Sultan Qaboos pardons 189 Omanis, 78 foreigners on occasion of Eid al-Fitr

Citizenship rights, values of justice, equality respected in Sultanate of Oman

Tender Board awards new projects worth RO 163m.

HIS Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the Supreme Commander, has pardoned a number of prisoners convicted of different crimes. They included 189 Omanis and 78 other nationals. The pardon, which coincides with the advent of Eid al Fitr, is another example of His Majesty’s kind gestures.

The Sultanate enjoys a special relationship with its fellow Arab Gulf Co-operation Council (AGCC) member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE), with which it shares strong traditional ties. The AGCC Supreme Council's advisory body is based in Muscat and the country enjoys the trust and respect of other member states.

The Sultanate is a staunch and active champion of Gulf identity and citizenship, it welcomes the increased co-operation between the AGCC member states and the Republic of Yemen, and enjoys excellent relations with its neighbor, the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Sultan Qaboos attended the 26th Arab Gulf Co-operation Council Summit in Abu Dhabi on 18 and 19 December 2005 - the "Fahd Summit"- and earlier in the year visited Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates followed by the State of Qatar in May, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait in June.

The Sultanate supports joint Arab action through the Arab League and initiatives to improve the League's performance and make it more effective. At the same time it attaches great importance to developing its own relations with other Arab states, whether bilaterally or collectively, and joint committees between the Sultanate and various other Arab countries play an important part in promoting this agenda.

In working for peace and stability in the Arab region, Oman strongly backs the Palestinian people's efforts to gain their legitimate rights and gives wholehearted support to their efforts in the regional and international arenas. It condemns Israel's repressive practices, which increase tension in the Occupied Territories, and calls for the implementation of international resolutions and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited Muscat in December 2004 and Khalid Mashaal, head of the Hamas movement's political office, visited in April 2006.

With regard to developments in Iraq, the Sultanate supports the current political process there, which aims to achieve the stability necessary to enable the new Iraqi government to achieve national unity and territorial integrity. The Sultanate supports all efforts to rebuild the country and bring its' people relief from suffering.

King Abdullah 11 bin al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan visited the Sultanate in March 2005 and Sultan Qaboos visited the Arab Republic of Egypt in May the same year. The Sultanate received visits from Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed al Ghannoushi in September 2005 and Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora in December. There were also numerous additional exchange visits at ministerial and other levels.

HH The Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers and his delegation attended the 18th Arab Summit which was held in Khartoum, Sudan on 28/03/2006.

The Sultanate hosted a range of activities, including Arab economic, cultural, tourism, scientific and art forums, as part of its "Muscat - Arab Culture Capital 2006" program, where Muscat was able to showcase some of the country's most dazzling cultural treasures.

World-wide relations

The Sultanate believes it is essential to maintain contacts and dialogue with other states and peoples for the sake of continued mutual understanding and co-operation. It supports all sincere efforts to develop closer relations or resolve differences through dialogue and within the context of international law and legitimacy, believing the establishment of peace and stability can best be achieved through tolerance and recognition of common interests.

This is the inspiration behind Oman's active role in the United Nations and international organizations such as UNESCO, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), which Oman joined some years ago. It can also be seen in its extensive diplomatic relations with countries around the world.

Oman was unanimously elected by UNESCO's executive council to chair the 33rd session of the organization's General Conference in Paris, attended by all 191 member states, in October 2005, when Sultan Qaboos gave a statement to the Conference.

The Sultanate was also represented at the United Nations World Summit in September 2005 where in a prepared speech, the government in Muscat reaffirmed its rejection of terrorism and confirmed its belief that the time had come to: "implement an international strategy for the prevention of terrorism, based on co-operation and exchanges of information between states." It was, the speech noted, essential to "differentiate between the legitimate right of self-defense and resistance to aggression, and outright acts of terror."

The Sultanate also emphasized the importance of upgrading the UN's organizations and institutions to all make them more effective in serving member states and in responding to the changing international situation. This process, it stressed, should be "continuous and all-embracing".

International visitors to Oman, either to renew old acquaintances and friendships or to learn more about the country and its leadership, included former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder (March 2005), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAFA) Director-General Dr. Mohammed EIBaradei, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (September), Dutch Prime Minister Dr. Jan Peter Balkenende (14/11/05), US Vice-President Dick Cheney (20/12/05), Dr Frank Steinmeier, Foreign Minister of Germany and his delegation (21/05/06) and Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos in the same month.. Diplomatic relations were established with Uruguay in November 2005 and with the Central American Republic of Belize in March 2006.

The economic dimensions of foreign policy

The Sultanate enjoys cordial relations with numerous countries around the world, its long history of trade links with other peoples, from China in the east to the United States in the west, is as relevant today as it was centuries ago. For Oman, these links have long been a determining factor in forming internal policies as well as executing its role in the regional and international arenas.

The Sultanate enthusiastically supports the Greater Arab Free Trade Organization, its growing relations and co-operation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and its continuing efforts to promote greater co-operation between member states of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IORARCI), as well as with the United States; negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between the Sultanate and the US have now been completed and the Agreement, due to be signed before the end of 2006, will open up further opportunities for the Omani economy.

Such developments have attracted an increasing flow of investment from the region and beyond, which, in turn, has funded several major industrial projects including schemes at Sohar Industrial Estate and the other similar industrial zones in Sur, Salalah and Nizwa. Some of these projects are already up and running, helping to generate greater prosperity for Omani citizens.

Asian, East and Central African relations

Oman's relations with the countries of Asia and East and Central Africa go back a long way. The Indian Ocean was Oman's gateway to these regions centuries ago, when business between the indigenous populations and visiting Omani traders was brisk and lucrative. Today, those friendly relations have been renewed and, responding to the demands of globalization, continue to blossom, serving mutual economic interests.

The Sultanate played a major role in setting up the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co-operation (IORARC) in 1997 and actively supports measures to promote economic co-operation between member states, particularly in trade, tourism, the sciences, marine transport and fisheries. The Association's Fisheries Support Unit was established in Muscat in 2005.

Oman joined the "Asian Co-operation Dialogue" in 2003 and signed a declaration on a new partnership strategy between Asian and African states on 22/4/2005.

Diplomatic relations were established between the Sultanate and the Laos People's Democratic Republic on 9 March 2005 and diplomatic representation with the Republic of' Afghanistan was raised to embassy level on 25 March of the same year. Several exchange visits took place between Oman and Asian states during 2005, including visits to the Sultanate by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in March, Thailand's Prime Minister Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra in April, and the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, Elmar Mammadyarov in the same month. The South Korean Prime Minister, Lee Hac-chan, visited in November. In March 2006 Pranab Mukherjee, India's Defense Minister had the honor of an Audience with His Majesty.

The Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Committee of Guangdong province, Mr. Zhang Dejiang, visited in June. In September 2005, Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, and a high-level delegation, made a tour of Asia, visiting Thailand, South Korea and China, with the aim of strengthening relations and expanding bilateral co-operation with those countries. The Gulf Indian Businessmen's Conference was subsequently held in Muscat, where the Muscat Declaration was issued on 26 March 2006, detailing plans to promote co-operation initiatives between businessmen in the AGGC states and their Indian counterparts.

Oman's relations with East and Central Africa, which date back hundreds of years, continue to flourish; the Sultanate enjoys extensive ties with numerous countries in that region, including Tanzania, South Africa, Mauritius, Senegal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia and others. These ties enable Oman to play a positive role in African affairs and to help open new horizons for even closer future relationships.

Oman enjoys good relations with over 140 countries around the globe and is a member of over 105 regional and international organizations.

The Oman Council shall consist of:

The Shura Council

The Council of State

The Law shall specify the powers of each of these Councils, the length of their terms, the frequency of their sessions, and their rules of procedure. It shall also specify the number of members of each Council, the conditions which they must fulfill, the method of their selection and appointment, the reasons for their dismissal, and other regulatory provisions.

According to Article (28) the freedom to practice religious rites in accordance with recognized customs is guaranteed provided that it does not disrupt public order or conflict with accepted standards of behavior.

Article (29) Freedom of opinion and expression, whether spoken, written or in other forms, is guaranteed within the limits of the Law.

According to Article (59) the sovereignty of the Law is the basis of governance in the State. Rights and freedoms are guaranteed by the dignity of the judiciary and the probity and impartiality of the judges.

Judicial power is independent according to Article (60) and vested in the Courts of Law, of whatever type or status, which issue judgments in accordance with the Law.

Article (61) There is no power over the judges in their rulings except the Law. Judges can only be dismissed in cases specified by the Law. No party may interfere in a law suit or in matters of justice; such interference shall be a crime punishable by law. The Law shall specify the conditions to be fulfilled for those administering justice, the conditions and procedures for the appointment of judges, their transfer and promotion, the security offered to them, the cases in which they are not liable for dismissal, and other relevant provisions.

Article (62) The Law shall regulate the Law Courts of whatever type or status and shall specify their functions and competencies. The jurisdiction of Military Courts shall be restricted to military crimes committed by members of the Armed Forces and the security forces and shall only extend to others in the case of martial law and then within the limits laid down by the Law. Article (63) Court hearings are public except when the Law Court decides to hold the case in camera in the interests of public order or public morals. In all cases pronouncement of finding and sentence shall be in open session.

Article (64) The public prosecution shall conduct legal proceedings on behalf of the community, shall oversee matters of judicial prosecution and shall be vigilant in the application of the penal code, the pursuit of the guilty and the execution of court judgments. The Law shall regulate the public prosecution and its competencies and shall specify the conditions and security applicable to those who discharge its functions. In exceptional cases, Public Security departments may be legally empowered to conduct proceedings in cases involving misdemeanors, in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Law.

Article (65) The legal profession shall be regulated by the Law.

Article (66) The judiciary shall have a Higher Council, which shall oversee the smooth running of the Law Courts and auxiliary bodies. The Law shall specify the powers of this Council with regard to the functions of the judges and the public prosecutor.

Article (67) The Law shall adjudicate in administrative disputes through a Special Administrative Causes Court or Department, whose organization and mode of procedure shall be specified in Law.

Article (68) The Law shall adjudicate in disputes over jurisdiction between judicial departments and in cases of conflict of judgments.

Article (69) The Law shall define the competencies of the department which expresses legal opinions to Ministries and other Government departments and formulates and revises draft laws, regulations and decisions. The Law shall also specify the mode of representation of the State and other public bodies and organizations before the Departments of Justice.

Article (70) The Law shall stipulate the judicial department concerned with settling disputes arising from the incompatibility of laws and regulations with the Basic Law of the State and ensuring that the latter’s provisions are not contravened, and shall define that department’s powers and procedures.

Article (71) Judgments shall be issued and executed in the name of His Majesty the Sultan. Failure or delay in executing these judgments on the part of the concerned public officials shall be a crime punishable by law. In such a case the judgment beneficiary has the right to bring a criminal action directly to the court concerned.

The main features of the Seventh Five-year Development Plan (2006-2010) were deter mined by three major factors - the basic targets and principles of Oman’s long-term development strategy (1996-2020), an assessment of the performance of the Sixth Five-year Development Plan, and an evaluation of new developments scheduled to take place during the period covered by the Seventh Plan.

The Plan aims to attain average annual economic growth rates (in fixed price terms).

The Seventh Five-year Plan aims to speed up the process of diversifying the sources of national income by increasing non-oil activities. It is anticipated that industries dependent on natural gas, as well as tourism and non-oil exports of Omani origin.

The development of human resources is another major priority of the Seventh Plan. Accordingly, major importance is being attached to education, health, the creation of employment opportunities for nationals and the further development of Omanisation programs.

The Plan’s other priorities include the judicial sector.

Development of the information technology (IT) sector, the expansion of research and development to cover most sectors of the national economy, and further support for the Scientific Research Council.

The Plan also provides for a wide range of projects in various sectors under the civil ministries’ development programs.

The Tender Board awarded tenders worth RO 163 million.

The new projects include: construction of Duqm airport in the Al Wusta region (phase 1) (RO 27m); converting electric lines to ground cables in Muscat Governorate (Phase 1) (RO 22m); repair of Asilah-Ras al Had road (RO 13.5m); two gates for the dry dock in the wilayat of Al Duqm (RO 8m); wastewater transportation services in Muscat Governorate (RO 7.5m); construction of Hai al Turath-Ghabrat Nizwa road (RO 7m); Hiring a project manager to supervise the internal airports (Sohar, Ras al Had, Al Duqm, Adam, Haima and Shaleem) (RO 7m); management and operation of the education portal system for three years (RO 6m); additional works for the transportation of water from the Wilayat of Izki to the Wilayat of Nizwa (RO 5.5m); diversion of three electricity lines in the Wilayat of Baushar (RO 6m); additional works on tender No 117/2006, expansion of internet broadband network (100,000 subscribers) (RO 5m); consultancy services for construction of Oman conference centre (RO 5m); management and operation of Al Amirat waste treatment landfill (RO 4m); construction of houses and public utilities in the Wilayat of Maqshan in Dhofar (RO 4m); illumination on Nizwa-Ibri from Nizwa to Jibreen (RO 2m); supply of medical laboratory materials and blood transfusion services (RO 2m); supply of staphylococcus vaccines as part of the broad vaccination program of the Ministry of Health (RO 2m); supply of medical equipment for technicians at Al Batina North health centers (RO 1m); renewal of the satellite services contracts (RO 1m); supply of two feeders from Sur main plant to Al Shuriah plant in the Wilayat of Sur (RO 1m); construction of Dawmat al Jandal school for basic education at Al Zahiya in the Wilayat of Liwa in the Al Batinah region (RO 1m); connecting new wells at Al Khoudh well field to the main supply line (RO 1m); application of the electronic system for managing the business of Oman Refineries and Petrochemicals Company (RO1m); construction of wastewater network at the Industrial Estate in Al Iraqi in the Wilayat of Rustaq (RO 995,753); procurement of satellite images (RO 981,750); rendering consultancy services for the implementation of value added tax (RO 800,000); temporary guest houses in the Wilayat of Al Duqm (RO 623,712); consultancy services for designing and supervising works of the express ferries receiving facilities at Khasab and Shinas ports (RO 607,200); supply and distribution of heavy duty wheeled pesticide machines with accessories (RO 600,000); expansion of departure lounge at Muscat International Airport (RO 530,472); checking and maintenance of petrol tankers at Mina Raysut (RO 521,058); rendering engineering consultancy services for new health centers in Sohar, Al Rustaq, Nizwa, Seeb, Al Khuwair, Rahab, Al Musana, Saham and Al Ajayez (RO 481,500); supply, installation and operation of medical equipment at Khoula hospital (RO 483,235); supply, installation and operation of CT Scan machine at Sohar hospital (RO 450,110); bus leasing to transport Muscat Nursing Institute students (RO 422,100); rendering consultancy services to revise designs and supervision of recharge dams at Wadi Nam, Al Rasah and Al Uqidah in the Wilayat of Al Qabil in the Sharqiyah region (RO 337,150); construction of 8 houses (phase one) at Abu Madhabi village in the Wilayat of Haima in the Al Wusta region (RO 293,000); renewal of the International Organization for Civil Aviation agreement for 15 months (RO 287,293); consultancy services for preparation of the organizational structure of the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (RO 275,000); consultancy service for supervising repairing of Sur marine road and Sur-Al Ayah road (RO 198,600); designs to construction of a harbor and facilities for express ferries at Khor Najd at Al Hableen area in the Governorate of Musandam and construction of a road that links it with Khasab (RO 180,000); and consultancy services for Khasab--Lima-Diba-Al Baya and Khasab-Al Khalidiyah road (RO 119,400).

The Tender Board also approved change orders pertaining to ongoing projects. It also looked into issues related to projects referred by ministries and government departments.