US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT1360

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001360 
 
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: HURRICANES AND HIGH REGARD 
 
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: 
 
-- Views On Hurricane Katrina 
-- "A Country That Deserves Our Respect" 
 
End summary. 
 
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One Gulf Comments On Another 
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2. Hurricane Katrina absorbed the bulk of al-Sablah's attention 
over the past week, and contributors discussed many different 
aspects of the disaster.  When one member wrote, "Let the 
Americans get a taste of what they have done to the Iraqis and to 
the Muslims in Afghanistan," a large number of respondents 
quickly rose to the American victims' defense.  "The Arab people 
who gloated about the misfortune of the Americans should be 
ashamed of themselves," charged one author.  Another observed, 
"Many of you tend to remember only the bad deeds and forget the 
good ones.  Although we do not agree with some American policies, 
I appreciate the support of the American people during the 
catastrophic and horrific natural disasters that strike many 
people around the world."  Agreed another, "It is well-known that 
the Americans are the fastest to come to the aid of the 
afflicted." 
 
3. Participants also wondered about Oman's official reaction to 
the disaster.  One member posed the question, "What would you say 
if the Sultan decides to donate money to America?"  The vast 
majority of respondents indicated their approval: "Yes, we would 
welcome any donation of aid to the American victims or any other 
suffering human soul, regardless of their religion or ethnicity." 
 
4. Qatar's offer of $100 million in aid did not garner quite the 
same level of support from al-Sablah members.  "Many poor 
countries like Bangladesh have been hit by natural tragedies, but 
nobody supported them," claimed one writer.  Another asked, "Why 
are the Qataris donating to the Americans now, when they have not 
helped any other country before?"  Replied a third, "Qatar has 
the largest U.S. military base in the Gulf.  They are almost an 
American colony; hence, they had to make the donation."  A 
different participant argued, "Why not donate?  Let the people of 
the world know that Muslims can act to rescue their fellow men 
and women, and that we are not just a source for terrorism." 
 
5. Other members used the occasion to make political statements 
about their own societies.  Observed one writer, "The Arabs are 
living in dark ages because they lack democracy and freedom of 
expression.  Tyranny, the existence of a police state, and 
ignorant leaders are the real Katrina."  Contended another, "If 
the hurricane had struck us, it would have been better than the 
'Katrina' of oppression, poverty, and control." 
 
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R-E-S-P-E-C-T 
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6. One al-Sablah contributor penned a rare ode of praise to 
America: "A country where the president can be taken to court for 
inappropriate personal actions, or a country where a mother can 
strongly and publicly question the president about why her son 
was killed in a war without fear of being arrested, is a country 
that deserves our respect and admiration."  The few people who 
responded to the statement generally agreed with the author; 
"Although Islam teaches us a lot of things to improve our 
society, we find others like the Americans who implement these 
things mor