US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT950

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000950 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, INR/R/MR 
 
LONDON FOR GOLDRICH 
PARIS FOR ZEYA 
USCENTCOM FOR PLUSH 
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR ASILAS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, KMDR, OIIP, KISL, PGOV, PINS, MU, Public Affairs 
SUBJECT: SPECIAL MEDIA REACTION: PRAISE FOR THE PARDONS 
 
REF: MUSCAT 931 
 
1. Summary: All of Oman's major daily newspapers carried front- 
page coverage of the June 9 decree by Sultan Qaboos pardoning the 
thirty-one Ibadhi Muslims convicted last month of belonging to a 
secret organization and seeking to overthrow the state.  The 
 
SIPDIS 
newspapers universally lauded the Sultan for his decision, and 
published interviews with prominent officials including the Grand 
Mufti, the Deputy Prime Minister, and various local walis 
(governors). Selected translations appear below.  End summary. 
 
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Generous 
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2. The government-owned Arabic-language daily "Oman" ran a front- 
page editorial on June 10 entitled "Generosity Originates From 
Generous People": 
 
"When the citizens view these pardons in an objective and logical 
manner, they will acknowledge that His Majesty Sultan Qaboos 
displayed the qualities of leadership, forgiveness, and mercy. 
He is a role model for this great country.  At the end of the 
day, every citizen in Oman must remember the accomplishments of 
the last three decades, and steer away from wrong actions that 
serve no purpose.  The people of this country thank their father, 
and pray to God for his protection." 
 
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Humane 
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3. The privately-owned Arabic-language daily "al-Watan" issued an 
editorial on June 11 under the headline "The Humanity Of Omani 
Policy": 
 
"We can learn many lessons from the Sultan's wise pardons, not 
least of which is the fact that Oman's senior leadership embraces 
similar political thinking.  For example, Deputy Prime Minister 
Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al-Said provided additional clarity to 
the reasoning behind the Sultan's amnesty.  He assured the 
country that the pardons are clear proof of the ability of the 
Omani leadership to forgive human foibles, despite the gravity of 
the offenses committed.  These pardons represent opportunities to 
atone for mistakes, and to work honestly and loyally with the 
rest of society to advance Oman's development." 
 
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Noble 
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4. "Al-Shabiba," a privately-owned Arabic-language daily aimed 
primarily at youth audiences, ran a front-page article on June 11 
entitled "A Good Correction of Mistakes": 
 
"We thank the Sultan for his noble decision.  As pointed out by 
Shaykh Ahmed al-Khalili, the Grand Mufti of the Sultanate of 
Oman, anyone can make a mistake, but forgiveness should 
characterize our response.  He also urged the youth of Oman to 
follow the correct teachings of Islam, so as not to repeat these 
mistakes in the future." 
 
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Wise 
---- 
 
5. Also on June 11, the front page of "Oman" featured an 
editorial entitled "The Wisdom of Forgiveness": 
 
"The Sultan's pardon came faster than expected; many thought it 
would come during the 35th National Day celebrations in November. 
Not only the families of the convicted, but also all the people 
of Oman felt joy at this event, which reaffirmed the ability of 
the Omani soul to forgive and move forward.  Oman started its 
journey in the 1970s with forgiveness, and instances of violence 
were always countered by the wisdom of H.M. Sultan Qaboos. 
Congratulations to all the households in Oman, for their sons 
have returned home." 
 
BALTIMORE