Omani minister responsible for defence affairs decorates personnel with medals of long service, good conduct

Oman's armed forces to continue developing capabilities

Oman slams US human trafficking report

The Sultanate of Oman has rejected and protested the latest US State Department’s report on Human Trafficking citing the Sultanate for the second year among countries that have made no efforts to fight this global issue. It said that the faulty report doesn’t tell the truth, and does badly to the Sultanate, and shows the short sightedness of the other party. Besides, it doesn’t reflect the real situation lived by the Omani citizens and expatriates in the Sultanate.

The above had been quoted by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud al Busaidi, Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry, in reply to journalists’ questions regarding the Sultanate’s stand on the above noted US State Department’s report and measures taken by the Sultanate in this regard.

He said that he has met with the US ambassador to the Sultanate and handed over to him an official protest note, informing the Sultanate’s rejection of the misleading information and incorrect allegations mentioned in the report which contradict the good living reality enjoyed by people in the Sultanate, thanks be to God.

He added that everyone knows that the Sultanate is renowned for its serious co-operation with the international community to combating crime and that the competent authorities in the Sultanate are very serious on cracking down, arresting, and punishing perpetrators of all crimes and not only human trafficking which have become a global issue.

He cited the human trafficking cases as limited and individual as compared to many other countries. The Sultanate with its different institutions, is providing the crime victims with relevant care, sympathizing the human dimension of the problem, sympathizes with victims in accordance with tradition, culture and morals of the Omani society which rejects defame and violating human dignity, he stressed.

During his statement, the Foreign Ministry Secretary General, said that crime ratio in the Sultanate as it is internationally known, is considerably low due to the enforced policies, laws and procedures and due to the Omani people respect of their religion, traditions and solid values. Therefore, the Sultanate doesn’t find any justification for such faulted and unjust report.

Considering the Sultanate’s good historical relations with the United States of America, it hopes that officials at the US State Department may revise the report to reflect the true image, secured and stabilized situation in the Sultanate to correct the Sultanate’s related information and highlight its distinguished record in this regard to maintain such relations and avoid damaging them by such report, the Foreign Ministry’s Secretary General affirmed.

The Sultanate has long, initiated procedures of issuing legislations on human trafficking, he added.

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Abdulrahman Al Attiyah has supported the rejection letter handed over by HE Sayyid Badr Bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry, to the US ambassador to the Sultanate.

The Sultanate has rejected the content of the report by US State Department on human trafficking in the Sultanate.

In a statement to Oman Tribune, Attiyah said the GCC supports the Sultanate’s rejection of the false allegations made in the report. Sultanate’s stand reflects its strong and clear vision, he added.

"These unjustified reports have political motives. I call upon the US State Department to review its unfriendly policies towards GCC countries," he said.

On the GCC nuclear program, Attiyah said it was progressing as per schedule. A report on the program will be presented at the GCC summit to be held in Muscat late this year.

The Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council during their 107th Ministerial Meeting in this resort city of Jeddah expressed deep regret at the false information released by a report issued by the U.S. State Department recently accusing the GCC countries of human trading. The statement said the information aims at exerting pressure on the GCC states for political purposes, calling on the U.S. State Department to review its unfriendly policies towards the GCC state members.

Meanwhile, Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib al-Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defense Affairs decorated a number of officers and non-commissioned officers and personnel of the Sultan of Oman Artillery with the medals of long service and good conduct in recognition of their sincerity in performing the sacred nationally duty.

He also paid a field tour at the Sultan of Oman Artillery where he familiarized himself with the fixed exhibition for arms and technical apparatuses in use and the various utilities.

He was also briefed on the tasks and roles they shoulder to keep abreast of the progress witnessed by the Sultan’s Armed forces under the prosperous reign of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Supreme Commander of the Armed forces.

The occasion was attended by Maj. General Said bin Nassir al-Salmi, Commander of the Royal Army of Oman, Brigadier Khamis bin Ali al-Shidi, Commander of the Sultan of Oman Artillery, Brigadier Habib bin Mohammed al-Baluchi, Director-General of Supplies and Housing at the SAF Command, senior officers and officers of the RAO Sultan of Oman Artillery.

The Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF)

Modern, highly organized, well armed and fully equipped to earn out joint operations, the SAF is one of the main pillars of Oman's defense system. It enjoys a high standard of com-bat proficiency and over the years has acquired all the necessary resources to ensure the protection of the nation.

The development of the SAF is based on three principles: training of manpower to the highest possible standard; the utilization of modern weapons and equipment; and constant review of the previous two principles, in order to ensure that Omani forces remain at the highest levels of proficiency.

The Royal Army of Oman (RAO)

Armed with these principles, the RAO developed into fully integrated, high performance formations, equipped with advanced air defense and combat support weaponry, artillery, transport vehicles, missile launchers and other cutting edge weaponry capable of meeting the demands of joint operations.

The organization and training of the Firqat Force - one of the largest formations in the RAO, have been modernized and upgraded, while the Medical Services have been supplied with state of the art equipment to ensure top quality health care and medical support services in the most demanding of battlefield conditions. Advanced training continues to be provided by the Medical Services School that opened in 2005 Muscat.

The Royal Army of Oman consists of three arms: infantry, amour, and artillery with supporting services. The infantry arm consists of the Muscat Regiment, the Northern Frontier Regiment, the Desert Regiment, the Mountain Regiment, the Oman Coastal regiment, the South Oman Regiment and the Western Frontier Regiment. It also has a Parachute Regiment, equipped with reconnaissance vehicles, the Special Forces and the Firqat Forces which were originally formed as irregulars during the war in the south. Since 1975 the Firqat Forces have been integrated into the RAO as reconnaissance and rural security units. The artillery and armored regiments are equipped with the latest heavy and medium field guns, tracked vehicles, radar and an advanced air defense capability. Both arms have their own training establishments.

Giving close support are the Engineers, who are trained to clear minefields and other obstacles from the battlefield. They are equipped with mechanical troop transporters, armored engineer reconnaissance vehicles, the latest detection and warning equipment for weapons of mass destruction and poison gases, decontamination and chemical warfare equipment. The Engineers have also contributed to the development of the country by building roads in remote areas and helping rural communities with construction projects. The Signals units and the Electrical and Mechanical Engineers play a vital role in modern warfare, providing the communications and technical back-up without which a modern army cannot function. The Royal Army of Oman also has its own medical services, which make a valuable contribution to the health of the nation. In 1993, the military hospital at al-Khoudh was acclaimed by UNICEF as one of the leading hospitals in the world offering special care to children. Officer cadets are trained at the Sultan Qaboos Military Academy before being commissioned into their regiments. In December 1999, the Sultan took the salute at the passing out parade of Commissioning Course No.39. Courses run concurrently and are of two years' duration. Senior officers attend the Sultan's Armed Forces Command and Staff College. The 12th training course started in September 1998 and included officers from all branches of the services, as well as officers from the AGCC armed forces and for the first time participants from the Yemeni armed forces. Senior Omani officers from all three Services also attend overseas defense colleges as part of their advanced training.

High priority is given to training and cooperation with other friendly forces. The annual AGCC Exercise Peninsula Shield was held in February 2000 at Hafr al-Batin in Saudi Arabia. Other important training exercises included live firing demonstrations and tactical maneuvers, including Exercise Fajr 70, which took place in al-Wusta region during October and November 1999. It was a joint services exercise involving nearly all units of the Sultan's Armed Forces, which culminated in a firepower demonstration in the presence of Sultan Qaboos the Commander -in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO)

The SAF's airborne division boasts artillery including modern fighter and multi-role aircraft like the F-16, Hawk and Jaguar aircraft, Super Lynx 300 and NH90 helicopters, anti-air-craft batteries and advanced radar equipment. The defense and weapons systems have been extensively modernized, as have numerous military air bases across the country air bases across the country.

The Royal Navy of Oman (RNO)

The Sultanate has a vital strategic location and a seagoing tradition, so it is no surprise to find the RNO fleet boasts a range of advanced weapons capabilities including surface craft, fast missile boats and support, training, cargo and hydrographic survey vessels, which protect the Sultanate's shores and territorial waters, monitor the safe passage of ships and oil tankers through the strategic Strait of Hormuz and perform any other duties assigned to them. The Said bin Sultan Naval Base with its world-standard specifications is one of the country's main naval installations.

The Royal Guard of Oman (RGO) :

The RGO is an important component of Oman's modern military organization and, with the advanced equipment and systems supplied to its infantry, armored and artillery units, has achieved a high standard of proficiency and combat capability. RGO provides training to a range of different levels of expertise. Its Technical College produces specialist personnel trained to the highest international standards for employment within RGO as well as their government bodies.

Other RGO sections include the highly talented Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra, which was established in 1985. The orchestra has a complement of young Omani musicians who have performed in Europe on several occasions, the most recent being in Paris in 2004 on the occasion of UNESCO's 33rd General Conference.

The highly popular Red Helmets, perform stunning acrobatic displays, at both military and special government sponsored public events.

The SAF's support arms include the Defense Ministry's Engineering Services, which provide engineering support for military exercises as well as essential services at military installations, including the planning and construction of roads at the camps and in the remote and mountainous regions.

With its advanced modern technical facilities, the National Survey Authority produces civil and military maps, carries out aerial photography and sets the criteria for topographical and other surveys. The Institute of Survey Sciences and Map Production was established at the National Survey Authority to train additional specialists in these fields.

Welfare services for serving and former SAF and RGO officers and other ranks and their families are provided by Military Social Services. Their remit includes the sanctioning of land, grants and loans for housing; welfare and rehabilitation services for the disabled; executing the provisions of the Pensions and End-of-Service Benefits Law for Defense Ministry and SAF personnel, and managing the Ministry Pension Fund.

The Directorate of Morale Guidance organizes military, social and cultural activities for the SAF and the RGO. It produces publications and military radio and TV programs in collaboration with the Ministry of Information; in addition, it also commemorate religious occasions, helps ensure the smooth running of the military Hajj mission, and maintains the SAF's photographic archives.

The SAF Museum at Bait al Falaj Fort chronicles Oman's military heritage and the history of its' armed forces, as well as the Forces' contribution to development, progress and the lifestyle of the nation. The information technology (IT) sector at SAF Staff HQ provides IT services for all the units and formations.

Major contributions to the development efforts

With its extensive facilities and nationwide presence, the SAF is well placed to work with the different government departments working to promote development and prosperity for Oman and its citizens. It also trains civilians in navigation, communications, administration and other skills, while its military education program gives school students grounding in the principles and values of military life.

The armed forces build roads to the most remote mountain and desert regions, transport people, provisions and water to otherwise inaccessible areas and - in co-operation with other competent authorities - provide the people living in those areas with health services.

Their other duties include search and rescue operations at sea and the prevention of illegal immigration. Retired SAF personnel frequently contribute their valuable experience to the Sultanate's continued development by setting up their own businesses or finding employment in the private sector.

The Royal Oman Police (ROP)

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) plays a vital role in serving the public and protecting the nation. The close relationship between the police and the public is reflected in the trust and co-operation that exists between the two sides.

Modernization of facilities and services

The ROP's network of modern installations operates across the country, ensuring the public is provided with the best and most efficient security services. Existing installations are constantly being upgraded, while new buildings and facilities are currently under construction.

A new command headquarters called "The Oil and Gas Installations Command" has been set up to protect the Sultanate's valuable oil and gas installations. The Police Coastguard Command has been equipped with new, highly advanced fast patrol boats, while the older boats currently in use have been modernized and fitted with new engines. To keep all vessels in tip top condition the engineering and maintenance workshop has been expanded and improved.

A Sea Rescue Group has been established to help prevent drowning accidents, respond to SOS calls, improve the monitoring of Oman's coastline and prevent illegal immigration and smuggling.

The Police Aviation Directorate has been provided with new premises and a helicopter fire-fighting service has been introduced for use in areas that are relatively inaccessible to ordinary fire engines. The Sultanate is one of the first countries in the region to set up this service and several pilots have now been trained to man it.

The Police Aviation Directorate is due to receive a number of high-tech helicopters with advanced equipment for use in the Flying Ambulance service or for fire-fighting and rescue missions, or with thermal imaging cameras which will provide monitoring and support services for the ROP's other departments. At the end of 2005 several Agusta Westland A109 Power helicopters were commissioned.

Training

The ROP is attracting increasing numbers of young Omani men and women into its ranks and regards their training as one of its main priorities.

The Sultan Qaboos Academy for Police Sciences (SQAPS), established in Nizwa in 1980 (as the ROP Academy Nizwa), provides basic training for police personnel, as well as diploma courses in police sciences for university graduates or those with equivalent qualifications. It also trains candidates for senior positions in the ROP.

The Police College, which is within the SQAPS complex, was established in 2000 and trains ROP officers and awards diplomas and degrees in law and police sciences.

An event unprecedented in the Sultanate's history was the inauguration of the Police Women's Band during the 35th National Day celebrations in 2005, when 60 female musicians entertained with a selection of military tunes. The women's band is expected to play an important part in future national events.

Advanced services in a wide range of fields

The ROP provides a range of prompt, efficient world-class services. The Directorate-General of Civil Status registers the births, marriages, divorces and deaths of Omani nationals, as well as the births and deaths of expatriate residents in the Sultanate, in addition to their marriages and divorces if one of the parties to the marriage or divorce is an Omani. Omani nationals are also issued with "smart" multipurpose ID cards, which are both flexible and secure and - among other things - show the holder's driving license details.

In future it will be possible to use them as Majlis A'Shura voter registration cards. Residence cards are also issued to resident expatriates working in the Sultanate, and their dependants. The labor card and the residence card have now been combined.

Supporting Tourism

The regulations implementing the Foreign Residents' Law have been amended to encourage tourism in the Sultanate and the procedures for the issue of transit visas have been relaxed. Tourist companies can sponsor foreign tourists from certain countries and the conditions governing these tourist visas have been amended by agreement between the ROP and the Ministry of Tourism. New facilities for diplomats wishing to visit the Sultanate are now also in place under reciprocal arrangements.

Border entry posts have been streamlined and equipped with tourist information services and highly trained national personnel. The customs sections in the regions have been upgraded to directorate status, to facilitate the movement of goods over the frontiers and improve the operational efficiency of the Directorate-General of Customs.

A new computer system has been introduced to improve customs clearance procedures and customs clearance offices - with similar functions to those at Port Sultan Qaboos and Muscat International Airport - have been opened at overland crossing points. These moves are designed to support the national economy and come in response to the Gulf Co-operation Council Customs Union and the Greater Arab Free Trade Zone.

Thanks to its new container and motor vehicle inspection equipment, the Directorate General of Customs is now better equipped to detect and identify prohibited substances and smuggled goods. A declaration on a container security and goods inspection initiative has also been signed between the Directorate-General of Customs and its American counterpart, allowing for the inspection of goods transported by sea between Omani and American ports.

Road safety

The ROP tries its utmost to ensure the Sultanate enjoys the highest standards of road safety. Vehicles are regularly inspected, training standards for drivers have been raised and traffic rules are rigorously enforced, particularly with regard to speed limits.

Intensive awareness campaigns are regularly held for drivers and other sections of society, including school students. To this end, the police work closely with other departments and organizations, particularly the Ministry of Education and the media.

The Traffic Safety Institute was been set up to train both traffic personnel and road users. By the end of 2005, fixed and mobile radar speed detectors had been installed in all the governorates and regions in a further attempt to help reduce traffic accidents.

Oman is not only concerned with road safety within its own borders; the country submitted a draft resolution to the UN General Assembly entitled "Road safety must not be left to chance", to help promote international co-operation on the prevention of traffic accidents, which was adopted by the UN in 2004.

The March 2006, the ROP won first prize in an international contest, in which 36 countries participated and organized by the United Nations, at the 1st Global Road Safety Film Festival in Geneva, for a film entitled "Pain and Hope2", a documentary highlighting the suffering of families who lose relatives in road accidents. The film stored in the UN library.

Ambulance and Civil Defense services

The ROP provides a Highway Emergency Ambulance Service for victims of road and other accidents. The Ambulance Unit, which has a fleet of modern ambulances with modern high - tech medical equipment, covers the Governorate of Muscat up to Batinah Region, as well as the main road from the wilayat of Barka to Khatmat Malahah on the UAE border. Under current plans, the service will be expanded to cover the entire country.

The Ambulance Service is linked to an advanced telecommunications system directed through the ROP's telecommunications centre. The system co-ordinates the movement of ambulances to ensure that they reach the scene of an accident in the shortest possible time.

With regard to the protection of buildings, installations and property, the Directorate-General of Civil Defense has been supplied with state-of-the-art civil defense and fire-fighting equipment.

This year saw the opening of several new civil defense posts and work on similar units is ongoing.

The ROP strives to ensure that the best police services are available to the Omani public across the country. The Special Task Force is supplied with cutting edge equipment to enable them to carry out their duties with maximum efficiency. In addition to its fleet of helicopters, the ROP also uses horses and Omani thoroughbred camels to reach some of the more inaccessible areas.

Every effort is made to strengthen links between the ROP and the general population. Members of the public can contact a special 24-hour drugs line by dialing 1444, either to inform the police about drugs offences or to request information. The ROP's internet website (www.rop.gov.om) is also available to provide information on various matters including visa applications and traffic violations.

The ROP takes a keen interest in the welfare of its members both past and present; by keeping in touch it is able to provide them and their families with social welfare services and health care should the need for either arise.