "Al Shabiba" (circulation 20,000) published a satirical piece expressing frustration over Arab disputes and inaction at last week's Arab League summit. According to "Arab Quarrels": "Last week's Arab Summit threatened to derail the Arab world's initiatives as Israel continues to demolish Palestinian districts and turn them into Jewish counties. In fact, the Arab initiative should fall off the table directly into the dustbin of history as it has no value or place in arena of power." GRAPPO