US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT1473

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MUSCAT 001473 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
FOR NEA/ARPI 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, ECON, ELAB, MU, International Relations, Domestic Politics 
SUBJECT: SULTAN'S ANNUAL ADDRESS 
 
REF: 04 MUSCAT 1957 
 
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Summary 
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1. (SBU) Sultan Qaboos' October 1 annual address to the 
Majlis Oman, lasting under 15 minutes, focused almost 
entirely on the human resource development, making only a 
brief reference to foreign affairs and offering little in the 
way of new initiatives or reforms.  Popular hopes that 
long-unchanged government salaries might receive a boost were 
disappointed.  End summary. 
 
2. (U) By long-standing tradition, Sultan Qaboos addressed on 
October 1 the two houses of parliament known collectively as 
the Majlis Oman.  Government ministers, resident ambassadors, 
royal family members, senior military and police commanders, 
and newspaper editors-in-chief were also in attendance.  The 
full text of the speech is in para six. 
 
3. (SBU) In his speech last year (reftel), the Sultan covered 
both broad domestic and international themes while also 
focusing on specific issues, such as the newly formed 
Ministry of Tourism and his hopes for Palestine and Iraq.  By 
contrast, this year's speech focused on the government's 
concern for developing human resources, both through basic 
education and job training.  The Sultan noted that the 
government strives to provide vocational training for the 
economically disadvantaged, and encouraged Omanis who find 
work in the private sector to remain in their jobs so as not 
to undermine private sector confidence in the "Omanization" 
of the workforce.  Notably absent was any indication of a 
possible increase in government salaries, which have been 
stagnant for many years despite widespread indications this 
year of rising prices for basic foodstuffs and energy. 
 
4. (SBU) In his brief mention of foreign policy, the Sultan 
reiterated familiar themes regarding adherence to 
international commitments and pursuing a policy of 
non-interference, but made no mention of any other country by 
name.  There was also no reference to the arrests and trials 
earlier in the year of several dozen Ibadhi citizens accused 
of seeking to overthrow the state, but the Sultan extolled 
Oman's "culture of tolerance" while saluting the country's 
"alert security services." 
 
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Comment 
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5. (SBU) This speech did not indicate which particular 
emphasis could be expected during the next budget cycle, as 
we saw with 2004's focus on developing tourism, which 
accordingly witnessed dramatic investment in the past year. 
By making no reference to any foreign state or international 
body, as he helpfully did with Iraq in 2004, the Sultan also 
passed up an opportunity for Oman to register its subtle 
interest or concern on a given issue -- such as Iran's 
dealings with the IAEA, Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, and 
the approaching referendum in Iraq.  It is less surprising 
that the Sultan was mum about government salaries, though 
popular expectations may rise again during the impending 
Ramadan season and with the January announcement of the 2006 
state budget. 
 
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The Full Text 
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6. (U) The complete text of the Sultan's address to the 
Majlis Oman, as provided in English by the Oman News Agency, 
is below.  (Begin text) 
 
Praise be to God who has bestowed His grace and given his 
bounty.  Praise be to God who has predetermined and guided, 
and may blessings and peace be upon the chosen Prophet. 
 
Dear citizens, 
 
As we celebrate the march of our blessed Renaissance, with 
God's will, we recall the achievements made in various 
spheres in this blessed land which were aimed at realizing 
one noble goal - the building of the modern Omani who has 
faith in God, preserves his identity, keeps abreast of 
up-to-date techniques, science, culture and arts, who takes 
advantage of the bounty of modern civilization in order to 
build his country and develop his society. 
 
At the same time, we reaffirm our resolve to continue to work 
for more progress in the field of development and 
construction, prosperity, security and stability, with God's 
help. 
 
The previous period has witnessed, through the implementation 
of various plans and programs, the accomplishment of the 
goals of the blessed Renaissance which we have always set our 
sights on since the first day it dawned. 
 
They are inspired by four fundamental principles, which are: 
1. The development of human resources; 2. The development of 
natural resources; 3. The building of the infrastructure; 4. 
The establishment of the state institutions. 
 
Praise be to God, during the comprehensive development march 
and with determination, diligence, patience and persistence, 
many achievements have been possible in each of these areas 
in which we take pride, particularly in the field of the 
development of human resources. 
 
We did and still do firmly believe that the development of 
these resources is the cornerstone of the development process 
in any society because the human being as we have always 
stressed on different occasions is the ultimate goal and aim 
of development as well as being its means and its producer. 
 
As long as society succeeds in raising, developing, 
qualifying, training, enhancing skills and diversifying the 
experience of its human resources, success is guaranteed in 
building a modern state with progress in all aspects of life. 
 
We thank God the Almighty for granting us success in 
spreading education to all levels and in all its many 
branches, accompanied by training programs which are provided 
by the government and private educational institutions to 
which the government sends our sons and daughters to qualify 
in different specializations  This has provided them with 
greater and more opportunities to acquire knowledge and 
practical training, which in turn has prepared them to enter 
the labor market and to contribute to the building of society. 
 
In this respect, we would like to point out that the 
government has made great efforts over the previous period to 
provide opportunities for the qualification and training of 
Omani youths, boys and girls. 
 
However, we have observed through our continuous follow-up 
and monitoring of the successive stages of social development 
that some members of society who are financially incapable of 
qualifying themselves and developing skills to avail 
themselves of suitable job opportunities. 
 
Thus, it has become necessary to assist them to obtain the 
qualifications and training they need. 
 
We therefore instruct our government to set up a suitable 
mechanism through which assistance can be provided to this 
sector enabling them to obtain useful occupations.  Thereby 
God willing, they can benefit from the job opportunities that 
are available. 
 
We would like to reiterate that in order to realize our hopes 
and aspirations and for our plans and programs to succeed, 
cooperation is imperative between all of our citizens, led by 
the private sector and the various organs and departments of 
the government, in order to carry out these plans and future 
programs in a spirit of responsibility and awareness. 
 
Such cooperation would yield more progress, advancement, 
growth and prosperity.  We are very pleased with the sincere 
desire demonstrated by the private sector to provide job 
opportunities for citizens and we call on it to intensify its 
initiative in this regard. 
 
We also urge Omani youth, both male and female, to take 
advantage of these opportunities and endeavor to settle and 
stay in an available job in order to gain experience and 
skills that will be of mutual benefit, and in the public 
interest. 
 
This will prove that the Omani worker is serious, dedicated, 
punctual and capable of shouldering responsibilities.  Only 
through this the Omanization policies and plans will bear 
fruit, God willing. 
 
Dear citizens, 
 
The road is long and the goal is far.  However, we are 
confident that this dear country has the necessary cultural 
and historical elements, and hopes and aspirations for the 
future, that will enable it, God willing, to implement its 
domestic and foreign policies, and the principles of which 
are now clearly defined, praise be to God. 
We believe that non-interference in the internal affairs of 
other states, respect of charters and conventions, and 
compliance with international law will, without doubt, lead 
the world to a more harmonious state which safeguards the 
interests of all nations. 
 
It is something that we have always called for through 
dissemination of the culture of tolerance, peace, cooperation 
and understanding between all nations.  We also hope that 
this will lead to the eradication of many causes behind 
violence and instability. 
Dear citizens, 
 
To conclude, we would like to salute and extend our greetings 
and appreciation to our gallant armed forces and alert 
security services for their efforts and dedication in 
carrying out their assigned duties, affirming that we will 
continue to extend our care and attention to them. 
 
We pray for the Almighty's assistance to make our renaissance 
a success. 
 
May God bless you and may peace be upon you, and the mercy of 
God and His blessings. (End text) 
BALTIMORE