VZCZCXRO8798
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHMS #0623 1661209
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 151211Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0530
INFO ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0028
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0030
RUEHMS/AMEMBASSY MUSCAT

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000623 
 
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 anticipation of the release of the Trafficking in 
Persons report, commentary on June 10 in private daily "Al Watan" 
called labor relations in the Sultanate "balanced".  The article 
raised last year's TIP report, blaming "political gains" as the 
U.S.'s motivation for the low-ranking.  On June 13, "Al Watan" ran a 
commentary by a Ministry of Manpower employee urging the private 
sector to adhere to the Omani Labor law and anti-Trafficking law.  On 
June 15, "Al Watan" called Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech a "slap 
in the face" to the Arab world and international community.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
--------------------------- 
"VINDICATING FALSE REPORTS" 
--------------------------- 
 
¶2.  Anticipating the global release of the Trafficking in Persons 
report, private daily "Al Watan" (circulation 42,000) on June 10 
commented that labor relations in Oman are "balanced", recalling that 
"influential countries" had previously exaggerated trafficking 
problem for political gain.  According to "Cooperation and 
Fundamental Rights in the Workplace": 
 
"Despite the presence of millions of expatriate workers in the 
region, labor relations have always been balanced.  Rights are 
protected by rules and regulations. Some influential countries have 
tried to exaggerate problems faced by foreign workers for political 
ends and to exert pressure.  Following clarifications and the 
vindication of false reports, those countries have revoked their 
positions and returned to 'rationality.'  It would be better if 
international organizations such as the ILO would carry out the 
monitoring assignments of such issues to fairly explore the extent of 
cooperation." 
 
------------------------------------------- 
"PRIVATE SECTOR ESTABLISHMENTS MUST COMPLY" 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. On June 13, "Al Watan" carried a commentary by a Ministry of 
Manpower employee and professor on the Ministry's efforts to combat 
trafficking.  The article builds a case for the Ministry's 
contribution to fighting TIP, referring to its awareness campaign and 
calling for private sector compliance.  According to "The Work 
Environment and Workers' Rights": 
 
"On November 24, 2008, His Majesty issued the anti-Trafficking in 
Persons Law which addresses all forms of worker exploitation, Omani 
and non-Omani.  The Ministry of Manpower has publicized in an ongoing 
campaign requirements for appropriate working conditions, as well as 
health and safety regulations. Private sector establishments must 
comply with the anti-Trafficking Law and the Ministry of Manpower's 
instructions regarding proper working conditions stipulated in the 
Omani Labor Law." 
 
-------------------------------------- 
"A HARSH RESPONSE, A SLAP IN THE FACE" 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  On June 15, "Al Watan" commented that Prime Minister Netanyahu's 
speech in response to President Obama's two-state initiative was a 
"fantasy" and a "slap in the face".  According to "The Speech... A 
Slap": 
 
"Netanyahu promised nothing in his speech regarding peace while 
asking for everything from the world and Arabs.  His speech listed 
many difficult conditions that make the establishment of the 
Palestinian state impossible.  What he introduced in his speech 
violated all international laws and understandings relevant to 
previous resolutions.  It was also contrary to Obama's demands to 
accept the two-state solution.  Netanyahu's speech is a fantasy.  It 
is a harsh response, a slap in the face." 
HURTADO