VZCZCXRO5957
RR RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMS #0734/01 2111327
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 301327Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8553
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000734 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, DRL, G/TIP 
STATE PASS USTR FOR AROSENBERG 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB PHUM PGOV PREL MU
 
SUBJECT: EDITORIAL CHALLENGES OMAN'S TIP RANKING 
 
 
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Summary 
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¶1. (U) An English language daily editorial criticized the USG 
for ranking Oman as a Tier III country in its 
trafficking-in-persons (TIP) report and claimed that TIP 
allegations regarding Oman were not factually supported.  The 
editorial acknowledged, however, that more should be done in 
Oman to combat trafficking.  The media's rare address of this 
issue opens a window for further public dialogue on promoting 
anti-TIP efforts.  End summary. 
 
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Findings "Absurd" 
----------------- 
 
¶2. (U) On July 27, the "Oman Tribune" published an editorial 
contesting the USG's classification of Oman as a Tier III 
country in its latest "Annual Report on Trafficking in 
Persons."  Entitled "Why the Sultanate?," the editorial 
challenged the Department's perceived characterization of the 
Omani government as "disinterested" in combating TIP.  While 
acknowledging that there are TIP issues in Oman, the 
editorial nevertheless labeled the Department's finding that 
Oman had "shown no commitment to meeting international 
standards" as "absurd." 
 
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Where's the Evidence? 
--------------------- 
 
¶3. (U) The editorial criticized the report for failing to 
provide specific information to support its assertions.  "Are 
these accusations credible?," asked the English language 
daily.  "What is the evidence behind the claims made by the 
State Department?  Is this report the result of serious 
investigation or is it simply a superficial and ill-informed 
slur on Oman?" 
 
¶4. (U) The editorial cited the withholding of passports by 
employers as one claim that lacked specifics.  Noting that 
the Ministry of Manpower had issued a November 2006 circular 
reaffirming the illegality of this practice, the newspaper 
chastised the report for providing "no evidence...to support 
this allegation."  The daily also challenged the report's 
assertion that Oman may be a destination country for forced 
prostitution.  "What evidence stands behind the suggestion 
that such trafficking 'may' be taking place?  As the report 
stands this is purely speculative: even the authors of the 
report are unable to make it a firm statement rather than a 
mere possibility." 
 
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Look Who's Talking 
------------------ 
 
¶5. (U) The daily called into question the USG's approach to 
addressing global TIP concerns.  "Publishing misleading and 
defamatory reports about the work of other countries, 
especially your friends, in this global effort hardly seems a 
sensible way to encourage effective cooperation," noted the 
editorial.  The opinion piece also contrasted the report's 
findings with those from a 2006 TIP-related report issued by 
the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, which characterized Oman's 
level of trafficking as "low," as compared to the U.S., which 
was "very high."  On this basis, the editorial pondered, 
"What moral or political authority entitles the U.S. 
government to pass public comment on Oman and its alleged 
failure to meet international standards?" 
 
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On the Brighter Side... 
----------------------- 
 
¶6. (U) In spite of these criticisms, the editorial noted that 
human trafficking is a serious problem and of concern to 
Oman.  It further acknowledged that Oman could be doing more 
to "crack down" on such violations through high-profile 
prosecutions and stiff penalties on violators.  The editorial 
also conceded that the USG was "right" to be concerned about 
TIP. 
 
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Opening Dialogue 
---------------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) Comment:  The fact that the opinion piece did not 
 
MUSCAT 00000734  002 OF 002 
 
 
run in the newspaper's Arabic sister publication is a clear 
sign that the missive was intended for a Western audience. 
Nevertheless, despite the rantings by the editors of this 
small but influential English daily, the editorial provides 
the opportunity to raise awareness and open dialogue on an 
issue that has not to fore received any significant press 
coverage (Note: While coverage has been scant, the Arabic 
language daily "Shabbiba," which caters to a younger 
audience, did publish the Ambassador's op-ed piece on 
trafficking in persons in its May 16, 2007 edition.  End 
note.)  Though critical of the USG's findings, the editors 
did acknowledge that the issue of TIP was a "serious one," 
and partially confirmed that the problems of prostitution and 
passport withholding really do exist in Oman.  The paper 
encouragingly called upon the Omani government to respond to 
these assertions in the interest of opening "public 
discussion" on the issue. 
 
¶8. (SBU) With USG assistance, the Omani government continues 
its work on developing an anti-trafficking law.  Comments 
provided by an expert contracted by G/TIP have been 
well-received by Oman's anti-trafficking committee, and the 
MFA is planning to hold an internal anti-TIP workshop in 
September with officials from the relevant ministries and law 
enforcement agencies.  End comment. 
 
GRAPPO