July 22, 2005

THE 23rd OF JULY 1970: THE LAUNCH OF A NEW ERA IN THE HISTORY OF THE SULTANATE OF OMAN. SULTAN QABOOS BIN SAID SETS UP THE BASES OF DEMOCRACY. THE CONCEPT OF SHARED DECISION-MAKING AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BY THE PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNMENT ARE EVIDENT IN SULTAN QABOOS' POLITICAL THINKING. OMAN ADVOCATES JUSTICE, ENLIGHTENMENT AND HARMONY. In 1970, Oman had little physical or administrative infrastructure, and Sultan Qaboos faced the formidable task of turning a backward, impoverished country into a powerful modern state. A communist-backed uprising had erupted in Oman's southern Dhofar province, and was keeping the small, poorly equipped army fully engaged. Oman had begun to exploit its oil reserves in the late 1960s but had achieved little development in other sectors. Oman's health services, education, housing and communications were basic at best. Sultan Qaboos rallied his troops to defeat the insurgents and then launched a drive to unify and modernise the country. When the Sultan marked his 30th anniversary in 2000, he also celebrated the creation of a prosperous and stable modern state that was ready to face the challenges of a new millennium. Having been transformed into a modern state in just thirty years, Oman's next challenge is to replace public sector growth with an expanding private sector to enhance future progress and prosperity. In 1996, Oman passed the Basic Law of the State, containing more than 80 articles to clarify every aspect of the state apparatus and to address the fundamental rights and duties of the Omani citizen. The Basic Law guarantees the equality of all citizens before the law, freedom of religion and of speech, a free press, the right to a fair trial and the right to create national associations. It lays down a legal framework for all future legislation and, as Sultan Qaboos has no children, clarifies the rules of succession. Article Five asserts that the system of government is a monarchy and that the royal line comprises the male descendants of Sayyid Turki bin Said bin Sultan, Sultan Qaboos' great-great-grandfather. It stipulates that the successor to the throne shall be a Muslim of sound mind and the legitimate son of Omani Muslim parentage. The rules of succession decree that the ruling family council will choose Sultan Qaboos' successor within three days of the throne falling vacant. Only if the ruling family council fails to reach a consensus will the Defence Council open the letter written by Sultan Qaboos naming his choice of successor. Democratic principles The Sultan's visionary and strong-willed leadership, together with the human resources represented by the people of Oman, has resulted in a sense of individual responsibility and duty towards the country's growth. The concept of shared decision-making and national development by the people and the government has always been evident in Sultan Qaboos' political thinking. To further this concept, Oman's population, both male and female, has been provided with full access to education and economic, social and cultural developments, with the Basic Law of the State ensuring the freedom and rights of all citizens. An enlightened system of open meetings at the state level ensures that popular participation is promoted and feelings of social cohesion and loyalty generated. In November 2002 the right to vote was granted to every Omani citizen, both male and female, over the age of twenty-one years.. All Omani citizens are thus able to vote in the 4th October 2003 elections for the Majlis al Shura's (Consultative Council) fifth term (2004-2007). In another development, the Supreme Court was created in February 2003. Omani women are increasingly being appointed to Government positions, the most recent being a Minister as President of the Public Authority for Craft Industries in March 2003. State Institutions The Sultan is Head of State, the highest and final authority and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the Royal Oman Police. He is the symbol of national unity, which he maintains and upholds. Article 42 of the Basic Statute of the State defines the Sultan's functions. These include maintaining the country's independence and territorial integrity, protecting its internal and external security, safeguarding its citizens' rights and freedoms, upholding the rule of law, directing general state policy and taking measures to confront dangers threatening the security or national integrity of the Sultanate and of its people. Sultan Qaboos presides over the cabinet of ministers. He appoints and dismisses deputy prime ministers, ministers and under-secretaries. He is responsible for declaring states of emergency, general mobilisation and war, concluding peace under the provisions of the law, introducing laws, ratifying treaties and international agreements, issuing the general state budget and granting pardons for punishments. Rulings are issued and carried out in the name of the Sultan. Addressing the Omani people when he assumed power in July 1970, Sultan Qaboos bin Said said: "I promise you that the first obligation I shall impose upon myself is to begin modernising the government as quickly as possible." However, in the early 1970s, there were no laws or regulatory systems to define the functioning, principles and goals of institutions or the rights and duties of employees. The codification of government began in the mid 1970s. In July 1975, Royal Decree 26/75 introduced laws to regulate the administration. It set out the Cabinet of Ministers' and other government bodies' powers and responsibilities, in tandem with the Civil Service Law of Royal Decree 27/75, which outlined civil servants' rights and duties. Council of Oman (Majlis Oman) Oman's government is a bicameral system. The Basic Law Statute of the State provided for the establishment of The Council of Oman, which was created by Royal Decree in 1997. It consists of the Majlis a'Shura (Consultative Council), whose members are elected by Omani citizens every four years, and the Majlis Al Dawla (State Council), whose members are appointed by the Sultan The State Council (Majlis al Dawla) The State Council acts as an upper chamber. Membership is for a period of three years and is renewable. In the current year, 2003, the State Council has 55 members, including 7 women. It is an advisory council that carries out objective, in-depth studies on the issues put before it or on topics that might arise during the course of its sessions. It reflects in its approach the plurality of views and ideas underlined by the Sultan. The president and members of the State Council, appointed by Royal Decree, are senior members of the Omani community and are chosen for their expertise and competence in a wide range of fields. A State Council member must be of Omani nationality by birth, not less than forty years of age and of good social standing and reputation with appropriate practical experience. A member is not permitted to combine membership of the State Council with membership of the Majlis a' Shura or of public office, unless he or she is chosen from the categories of science, literature and culture or from the academic staffs of universities, colleges and institutes. The Council considers issues referred to it by the Sultan or the Council of Ministers, and submits its views, along with its proposals and recommendations, to the Sultan or to the Council as appropriate. The President of the State Council also submits an annual report to the Sultan on the Council's activities. The State Council assisted in preparing the Sixth Five-Year Plan (2001-2005). It also studied several draft laws and submitted its recommendations to the Council of Ministers. In addition, the Council carried out studies on various topics ranging from challenges facing the Sultanate's water resources, the future of tourism and diversification of the economy. According to its constitution, the Council holds four ordinary sessions a year, in January, March, May and October. The President of the Council may also convene an extraordinary session if necessary. The Consultative Council (Majlis A'Shura) The function of the Majlis A'Shura, inaugurated in 1990 to replace the State Consultative Council, is to advise and assist the government in matters concerning Omani society and to help reinforce its fundamental values. The Majlis exercises its powers and legislative, economic and social functions in several ways through its members and main bodies. The Majlis consists of 83 democratically elected individuals representing the various wilayats as independent spokespersons of their citizens. The term of office was increased to four year in October 2003. Co-ordination with the Government Government departments, public and private sector corporations and institutions supply the Majlis with information and provide facilities to assist its committees during their field visits to the governorates and regions. There was extensive co-ordination between the Majlis and the various organisations throughout the year. The Civil Service In 1970 the responsibility for the administrative structure was assigned to the Diwan of Employee Affairs which began to introduce laws and regulations for Oman's civil service, culminating in the Civil Service Law by Royal Decree No.27/75. In 1988 Royal Decree No.17/88 established the Ministry of Civil Service and defining its powers and responsibilities, and these were upgraded in 1998 by Royal Decree No.89/98. At the end of 2002 some 91,237 men and women (64% men, 36% women) were employed in the departments subject to the Civil Service Law. The level of Omanisation rose from 78.1% at the end of 2001 to 80.9% at the end of 2002. Expatriates employed in the health- and education-related field accounted for 92.6% of the total (17,471) at the end of 2002. Monitoring Omanisation A 1997 Royal Decree created the Omanisation Monitoring and Follow-up Committee as a department of the Diwan of the Royal Court in order to monitor programmes for employing nationals in the public and private sectors. The committee compiles progress reports on such employment and proposes solutions to obstacles to Omanisation targets. The decree requires public and private sector authorities and bodies to provide whatever information and statistics the committee requires. Several specialised sub-committees supervise Omanisation in the public and private sectors, with members drawn both from government and business. These sub-committees have identified obstacles to the Omanisation drive and proposed alternative solutions. The main committee has discussed their recommendations and submitted their findings to the Sultan. Women's rights From the outset of his reign, Sultan Qaboos resolved that Omani women should not be marginalised in the new, modern Sultanate. He has advocated the advancement of women in all spheres of society and championed their right to help determine society's future. In 1988, Oman appointed its first female under-secretary in a ministry in a first for any Gulf state. In 1989, a woman was elected to the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry's board of directors. In 1999, Oman appointed its first female ambassador to The Hague, and in 2003 the first woman was appointed a minister (as President of the newly-formed Public Authority for Craft Industries). Many other women have emerged in government and the private sector, becoming more visible in government posts, the oil sector and banking. Numerous Omani women also work as teachers, doctors, nurses and in the clerical and computing fields. Others engage in voluntary work through the national body, the Omani Women's Association. International Relations In his speech to the annual session of the Council of Oman on 4th November 2002, Sultan Qaboos stated the principles of Oman's foreign policy: "We are always on the side of right, justice, friendship and peace. And we call for peaceful coexistence between nations, mutual understanding between civilisations and the eradication of the causes of the hatred which breeds in the minds of those who suffer from injustice and inequality. That is in the interests of all mankind." The Sultanate strongly rejects any interference in its own internal affairs or those of any other state. Further, it is committed to the rules of international relations and the resolution of disputes by peaceful means and through constructive dialogue. The Sultanate also seeks to promote a better world understanding of the roots of Arab and Islamic culture and the humanitarian principles they embrace. The Sultan's initiatives in this respect include support for UNESCO's programmes and the activities of numerous Arab and foreign research centres and universities, as well as the establishment of the Sultan Qaboos Centre for Islamic Culture at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Sultan Qaboos has condemned terrorism in all its forms, regardless of the identity of the perpetrators, both before and after the terrorist attacks of 11th September 2001. The Sultanate supports and co-operates with international efforts to combat terrorism providing that they do not cause further harm to innocent peoples. Sultan Qaboos has also called for measures to combat injustice, tyranny and ethnic cleansing. Oman has actively promoted closer co-operation between the Gulf states, particularly the states of the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), in the fields of economy, the military and security, and has proposed several other initiatives that have been adopted by various GCC summits, including the Water Link Project. The Sultan, setting an example in the region, was the first Omani leader to reach international frontier demarcation agreements with all the Sultanate's neighbours, the most recent being the border agreement between the Sultanate and the United Arab Emirates, signed in 2002 and ratified on 27th January 2003. The Sultanate actively supports the Arab League and has backed every stage of the Middle East peace process, including the Road Map. The Sultanate has welcomed the formation of the new Palestinian government and hopes that it will achieve its goals of ending the sufferings of the Palestinian people and setting up an independent state within the framework of a just and comprehensive resolution of the conflict. It continues to extend its political, economic and moral support to the Palestinian people and condemns Israel's appalling treatment of the Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, recognising that these practices constitute a serious obstacle to peace. The Sultanate has also endeavoured to help relieve the sufferings of the Iraqi people through its efforts to ease sanctions and through its part in the Security Council's Oil for Food resolution in the mid-1990s. While stressing that any action regarding Iraq should be taken through the United Nations, the Sultanate has always clearly expressed its support and respect for Iraq's territorial integrity and its right to establish its own political system. The Sultanate's political and diplomatic activities encompass a wide range of states, regional and international organisations as well as Arab and international summits. In addition, many regional and world leaders visit the Sultanate for discussions and to hear Sultan Qaboos' opinions on both regional and international developments. Last year the Sultan visited the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Egypt, and this year he has made private visits to Qatar , Egypt , Italy , Spain , France , and England. During his visits he held discussions on various Gulf, Arab and international issues of common concern, as well as on ways of enhancing bilateral relations in order to serve common interests and regional peace, security and stability. In May 2003 the Sultanate endorsed the 1999 nuclear test ban treaty. In 2002, US Vice President Dick Cheney, former South African President Nelson Mandela and Lebanese President Al Imad Emile Lahoud visited the Sultanate. Senegalese President Abdullah Wad and Iranian Vice President Dr. Hassan Habibi have paid visits to the Sultanate in 2003. Productive meetings with Gulf leaders, ministers, military commanders and ambassadors have also been held. There is also awareness of the continuing need to strengthen relations and economic ties with the countries of the Far East and with the Indian sub-continent. The Sultanate played an active role in the creation of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co-operation (IORARC) in 1997 and it has also taken steps to expand its relations with African and other states. Over the years the Sultanate's foreign policy has become increasingly pro-active both within the region and beyond. Its main features have always been objectivity, realism and positive neutrality, which it has blended into a distinctive foreign policy structure that reflects Sultan Qaboos' philosophies and vision of a future linked to its historical past. This active foreign policy has gained the respect and appreciation of the international community. Since the middle of the 19th century Oman has benefited from its relations with the world's influential powers, particularly the United Kingdom, the United States of America and France. More recently, the Sultanate has succeeded in building bridges of friendship with other countries and revitalising its foreign policy through its efforts to implement and maintain transparent and credible policies in response to world changes since 1970. It has been an active participant in meetings of the international organisations of which it is a member, believing strongly in the role of these organisations in strengthening global co-operation. Firm principles Omanis have long been seafarers and traders in the Indian Ocean and beyond. Hence, economics and trade have always been major elements of Omani foreign policy, and they have helped in developing the country and promoting strong relationships with other states. The Sultanate's foreign policy is based upon non-interference in the internal affairs of others, good neighbourly relations, respect for countries' national sovereignty, efforts to reinforce peace and stability, the support of just causes, and co-operation over common interests. These firm principles have enabled the Sultanate to achieve consistency in its foreign policy and overcome many barriers in its dealings with other states, while at the same time carrying its traditional relationships to new horizons. During the crises that have arisen in the Arabian Gulf, it has played a critical role in defusing tensions, thereby reinforcing the ongoing diplomatic responses of the international community. While the Sultanate's general approach is inspired by the concept of peace in its widest sense, it also believes strongly that "terrorism in all its forms, and from whatever source it originates, is an attack on the peace that mankind seeks to achieve." Both before and after the terrorist events of September 2001, Oman has condemned terrorism and called for it to be confronted and opposed and for its causes to be addresssed. It supported the international campaign against terrorism, while warning against extending it without solid evidence. The economic dimension In keeping with its basic policies, the Sultanate adopts a range of approaches in its efforts to strengthen its economic relations with other states in a way that will support its development plans and programmes. Muscat was an early champion of Gulf co-operation, and the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) summits that were held there in 1985, 1989, 1995 and 2001 were landmarks along the road of co-operation and integration between the GCC states. Decisions were made to implement the Customs Union on 1st January 2003 rather than 2005 as originally planned, and to establish a Gulf common market in 2007 and a common Gulf currency by 2010 at the latest. A single Gulf economic agreement was also approved, as was the formation of a Joint Defence Council and the adoption of a unified security strategy against extremism. Yemen was accepted as a member of some GCC organisations as a first step towards integration between the states of the Arabian Peninsula. The Sultan's chairmanship of the 22nd GCC Summit was instrumental in the achievement of the Council's goals and in ensuring that it responded to the aspirations of the Gulf's citizens. At the bilateral level, the Sultanate's relations with Arab and friendly states are also showing impressive progress through a series of joint committees and businessmen's councils. The committees play an effective role in reinforcing economic, commercial, investment-orientated, cultural, technical and other relations between the Sultanate and the states concerned.. The Middle East peace process With regard to the Middle East Peace Process, the Sultanate has welcomed and supported all efforts aimed at achieving peace in the region. It has backed the Palestinian people and their leadership and has provided them with political and material support. The general public of Oman has also supported Palestine by means of demonstrations on their behalf and generous donations. The Sultanate firmly believes in a just and comprehensive peace based on international legitimacy as expressed in the relevant Security Council resolutions and the Madrid guidelines. It strongly supports the creation of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Sultanate has welcomed the formation of the new Palestinian government and hopes that it will have a genuine opportunity to achieve its goals of ending its people's sufferings and establishing its own independent state within the framework of a just and comprehensive solution. Policy Towards Iraq The Sultanate has affirmed its support for Iraq's territorial integrity, respect for its legal rights and the provision of all the elements needed by the Iraqi people for their stability, and for the opportunity for them to choose their own government and decide on the form of their political system. The Sultanate has consistently demanded the lifting of the sanctions that had been imposed on the Iraqi people for so long, in view of the great sufferings they had caused to the people of Iraq and their children. The Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Co-operation (IORARC) The Sultanate played an active part in setting up IORARC in March 1997, being one of its 14 founding members. It hosted the Association's ministerial meeting in Muscat in April 2001 and assumed the presidency for a two-year term ending in April 2003. This came at a highly significant time for the Association's present and future development. Muscat has been the venue for meetings of senior officials, a businessmen's forum and IORARC's academic organisation, all of which have boosted the Association's effectiveness and led to closer co-operation between its member states. The Sultanate has put forward a number of practical proposals, particularly on tourism, ports and fisheries. Today the Sultanate has diplomatic relations with around 140 states, compared with only three in 1970, and is a member of over 105 Gulf, Arab, Islamic, regional and international organisations. The good reputation that the Sultanate enjoys at every level is due to the high regard in which the world's leaders and peoples hold the Sultan and his opinions. Omani-African relations The roots of the relationship between Oman and Africa date from pre-Islamic times. Some historical sources record that Omanis settled on the east coast of the African continent before the 1st century of the Christian era. With the arrival of Islam, this relationship acquired a new and distinctive character. Waves of Omanis migrated to the East African coast and established Arab emirates and cities there that played a major role in spreading Islam and the Arabic language and civilisation. From there, Omani traders took Arab and Islamic civilisation with them to the Great Lakes plateau and the countries in the heart of the African continent. The Ya'rubi period (1624-1744) saw the development of stronger relations between Oman and the East African coast, and history still pays tribute to the part played by the Omanis in liberating the African coast from foreign imperialism and tyranny. Contacts between the two sides continued to grow significantly in every field. The relationship developed dramatically during the Al Busaidi period. The Al Busaidi Sultans attached such importance to East Africa that Sayyid Said bin Sultan (1806-1856) adopted Zanzibar as his country's second capital in 1832 because of its strategic, political and economic importance and pleasant climate. During his reign, Zanzibar became a political and economic centre that attracted the interest of the major world powers. Zanzibar became the capital of the "eastern wing" of the Omani state, and the Omani presence was to continue there for another century and more. Omani influence was not limited to Zanzibar, but extended from Mogadishu and Berbera in the north to Cape Delgado in the south. It was clearly portrayed in the administrative and judicial systems adopted by the people of those regions, as well as in local agriculture, foreign trade and shipping. Moreover, the Swahili language incorporated numerous Arabic words and expressions, and Omani influence was also evident in the local dress, food, customs, traditions, culture and social life. Although the Omanis were not the only nation to leave their mark on and to feel the influence of East Africa, they were the pioneers whose legacy can still be felt. During Sultan Qaboos' reign, Oman has strengthened its relations with the African continent and has established diplomatic relations with most of its states. In this connection, the Sultanate set up its Consulate-General in Zanzibar in 1987 and an Omani Trade Office in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1994. It has also contributed to several major development projects in Zanzibar on the basis of the special historical relationship between the two countries. Royal Tours The annual Royal tours provide a forum for close contact and open dialogue between the Sultan and the people over a wide range of issues. During the Royal tours, which last for several weeks, Sultan Qaboos', accompanied by several ministers and advisers, visits a number of regions and wilayats (districts) to meet both local officials and ordinary citizens on their own territory. Such meetings indicate a commitment to the people's welfare and involve the general public in determining the country's future. They also provide a channel for resolving individual problems without formal procedures. The Sultan makes various other tours, including field visits to inspect projects and work sites or hold impromptu discussions with members of the Omani public and join them in special celebrations. This year's Royal tour began from Seeb in the Governorate of Muscat on 18th January 2003 and visited the Dakhiliyah, Sharqiyah and Wusta regions before ending in the Governorate of Dhofar. Highlights included a focus on water needs for the future and on the optimising of date palm production and the approval of several new local road and service projects. The second seminar on the employment of national manpower was opened during the tour on 1st February 2003 at the Royal Camp at Seeh al Yahmedi. The seminar boosted the progress of the expanding "Sanad" programme, launched in 2001 to assist young Omanis in setting up their own businesses, and also focused on future training and employment opportunities, stressing the growing role of the private sector in this regard. Charity and socio-cultural initiatives During his reign, Sultan Qaboos, with his concern for the severely disadvantaged in society, has made generous personal donations to deserving causes inside and outside Oman. In 1995 he announced that disabled people with limited incomes would be exempt from paying private vehicle registration and renewal fees. In the same year, Sultan Qaboos made a personal donation of RO 1.5 million to some 42,000 families on social security. He was a founder donor of the Omani Organisation for Charitable Works, established by Royal Decree in 1996. Also in that year, he donated $7 million in aid to Palestinian civilians and $1 million to Al Azhar University in Cairo. At the Earth Summit in Johannesburg in 2002, $2 million was pledged to the United Nations towards efforts to combat poverty in Africa. In May 2003, Sultan Qaboos directed the despatch of relief flights of materials, foodstuffs, medical supplies, tents and blankets to Algeria to assist those affected by the earthquakes in the capital and suburbs. Fund for the Development of Youth Projects: In 1998, Sultan Qaboos launched the FDYP in order to provide young Omani entrepreneurs with technical assistance and managerial support for the launching of small/medium-sized businesses (eg. factories) and to encourage the private sector to assist with finance. Sanad Project: This Project was launched by Sultan Qaboos in October 2001 with a RO2 million donation from the government. It trains young Omanis to set up their own small businesses (eg. supermarkets) with maximum assistance of RO5,000.000. The private sector is also encouraged to assist with training and financing the Sanad project. In business, the Sultan has established several annual awards to recognise outstanding Omani ventures Sultan Qaboos' Cups for Sports: The Sultan is a liberal supporter of sport and youth participation. In 1998, he launched two sports trophies and financial grants for the winning clubs in annual football and hockey tournaments. Sultan Qaboos' Camel Race Cup: Equestrian activities, including the formation of a national team, are currently being promoted in a comprehensive new programme of improved facilities and training for both horse and camel riding and racing, and by the institution of this Cup. The Sultan Qaboos Award for Environmental Conservation: This UNESCO-administered Award was launched in 1989, offering bi-annual prizes of $20,000 to groups or institutions that deliver outstanding results in protecting the environment. . The Sultanate has been elected to the post of deputy chairman on UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, which recently added 24 more locations as World Heritage Sites around the globe. The Sultanate has seven World Heritage Sites. The Sultan of Oman's Chair for Arab and Islamic Studies, Australia: In the field of education, an agreement signed in March 2003 with Melbourne University for the creation of this Chair is the latest in a series of endowments to prestigious universities throughout the world. It is just one example of the Sultan's role in promoting exchanges and mutual understanding between cultures and peoples. Sultan Qaboos' Research Fund: Within Oman, grants from this Fund have been awarded in 2003 to five research projects at Sultan Qaboos University, in the fields of medicine, the sciences, geography and commerce.