VZCZCXRO2088
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHMS #0473/01 1451204
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 251205Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0433
INFO ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0021
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0023
RUEHMS/AMEMBASSY MUSCAT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000473 
 
SIPDIS 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP 
NEA/PPD 
NEA/PI 
INR/R/MR 
NEA/SA/EX/PMO 
LONDON FOR NEA WATCHER 
PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER 
FOREIGN PRESS CENTER FOR NEA WATCHER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP KPAO KMDR MU
SUBJECT: OMAN MEDIA REACTION 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  In a highly unusual press appearance, H.E. Yousuf bin 
Alawi, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, gave a broad 
overview of Omani foreign policy to two local dailies on May 23.  The 
Minister reiterated Oman's longstanding policy strategy of 
non-confrontation, then touched on issues including relations with 
the U.S. and Iran.  On May 24, government daily "Oman" commented that 
the Minister's speech clarified "inaccuracies" held by other 
countries.  On May 19, private daily "Al Watan" called the meeting 
between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu a "dialog of the 
deaf".  On May 25, "Oman" stated that the Sultanate rejects Israel's 
expansion into Jerusalem, quoting Yousuf bin Alawi as saying that 
Israel's remarks "will not convince anyone."  END SUMMARY. 
 
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NOT REQUIRED TO FOLLOW U.S. POLICY 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  On May 24, government daily "Oman" (circulation 38,000) and 
private daily "Al Shabiba" (circulation 20,000) published an 
interview with Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yousuf bin 
Alawi on a broad range of Omani foreign policy issues.  In this 
exceptionally rare press availability, the Minister stated, "The 
Sultanate is not required to follow U.S. policy," when explaining the 
Sultanate's decision not to attend last year's AGCC meeting on Iran. 
Additionally, bin Alawi acknowledged Oman's base access agreement 
with the U.S., which is "known to all," adding that Oman had not 
concluded any new deals for foreign bases in the country.   Block 
quotes from the interview follow: 
 
On U.S.-Oman relations: 
"Asked about the Sultanate's relationship with the U.S., bin Alawi 
affirmed that the two countries are bound by mutual interests.  'This 
doesn't mean that we will ally with one party against another.  We 
also have common interests with others, as well, and Washington does 
realize this,' he furthered. 
 
"He said that the Sultanate did not attend the meeting which former 
Secretary of State Rice had called to rally the AGCC and the Security 
Council against the Iranian nuclear issue and Sudan. 'The Sultanate 
is not required to follow the U.S. policy,' he added." 
 
On Oman-Iran relations: 
"Speaking of the Sultanate and Iran, bin Alawi said the two countries 
are cooperating economically by sharing the Bukha or 'Hinjam' oil 
field, a marine field shared jointly by the Sultanate and Iran but 
extending far into the Iranian territorial waters." 
 
On Egypt-Iran relations: 
"Yousuf bin Alawi has denied any intermediary role by the Sultanate 
between Egypt and Iran to ease their political clashes." 
 
On terrorism: 
"The justice being pursued by His Majesty the Sultan's government has 
guaranteed a dignified life for all citizens. The culture and 
environment of the Omani man prevent him from sponsoring terrorism." 
 
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OMAN WILL WORK FOR STABILITY AND PEACE 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. In a column on May 24 following the Foreign Minister's interview, 
government daily "Oman" said that the interview clarified 
"inaccuracies...of certain parties" and reinforced the fact that Oman 
will not join alliances against any one party.  According to "Omani 
Honesty and Keeping Everything in its Place": 
 
"Yousif bin Alawi's words are important, because the region is going 
through many developments that sometimes lead to incorrect 
interpretations and inaccurate explanations.  These inaccuracies come 
from the interests of certain parties or groups which contradict the 
Sultanate's principals.  The Sultanate has always had a vision that 
may not necessarily match the points of view or the circumstances of 
another country.  This does not mean that Oman cannot enter into 
bilateral or multilateral dialogue.  The foreign minister was clear 
that Oman will work for stability and peace but 'will never engage in 
any axis against any party.'" 
 
---------------------- 
"DIALOGUE OF THE DEAF" 
 
MUSCAT 00000473  002 OF 002 
 
 
---------------------- 
 
¶4.  On May 19, private Arabic daily "Al Watan" (circulation 42,000) 
commented that the meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister 
Netanyahu achieved little.  According to "Obama and Netanyahu, 
Dialogue of the Deaf": 
 
"Finally, the long-awaited meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu 
and President Obama has taken place.  We heard the anticipated calls 
to stop the settlements from President Obama and not from the Prime 
Minister.  The simplest possible description of the meeting is to 
call it a 'dialogue of the deaf'.  The President called on Israel to 
accept the principle of a two-state solution and to stop settlement 
activity, and Netanyahu talked about the continuation of settlement 
and Iran.  In the end, this was all we could have expected from this 
meeting." 
 
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THE SULTANATE HAS REJECTED ISRAEL'S ONGOING ATTEMPTS 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶5. On May 25, government daily "Oman" criticized Israel for expanding 
its control over Jerusalem, quoting Yousuf bin Alawi remarks that 
Israel's statements on the issue will not convince anyone.  According 
to "Israeli Practices Close the Road in Front of Peace": 
 
"All Arab States have affirmed through the Arab Peace Initiative 
their willingness to reach a comprehensive and lasting settlement for 
the Palestinians.  However, it is clear that the government of 
Benjamin Netanyahu has chosen to maneuver and procrastinate.  There 
is a discrepancy between his official statements and the acts of the 
authorities in the occupied Palestinian territories and Jerusalem. 
The Sultanate has clearly rejected the Israelis' ongoing attempts to 
'Judiaize' Jerusalem, whether through demolition of Palestinian homes 
or through the continuation of settlement activity.  The Omani 
Foreign Minister H.E. Yousuf bin Alawi has stated that the remarks of 
the Israeli prime minister on Jerusalem 'will not convince anyone in 
the world and will not change the position of Jerusalem for the 
Muslim world.'" 
GRAPPO