US embassy cable - 04MUSCAT2121

UNCLAS MUSCAT 002121 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP (TROBERTS), NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY), NEA/P 
(FFINVER), INR/R/MR 
LONDON FOR GOLDRICH 
PARIS FOR ZEYA 
USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH 
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER/ASILAS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, KMDR, OIIP, MU, Public Affairs 
SUBJECT: MUSCAT MEDIA REACTION: AIDS, IMPERIALISM, AND MEDIA 
 
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Omani Response To World AIDS Day 
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1. Privately-owned Arabic daily "Al-Watan" carried an editorial 
on December 1 entitled "On The Occasion Of World AIDS Day": 
 
"On the occasion of world AIDS day, Arab countries are reviewing 
their health policies regarding AIDS and acknowledging that more 
needs to be done to confront and contain this deadly disease. One 
possible step is to introduce more transparency in the 
information available to the public about the disease. A second 
possible step would be to place special emphasis on preventive 
measures. Through these steps we believe that fewer people will 
contract the disease annually, and that over time the AIDS rate 
in Arab societies will decrease." 
 
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Will Vs. Power 
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2. Ibrahim al- Ma'amari wrote an editorial in the government- 
owned Arabic daily "Oman" on December 4 entitled "Who Will 
Change?": 
 
"For a lesson in the dangers of trying to change the Middle East, 
look no further than France.  Napoleon went to Egypt, declaring 
that he would change Middle Eastern culture, but despite his 
efforts the country remained the same.  Many years later, France 
embarked on a similar adventure in Algeria; but even after the 
deaths of one million Algerians, the country retained its local 
culture.  When the United States came to Iraq with visions of 
establishing a democracy, France opposed the intervention and 
came out against the principle of imposing culture by force. 
France learned from its previous lessons.  In the history of the 
Middle East, invaders and colonialists have occupied certain 
countries for hundreds of years, but they could never wipe out 
the original culture.  If change is to take place, it must occur 
naturally with the development and evolution of its people, 
rather than being imposed by force from the outside." 
 
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Good News On The News 
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3. The lead editorial in the government-owned Arabic daily "Oman" 
on December 5 was entitled "The Omani Media And Its Role In 
Serving Society": 
 
"The Omani media is being recognized for the important role it 
plays in Oman. Domestically, the media supports and protects the 
sense of heritage and identity within Oman, and it also plays a 
supportive role in local development initiatives. 
Internationally, the Omani media is regarded as a positive force 
for the spread of peace, international understanding, and human 
rights." 
 
BALTIMORE