US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT763

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000763 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PI, NEA/PPD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMPI, KPAO, SCUL, SENV, MU, MEPI 
SUBJECT: "NO OBSTACLES" TO MEPI PARTNERSHIP 
 
 
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Summary 
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1. (U) Alina Romanowski, Director of the Office of the Middle 
East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), visited Oman May 3-4 to meet 
with top officials in the Ministries of Social Development, 
Higher Education, Education, and Foreign Affairs regarding MEPI 
programming.  The positive tone of each meeting, and the requests 
for additional MEPI support conveyed by the officials, illustrate 
the progress MEPI has made in Oman and the opportunity for 
expansion.  End summary. 
 
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High-Level Access 
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2. (U) Accompanied by the Ambassador, MEPI Abu Dhabi Regional 
Office Director Hans Wechsel, and MEPI Education Manager 
Catherine Bourgeois, Alina Romanowski met with the Minister of 
Social Development Dr. Sharifa al-Yahyai, the Minister of Higher 
Education Dr. Rawiya al-Busaidi, the Minister of Education Yahya 
al-Sulaimi, and the Under Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi during her two-day visit to Oman. 
 
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"No Obstacles" For MEPI 
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3. (SBU) Although some Omanis continue to view MEPI with 
suspicion, the tone of each meeting was very positive, no doubt 
based on the solid track record MEPI has established on the 
ground in Oman to this point.  Both Ms. Romanowski and her 
interlocutors were able to point to specific MEPI programs 
already in place in Oman and the region.  The Minister of Social 
Development referenced MEPI Small Grants recipients in Jaalan 
Bani Bu Hassan and Al-Qabil, while acknowledging that local NGO's 
could certainly improve their relationships with international 
counterparts. 
 
4.  (SBU) During her meeting with the Minister of Higher 
Education, Ms. Romanowski highlighted the University Linkages 
Program underway at Muscat's Mazoon College.  The Minister of 
Education -- who heads a ministry normally characterized as one 
of the more conservative in the country -- went so far as to say 
there were "no obstacles" to continuing MEPI education projects 
in Oman, specifically the Partnership Schools Program.  MFA U/S 
Sayyid Badr advocated a more aggressive stance on MEPI's part in 
terms of suggesting programs for Omani entities.  He cited 
Omanis' traditional reserve, rather than opposition to change, as 
explaining the reticence of some ministries to pursue an even 
more robust relationship with MEPI. 
 
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Requests for Assistance 
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5. (U) Some of the Ministers came prepared with lists of 
additional requests for the MEPI office.  Dr. Sharifa made 
repeated pleas for assistance with capacity building, 
particularly in the area of women's empowerment.  Dr. Rawiya 
pulled out a piece of paper on which she had catalogued the four 
greatest needs of her ministry:  quality assurance mechanisms, 
policy planning, project management and evaluation, and 
coordination with other ministries.  Finally, the Minister of 
Education commented on the GLOBE program, and expressed his 
interest in Oman's participation. 
 
6.  (U) Comment:  One conclusion to be drawn from these meetings 
is that some of the very highest-level officials in Oman's 
government have done their homework on MEPI, and are willing to 
be a partner with the U.S. in a multitude of areas.  We will 
continue to pursue these opportunities, coordinating closely with 
MEPI Washington and the regional MEPI office in Abu Dhabi. 
 
BALTIMORE