This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000288 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, IIP/G/NEA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO SOCI MU
SUBJECT: OMAN ONLINE: SECTARIAN STRIFE, MAHATHIR INTERVIEW 
 
¶1. Summary: The Omani Internet message board "al-Sablah" is the 
liveliest and most comprehensive Arabic-language forum 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, this popular site nevertheless offers a worthwhile 
window into the hot topics and unvarnished views of the day. 
This edition of Oman Online contains the following topics: 
 
  -- Danger of Iraqi Civil War 
  -- Potential for Sectarian Strife in Oman 
  -- Mahathir Interview 
 
End summary. 
 
------------------------- 
Danger of Iraqi Civil War 
------------------------- 
 
¶2.  In the wake of the al-Askaria bombing and subsequent violence 
throughout Iraq, al-Sablah discussions wondered if Iraq is on the 
verge of civil war.  Many members supported the statement that 
"The Shiites, supported by the Persians, are behind what is 
happening in Iraq.  They want to fight every Iraqi who was a 
member of Ba'ath party."  Yet there was also some agreement with 
the conspiratorial notion that "hidden hands cause ethnic and 
sectarian riots in order to divide the Iraqis among themselves 
and weaken their control over the country."  Some members called 
for 
Saddam's return to power, writing that he "could control the 
country under a unified regime, and no one dared to provoke such 
conflicts."  The topic generated 1374 hits and 43 responses." 
 
-------------------------------------- 
Potential for Sectarian Strife in Oman 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  Fifty al-Sablah participants discussed whether Oman is 
vulnerable to the same sort of sectarian dangers prevalent in 
Iraq.  Forty percent believed that Oman is susceptible to 
sectarian and, in particular, tribal warfare.  Yet most 
participants pointed out that Omani history has no parallel to 
the sectarian clashes that have rocked Iraq and Lebanon.  Someone 
also cited the Omani government's role in protecting the practice 
of other faiths and ways of worship as a factor helping to ward 
off sectarianism.  Members highlighted what they saw as the 
peaceful and logical mindset of Omanis, especially concerning 
issues of safety and national security.  This topic generated 
1,727 hits and 23 responses. 
 
------------------ 
Mahathir Interview 
------------------ 
 
¶4.  Al-Sablah participants lauded a recent interview with former 
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamed, in which he 
expressed strong anti-American sentiment.  In his interview with 
Lebanon's "New TV," Mahathir called on Arab and Islamic countries 
to reduce their dependence on the U.S. dollar, saying that 
America uses its wealth for creating weapons to fight Islamic 
countries.  Al-Sablah participants supported the statement that 
Mahathir "is a brave man, and we wish our governments would 
follow what he says."  There was also much support for the 
statement that "we admire his personality, and no one can deny 
the progress and development that he has brought to his country." 
The topic generated 743 hits and 15 responses. 
 
BALTIMORE