Advertisers (1) Oman LNG LLC (2) PEIE (3) Elixir Holistic Centre (4) HYATT (5) Hilton Salalah (6) OMAN FIBER OPTIC CO. SAOG (7) Oman Tourism A Special International Report Prepared by The Washington Times Advertising Department Written by Ayan Ahmed Project Director Hala Nasreddine For more information, call The Washington Times International Advertising Department at (202) 636-3035 (202) 635-0103 fax e-mail: natlad@wt.infi.net Copyright © 2000 News World Communications, Inc.		A potential successor speaks out briefly on foreign affairs Known to keep a low profile, His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tarek Al-Said, the Secretary-General of Foreign Affairs and the first cousin of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, in a very brief interview, reiterates the message of both the U.S. Ambassador to Oman and the Oman Ambassador to the United States about the important partnership and long history the two nations share. “Things have developed over the years…with the U.S. being a superpower, we look forward to continued relations with the U.S.,” Haitham said, adding that Oman has played it smart” regarding maintaining good relations. Asked about Oman’s urging for a just and comprehensive Middle East peace and whether Oman will become more involved in such efforts, His Highness commented that Oman has always supported the peace process, and, “We will continue to do so,” he said, adding that Oman will help push for a final and just peace in the region. Commenting on Oman’s involvement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Sayyid Haitham said, “Our role has been collective,” in that mutual interests are shared. “The GCC has done a wonderful job in the past 15 years,” he added. Asked about the recent signing of the Test Ban Treaty at the United Nations, His Highness stated, “We didn’t want to be the last to sign this agreement,” adding that Oman will “always be cooperating such treaties and we would like to see others to sign. It is a concern to us that there are some countries who would like to acquire such weapons.” He emphasized the importance of the matter and says, “We would like our region (Gulf region) to be under no destruction.”		Table of Contents (1) The backbone to Oman’s structural growth is Sultan Qaboos (2) Rapid growth continues into a new century (3) U.S. and Oman: An enduring relationship (4) A message from H.E. Ambassador Abdulla Bin Mohamed Al-Dhahab (5) US Ambassador John B. Craig comments on 200-year relationship (6) Why should the U.S. invest in Oman? (7) Coordination paves the way for diversification (8) National economy is moving toward growth (9) A potential successor speaks out briefly on foreign affairs (10) New port breaks into top 20 league (11) Promoting industrialization by giving it a boost (12) OFO seeks to be a global market leader (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 (20) Oman: The Hidden Jewel of the Arabian Peninsula (21) What Can Tourists See and Do in Oman?