OMAN MEDIA REACTION

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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 anticipation of the release of the Trafficking in
Persons report, commentary on June 10 in private daily "Al Watan"
called labor relations in the Sultanate "balanced". The article
raised last year's TIP report, blaming "political gains" as the
U.S.'s motivation for the low-ranking. On June 13, "Al Watan" ran a
commentary by a Ministry of Manpower employee urging the private
sector to adhere to the Omani Labor law and anti-Trafficking law. On
June 15, "Al Watan" called Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech a "slap
in the face" to the Arab world and international community. END
SUMMARY.

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"VINDICATING FALSE REPORTS"
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2. Anticipating the global release of the Trafficking in Persons
report, private daily "Al Watan" (circulation 42,000) on June 10
commented that labor relations in Oman are "balanced", recalling that
"influential countries" had previously exaggerated trafficking
problem for political gain. According to "Cooperation and
Fundamental Rights in the Workplace":

"Despite the presence of millions of expatriate workers in the
region, labor relations have always been balanced. Rights are
protected by rules and regulations. Some influential countries have
tried to exaggerate problems faced by foreign workers for political
ends and to exert pressure. Following clarifications and the
vindication of false reports, those countries have revoked their
positions and returned to 'rationality.' It would be better if
international organizations such as the ILO would carry out the
monitoring assignments of such issues to fairly explore the extent of
cooperation."

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"PRIVATE SECTOR ESTABLISHMENTS MUST COMPLY"
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3. On June 13, "Al Watan" carried a commentary by a Ministry of
Manpower employee and professor on the Ministry's efforts to combat
trafficking. The article builds a case for the Ministry's
contribution to fighting TIP, referring to its awareness campaign and
calling for private sector compliance. According to "The Work
Environment and Workers' Rights":

"On November 24, 2008, His Majesty issued the anti-Trafficking in
Persons Law which addresses all forms of worker exploitation, Omani
and non-Omani. The Ministry of Manpower has publicized in an ongoing
campaign requirements for appropriate working conditions, as well as
health and safety regulations. Private sector establishments must
comply with the anti-Trafficking Law and the Ministry of Manpower's
instructions regarding proper working conditions stipulated in the
Omani Labor Law."

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"A HARSH RESPONSE, A SLAP IN THE FACE"
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4. On June 15, "Al Watan" commented that Prime Minister Netanyahu's
speech in response to President Obama's two-state initiative was a
"fantasy" and a "slap in the face". According to "The Speech... A
Slap":

"Netanyahu promised nothing in his speech regarding peace while
asking for everything from the world and Arabs. His speech listed
many difficult conditions that make the establishment of the
Palestinian state impossible. What he introduced in his speech
violated all international laws and understandings relevant to
previous resolutions. It was also contrary to Obama's demands to
accept the two-state solution. Netanyahu's speech is a fantasy. It
is a harsh response, a slap in the face."
HURTADO