OMAN MEDIA REACTION: U.S. CODEL HAILED AS MODEL OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000122 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: U.S. CODEL HAILED AS MODEL OF "PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY" ¶1. SUMMARY: In an unprecedented move, the Government of Oman, through the state-owned daily "Oman", signaled deep satisfaction with the recent visit of the U.S. Congressional delegation led by Representative Nita Lowey. The media also continued to criticize Israel while offering support to Iraqi election efforts. END SUMMARY. -------------- Congressional Visit a "Model" of Diplomacy -------------- ¶2. On February 18, state Arabic daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000) used its lead editorial to laud the visit of the congressional delegation headed by Rep. Nita Lowey to Oman, saying that such visits enhance bilateral communication on a parliamentary level and develop better understanding and interaction The decision to so prominently showcase a U.S. visit is unprecedented and is likely a signal - and a strong one - of genuine appreciation by the Omani government for this and other recent visits. The column highlighted the visit, along with a local project promoting Oman's international maritime history, as high-profile examples of thoughtful and successful intercultural communication and public diplomacy. "Successful and Effective Means of Communications Between Peoples" said: "There are many effective and successful means to achieve communication and interaction between people on more dynamic levels, with less reliance on protocols and the traditional rules of diplomacy. In this framework, parliamentary diplomacy plays an important and influential role in managing and developing relations between countries. The Sultanate has witnessed a prominent model in this field with the visit of a delegation from the American Congress, which conferred with H.H. Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers. This visit was a clear example of parliamentary diplomacy, in which parliamentary institutions take on the role of deepening relations with other countries through mutual visits and joint activities. The delegation expressed their gratitude toward Oman and its positive role in dealing with developments taking place in the region." -------------- Israel's World Image: "Alarming" -------------- ¶3. On February 14, private daily "al-Watan" (circulation 42,000) claimed that criticism of Israeli practices toward the Palestinians was universal and could no longer be covered up, call this factor "The Danger That is Worrying Israel": "With the continuation of the Palestinian suffering, the world now witnesses aggressive practices against the Palestinian people in particular and Arabs in general that pro-Israel lobbies in the West can no longer cover up. An Israeli report warned that Israel's image in the world is that of a colonial entity characterized by Nazi practices and racial discrimination. The waves of criticism are coming from everywhere to pour into the heart of Israel, and they are alarming and worrying their leaders". -------------- -------------- "Sincere Arab Support" is a must for Iraq and the region -------------- -------------- MUSCAT 00000122 002 OF 002 ¶4. On February 22, "Oman" wrote that as Iraq prepares for elections, there are elements working in opposition. Therefore, "Supporting Iraq is in the Iraqi, Arab, and Regional Best Interest": "In the preparations for the Iraqi election and amid serious attempts to lay the foundations of a new Iraqi system based on a democratic framework (while also maintaining the unity and cohesion of Iraq and its people),there is vast support among the Iraqi people. However, there are other parties, both Iraqi and non Iraqi, that do not want political stability and security in Iraq, because it is not in their interest. Therefore, it is neither strange nor surprising that the conflict in Iraq is taking another bitter and bloody turn. Iraq is witnessing an escalation of violence in order to disrupt the voting process in the country. Sincere Arab support to promote stability, rapprochement, and understanding among all Iraqis is vital for the stability of the region and the Arab Gulf." Schmierer