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A Special International
Report Prepared by
The Washington Times
Advertising Department - Published on December 21, 1999
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(1) Oman
LNG LLC
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The Sultanate was the first Arab country to establish diplomatic contact with the United States, doing so in the first half of the 19th century. Diplomatic relations between the two countries began 166 years ago during Andrew Jackson’s presidency. But, informal ties were established more than 200 years ago when a U.S. ship sailed into Muscat Harbor in 1790. Thirty-eight years later, an American merchant named Edmund Robert opened talks with Sultan Said in Zanzibar, then the Western capital of the Omani Empire. This led to the signing of a formal treaty in Muscat in1833. Although the relationship between the two countries began long ago, it really didn’t start to evolve until the early 1970s. In 1972, the first US ambassador was accredited to Oman. Numerous events have promoted the growth of the strong and cooperative relationship between Oman and the U.S., as both nations seek to promote their mutual interests in security, prosperity and stability in the Gulf region. The United States and Oman are strategic partners with a long history of close relations and mutual cooperation on a broad spectrum of issues. A tradition of commercial relations dates back to the early days of American independence. The U.S. is Oman’s fourth largest trading partner and its companies are working in sectors from oil and natural gas to manufacturing to provide career opportunities for the young Omanis as part of ‘Omanization’ efforts. The most important pillar of the US-Oman partnership recently has been military cooperation. Oman, as long ago as World War II, has made aircraft facilities on Masirah Island and Salalah available to the American military. As a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) since its formation in 1981, Oman is an essential partner in preserving freedom of navigation in the Gulf and a key participant in regional strategic planning. Its location, wrapped around the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, guards the southern approaches to the Strait of Hormuz across from Iran. Oman was the first Gulf country that negotiated a security cooperation agreement with the U.S.; it was signed in 1980 after the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and the fall of the Shah. This agreement was expanded and renewed in 1990 and is still in effect. Regarding the Middle East region’s struggle with fundamentalists, Sultan Qaboos has publicly stood with the U.S. in condemning terrorism and violence. On numerous occasions, he has spoken out against those who would use terror or the religion of Islam to oppose the peace process or violently oppose stable governments. These two nations strive to share knowledge and experience as they continue to respect and be concerned for the Gulf region’s security and stability. In all the years of the relationship, there has never been any major friction. |
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(1) The
backbone to Oman’s structural growth is Sultan Qaboos (4) A
message from H.E. Ambassador Abdulla Bin Mohamed Al-Dhahab (8) National
economy is moving toward growth (13) Al-Felaij Castle Theatre awakens cultural enlightenment (14) Y2K problem is not much of a threat (15) Historical Frankincense of Oman (16) LNG emerges as a major contributor to the national economy (17) OMAN AT A GLANCE (18) Omani women enjoy liberation as they hold to traditions (19) The Grand Hyatt Muscat: A youthful hotel possessing old heritage and millennium flare | |
Since
1970, The Sultanate of Oman, has had friendly diplomatic relations with
a total of 134 countries representing all the continents. Although they
have not broken off relations with any country, one of the most significant
and enduring relationships is with the United States.