SULTAN EMBARKS ON ANNUAL MEET THE PEOPLE TOUR

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000957

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR MU
SUBJECT: SULTAN EMBARKS ON ANNUAL MEET THE PEOPLE TOUR


1. (SBU) On October 12, while attempting to arrange meetings
between the Ambassador and Minister of Transport and
Communications, the Political Assistant learned that the Sultan,
the Royal Court and several ministers had on that day embarked on
the Sultan's annual Meet the People Tour. The Sultan's departure
for the tour has since been publicly announced. The purpose of the
tour is to allow local leaders and ordinary citizens to discuss
their concerns with the Sultan. The tour begins this year at the
Seeh al Makarim royal camp in the northern region of Batinah Coast
and is expected to be at least a month long. After spending a week
on Batinah, the Sultan is expected to travel to the royal camp in
Musandam. Additional destinations are yet to be disclosed.




2. (SBU) News that the Sultan had left for the tour dispels rumors
that the tour would be cancelled due to H1N1 concerns. It is
possible that cancelling the tour had been discussed among
government officials, but the leveling off of the H1N1 infection
rate may have led to the tour proceeding as planned. The practical
implications of the tour include the necessity of visitors seeking
an audience with the Sultan to be transported to the royal camp.
Notably, in the past, newly arrived ambassadors have travelled to
the royal camp to present their credentials.
Schmierer