US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT1103

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001103 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, IIP/G/NEA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, SOCI, MU, Public Affairs 
SUBJECT: OMAN ONLINE: IEDs, INTERFERENCE, AND IMMIGRATION 
 
 
1. Summary:  The Omani Internet message boards "al-Sablah" and 
"al-Majarra" are the liveliest and most comprehensive Arabic- 
language fora 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, these popular sites 
nevertheless offer a worthwhile window into the hot topics and 
unvarnished views of the day.  This edition of Oman Online 
contains the following topics: 
 
-- Poll On The London Bombings 
-- God vs. America 
-- GCC Naturalization 
 
End summary. 
 
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A Double-Decker Poll 
-------------------- 
 
2. Al-Sablah's latest unscientific poll asked two questions: "Do 
you approve of the London bombings, and who do you think will 
benefit from them?"  Out of 140 respondents, 102 (73%) expressed 
opposition to the attacks while 69 (49%) believed "the Jews will 
benefit the most from the bombings."  By way of explanation, one 
author wrote, "Now the Americans and the British will have a 
legal excuse to discriminate against Arabs and Muslims, using the 
same excuse: fighting terrorism."  Voicing the feelings of the 
73%, one contributor observed, "If it is true that somebody 
benefited from the bombings, it is equally true that many more 
were losers.  A lot of people were killed and injured."  Another 
pleaded, "No more killing people, no more terrorism, and no more 
freedom down the drain!" 
 
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My Money's On God 
----------------- 
 
3. A forum member posed the question, "What do Arabs have to fear 
from Americans interfering in the internal policies of their 
countries?  After all, who is stronger: God or America?"  The 
topic generated many responses, some of which attempted to 
explain the apparent submissive nature of Arab leaders.  "Nobody 
fears America, but Arab leaders fear that their power will be 
taken away if they don't comply with American demands.  Look what 
happened to Saddam," offered one writer.  Agreed another, "Muslim 
leaders are scared that they will lose the power to force the 
Ummah (nation) to do what they want." 
 
4. The topic provoked an unanticipated wave of praise for the 
United States, including the following declaration: "America is a 
perfect country.  It reached this position of power in the world 
through the hard and honest work of its people.  The people 
believe in democracy, and the democratic system that exists in 
the U.S. is unmatched anywhere else."  Another wrote, "We should 
take advantage of the positive aspects of American life - like 
technology and education - rather than calling for its 
destruction." 
 
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Have Passport, Will Travel? 
--------------------------- 
 
5. Immigration and naturalization issues surfaced in al-Sablah 
when a member asked, "What would you do if you were granted the 
nationality of another GCC country?"  Some respondents felt this 
was a strange idea, with one stating, "Nobody wants another 
nationality, and the people who would accept it are traitors." 
But many disagreed; "I don't see any harm in accepting the 
nationality of another country, particularly if that country is 
the UAE," noted a writer.  Another revealed, "If I could not get 
a job in my own country, I would seek employment elsewhere - even 
if it meant becoming a citizen of another nation."  One 
contributor summed up, "Becoming a naturalized citizen of another 
country is not a betrayal.  The real traitors are those officials 
who misuse their power to make others' lives miserable." 
 
BALTIMORE