US embassy cable - 04MUSCAT1991

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 001991 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR NEA, NEA/PI, NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY) 
STATE ALSO FOR INR/B 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, KMPI, KWMN, PREL, SOCI, MU, Domestic Politics 
SUBJECT: OMAN'S NEW MINISTER: "THE RIGHT WOMAN AT THE RIGHT 
TIME" 
 
REF: MUSCAT 01899 
 
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Dr. Sharifa bint Khalfan bin Nasser 
al-Yahyai, Oman's new Minister of Social Development, is 
still getting used to her new job.  Working late into the 
Ramadan nights to get up to speed on the workings of her 
ministry, she reflected on her sudden transition from 
academia to a senior position in government.  While 
understandably reluctant to talk shop until she has fully 
mastered her brief, Dr. Sharifa enthusiastically expounded on 
the growing role of women in Omani society, while retaining 
their prominent role in family life.  END SUMMARY. 
 
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SHOCK AND AWE 
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2.  (SBU) On November 7, the Ambassador and PolOff called on 
the new Minister of Social Development, Dr. Sharifa 
al-Yahyai.  Dr. Sharifa was appointed to the Ministry on 
October 20; subsequently, she has been busy getting to know 
what she calls the "basics" of the Ministry.  When asked 
about her appointment, Dr. Sharifa recalled being completely 
unaware of the pending announcement and confessed that, 
indeed, she had been "shocked."  Describing that fateful day 
in detail, Dr. Sharifa said she received a call from the 
Royal Diwan early in the morning on October 20 and was 
requested to report there (on the opposite end of Muscat from 
her residence) within 45 minutes, without any reason given 
for her presence.  She gleefully described racing her car 
with a police escort over 160 km/hour into Old Muscat. 
 
3. (SBU) Arriving at the Diwan a few minutes late, Dr. 
Sharifa said she knew only that something very good -- or 
very bad -- would require such a summons.  Moments later, Dr. 
Sharifa was informed of Sultan Qaboos' decision to honor her 
with the appointment as new Minister of Social Development. 
Dr. Sharifa recalled saying that she had to think about it, 
but was then quickly reminded that propriety hardly afforded 
her the option of declining the honor.  She recounted, "It 
was like freezing water had been dropped on me.  I couldn't 
sleep for three nights thinking about how I'm going to deal 
with these things."  Within two hours of her appointment, Dr. 
Sharifa was moved out of her modest housing near Sultan 
Qaboos University and into temporary quarters more suitable 
for a minister.  (Note: Several sources have said that new 
ministers receive signing bonuses anywhere from $1.5 to $2.5 
million in addition to a plot of land for building a new 
home.  End Note.) 
 
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THE RIGHT WOMAN FOR THE RIGHT JOB 
--------------------------------- 
 
4.  (U) When asked why she thought she was chosen, Dr. 
Sharifa said she believes Omani women are finally taking 
their rightful place in society.  "Women are getting 
positions to serve the right people at the right time."  She 
referred to Sultan Qaboos as visionary and pointed out that 
there are now a good number of female ministers, women of 
great maturity, respect and intelligence. 
 
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ALL IN GOOD TIME 
---------------- 
 
5.  (SBU) Dr. Sharifa declined to discuss her Ministry's work 
until she had more time to study the major issues, including 
the problem of the lengthy registration process for 
non-governmental organizations (NGO), and the current status 
of her Ministry's help to identify students for the U.S. 
Embassy's English-language micro-scholarship program.  When 
asked about her children or her academic years, she was 
engaging and enthusiastic.  Dr. Sharifa was also animated in 
recounting her trip to England last summer with her two 
children and her wish sometimes that she were still in 
school. 
 
6.  (U) Dr. Sharifa shared her thoughts about women's 
empowerment and gender studies, including the need for more 
critical analysis of women in society and their roles as 
mothers and wives.  Dr. Sharifa said that she believes some 
societies see women as second class citizens and that only 
through reading, writing about, and understanding their 
legitimate role will women attain full rights. 
 
7. (U) At the end of the meeting, Dr. Sharifa said she feels 
increasingly confident that she is approaching the time when 
she will be ready to "act on these things," pointing to the 
mounds of paperwork on her desk.  The Ambassador underscored 
the Embassy's close relationship with the Ministry and our 
commitment to continuing our partnership.  Dr. Sharifa 
agreed, but lamented the fact that she must first understand 
what's going on in her Ministry before getting down to the 
real work of helping the people. 
 
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COMMENT 
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8.  (SBU) Dr. Sharifa's is a very impressive individual who 
is already thinking in the long term.  Although she did not 
indicate at what point a new Under Secretary will help share 
the burden, she appears to be a quick study who will minimize 
the time it will take to parlay fourteen years in academia to 
her new career in public service. 
BALTIMORE