US embassy cable - 04MUSCAT2094

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 002094 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP (TROBERTS), NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY), NEA/P 
(FFINVER), IIP/G/NEA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, SOCI, MU, Public Affairs 
SUBJECT: OMAN ONLINE: TOPICS IN FREEDOM 
 
 
1. Summary:  The Omani Internet chat room "Sablat al-Arab" -- or 
simply "Al-Sablah" -- is the liveliest and most comprehensive 
Arabic-language forum for political and social discourse in the 
country, touching on issues and personalities rarely addressed in 
the conventional media.  While not totally free, nor wholly 
reflective of Omani public opinion, Al-Sablah nevertheless offers 
a worthwhile window into the hot topics and unvarnished views of 
the day.  This edition of Oman Online contains the following 
topics: 
 
--- Proposed Free Trade Agreement Between The U.S. And Oman 
--- Freedom Of The Press 
--- New Oman Journalists' Association 
 
End summary. 
 
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Freedom To Trade 
---------------- 
 
2. The proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United 
States and the Sultanate of Oman generated a large number of 
postings among Al-Sablah members, particularly with regards to 
its potential effect on the economic condition of Omani citizens. 
A few commentators viewed the FTA in a favorable light; one 
observed, "America did not select these countries [FTA partners] 
randomly.  Rather, there were certain criteria for joining an 
FTA, such as security, stability, potential tourism, and 
political harmony with neighboring countries."  Another FTA 
supporter noted, "America seeks to encourage vibrant economic 
competition within the Gulf, and this competition could lead an 
economic revival." 
 
3.  However, the majority of responses viewed the FTA with 
suspicion and skepticism.  "We do not believe that America wants 
to improve the lives of GCC citizens.  The whole agreement is 
nothing more than propaganda, designed to further open foreign 
markets for American products," wrote one member.  Opined 
another, "These agreements only serve to ensure America's 
presence in the region."  Another asked, "How will Oman benefit 
from this agreement?  Are we going to export our products to the 
United States?  Do the Americans need Omani products, and vice- 
versa?"  One of the more impassioned responses read, "This 
agreement is killing our dignity, and we do not support or desire 
any partnership with people who are killing our brothers in Iraq 
and Palestine.  Why don't the Arab countries unite to create a 
huge economic entity, which could overcome the abuses of 
foreigners?" 
 
----------------- 
Freedom Of Speech 
----------------- 
 
4. Another hot topic in Al-Sablah concerned freedom of the press 
in Oman, related to recent rumors about the government's supposed 
"ban" on two Omani writers from publishing or appearing on 
television.  The author of the topic wrote, "The Sultan issued a 
royal decree allowing the establishment of private media outlets, 
but what does the law really say?  Does it give us more freedom 
to say and write what we feel?  Is this freedom actually 
practiced, or is it merely ink on paper?" 
 
5.  Nearly all the responses doubted the existence of genuine 
media freedom.  One contributor claimed, "The laws concerning the 
media have not really changed for the past twenty years.  The 
only reason we are talking about this is because of the scandal 
concerning the banning of the two Omani writers, and we had to 
learn about the ban from regional newspapers!"  One hopeful 
member opined that "The new law might make us able to criticize 
the defects of the Majlis Al-Shura (Consultative Council) and 
Majlis Al-Dawla (State Council)," but most respondents agreed 
with the writer who penned, "The situation will never change in 
Oman until the people running this country have been changed from 
top to bottom." 
 
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Freedom To Assemble 
------------------- 
 
6. On a related note, Al-Sablah members also reacted to the news 
that the Ministry of Social Development officially approved the 
registration of the new Oman Journalists' Association.  Many 
forum participants questioned the role of such an association, 
fearing the heavy hand of the government.  "It is going to be run 
by the government since we have heard that the Board of Directors 
will be appointed by the Ministry of Information," wrote one 
member.  Another argued, "There will not be any difference 
between the Association and the Ministry of Information; indeed, 
the Association will be a continuation of it."  Other members 
questioned the Association's relationship with the extant Press 
Club, which is part of the Ministry of Information.  Moreover, 
some forum members felt that membership in the Association will 
be restricted:  "The Association should be a private, non-profit 
organization for all writers and journalists.  However, if you 
want to join the Association, you must obtain permission from the 
Ministry of Information.  How is that free?" 
 
BALTIMORE