Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
09MUSCAT93 | 2009-02-03 14:27:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Muscat |
VZCZCXRO2065 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHMS #0093 0341424 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 031427Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0103 INFO ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE RUEHMS/AMEMBASSY MUSCAT |
C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000093 |
1. (C) Summary: According to the Egyptian ambassador to Muscat, the Omani government facilitated recent public protests over the situation in Gaza to let both Omanis and expatriate residents vent their anger. The Egyptian COM also confirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) had set-up the resident ambassadors of UN Security Council nations for a media ambush by summoning local journalists to the ministry to elicit statements following a surprise meeting called by Oman's foreign minister. The Egyptian government is unsure of where Oman stands vis-a-vis Hamas and is concerned that it may be leaning towards following the approach of Qatar. End Summary. 2. (C) In a January 31 meeting with the Ambassador, the well-connected head of the Egyptian diplomatic mission in Muscat, Ezzeldin Fahmy, stated that Oman's Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs recently told him that the Omani government had not only tolerated public protests over Israeli military operations in Gaza, but that certain government elements had helped to organize them. The government had stepped in to facilitate the demonstrations in order to allow Omanis, as well as foreign residents, enraged by the situation in Gaza to peacefully let off steam, rather than channel their pent-up anger elsewhere. When asked why the southern city of Salalah had been the site of the largest protests, Fahmy replied, "Because it's far from Muscat." [Note: Muscat hosted the GCC Summit from December 29-30, 2008 and accordingly prohibited demonstrations while Gulf leaders were in town. End Note.] 3. (C) The Egyptian COM further shared with the Ambassador that the head of the Palestinian diplomatic mission in Oman revealed that a candlelight vigil held in front of the Palestinian embassy in Muscat (ref B) was largely staged for local media. Participants in the vigil assembled quickly as the cameras arrived and disbursed shortly after the press departed. 4. (C) In discussing the surprise appearance of local reporters at the MFA following a meeting called by Omani Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusef bin Alawi for resident ambassadors of UN Security Council member nations (ref C), Fahmy confirmed that this was a government-orchestrated set-up. According to an Egyptian journalist working for a major Omani daily, the MFA asked selected media outlets the morning of the meeting to send senior journalists to a "press conference" at the MFA and further directed that these journalists should elicit statements from the U.S., British and French ambassadors. The Turkish ambassador, however, was given warning of the media ambush and thus came prepared with talking points to address the press. 5. (C) The Egyptian ambassador opined that the Omani government's actions on all these matters were taken to mollify public opinion. The government also likely felt it had to play catch-up after falling behind in responding to the strong local sentiments generated by non-stop graphic coverage of Gaza events in Arab print and TV outlets, he added. Fahmy stated that Egypt was unsure of where Oman stood vis-C -vis Hamas, particularly the position of Minister bin Alawi. [Note: Fahmy did not believe that bin Alawi's thoughts were representative of those of Sultan Qaboos. End Note.] Cairo suspected that Oman could unfortunately be leaning towards following Qatar's lead in its approach towards the situation in Gaza. GRAPPO To view the entire SMART message, go to URL http://repository.state.sgov.gov /_layouts/OSSSearchResults.aspx?k=messageid:f 11772d0-eb74-48c2-9cf1-a6dfacbb 4cdd |