OMAN MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000473 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: In a highly unusual press appearance, H.E. Yousuf bin Alawi, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, gave a broad overview of Omani foreign policy to two local dailies on May 23. The Minister reiterated Oman's longstanding policy strategy of non-confrontation, then touched on issues including relations with the U.S. and Iran. On May 24, government daily "Oman" commented that the Minister's speech clarified "inaccuracies" held by other countries. On May 19, private daily "Al Watan" called the meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu a "dialog of the deaf". On May 25, "Oman" stated that the Sultanate rejects Israel's expansion into Jerusalem, quoting Yousuf bin Alawi as saying that Israel's remarks "will not convince anyone." END SUMMARY. -------------- NOT REQUIRED TO FOLLOW U.S. POLICY -------------- ¶2. On May 24, government daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000) and private daily "Al Shabiba" (circulation 20,000) published an interview with Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yousuf bin Alawi on a broad range of Omani foreign policy issues. In this exceptionally rare press availability, the Minister stated, "The Sultanate is not required to follow U.S. policy," when explaining the Sultanate's decision not to attend last year's AGCC meeting on Iran. Additionally, bin Alawi acknowledged Oman's base access agreement with the U.S., which is "known to all," adding that Oman had not concluded any new deals for foreign bases in the country. Block quotes from the interview follow: On U.S.-Oman relations: "Asked about the Sultanate's relationship with the U.S., bin Alawi affirmed that the two countries are bound by mutual interests. 'This doesn't mean that we will ally with one party against another. We also have common interests with others, as well, and Washington does realize this,' he furthered. "He said that the Sultanate did not attend the meeting which former Secretary of State Rice had called to rally the AGCC and the Security Council against the Iranian nuclear issue and Sudan. 'The Sultanate is not required to follow the U.S. policy,' he added." On Oman-Iran relations: "Speaking of the Sultanate and Iran, bin Alawi said the two countries are cooperating economically by sharing the Bukha or 'Hinjam' oil field, a marine field shared jointly by the Sultanate and Iran but extending far into the Iranian territorial waters." On Egypt-Iran relations: "Yousuf bin Alawi has denied any intermediary role by the Sultanate between Egypt and Iran to ease their political clashes." On terrorism: "The justice being pursued by His Majesty the Sultan's government has guaranteed a dignified life for all citizens. The culture and environment of the Omani man prevent him from sponsoring terrorism." -------------- OMAN WILL WORK FOR STABILITY AND PEACE -------------- ¶3. In a column on May 24 following the Foreign Minister's interview, government daily "Oman" said that the interview clarified "inaccuracies...of certain parties" and reinforced the fact that Oman will not join alliances against any one party. According to "Omani Honesty and Keeping Everything in its Place": "Yousif bin Alawi's words are important, because the region is going through many developments that sometimes lead to incorrect interpretations and inaccurate explanations. These inaccuracies come from the interests of certain parties or groups which contradict the Sultanate's principals. The Sultanate has always had a vision that may not necessarily match the points of view or the circumstances of another country. This does not mean that Oman cannot enter into bilateral or multilateral dialogue. The foreign minister was clear that Oman will work for stability and peace but 'will never engage in any axis against any party.'" -------------- "DIALOGUE OF THE DEAF" MUSCAT 00000473 002 OF 002 -------------- ¶4. On May 19, private Arabic daily "Al Watan" (circulation 42,000) commented that the meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu achieved little. According to "Obama and Netanyahu, Dialogue of the Deaf": "Finally, the long-awaited meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Obama has taken place. We heard the anticipated calls to stop the settlements from President Obama and not from the Prime Minister. The simplest possible description of the meeting is to call it a 'dialogue of the deaf'. The President called on Israel to accept the principle of a two-state solution and to stop settlement activity, and Netanyahu talked about the continuation of settlement and Iran. In the end, this was all we could have expected from this meeting." -------------- -------------- THE SULTANATE HAS REJECTED ISRAEL'S ONGOING ATTEMPTS -------------- -------------- ¶5. On May 25, government daily "Oman" criticized Israel for expanding its control over Jerusalem, quoting Yousuf bin Alawi remarks that Israel's statements on the issue will not convince anyone. According to "Israeli Practices Close the Road in Front of Peace": "All Arab States have affirmed through the Arab Peace Initiative their willingness to reach a comprehensive and lasting settlement for the Palestinians. However, it is clear that the government of Benjamin Netanyahu has chosen to maneuver and procrastinate. There is a discrepancy between his official statements and the acts of the authorities in the occupied Palestinian territories and Jerusalem. The Sultanate has clearly rejected the Israelis' ongoing attempts to 'Judiaize' Jerusalem, whether through demolition of Palestinian homes or through the continuation of settlement activity. The Omani Foreign Minister H.E. Yousuf bin Alawi has stated that the remarks of the Israeli prime minister on Jerusalem 'will not convince anyone in the world and will not change the position of Jerusalem for the Muslim world.'" GRAPPO