tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62838451252082687982024-03-07T22:45:57.067+04:00Muscat ConfidentialEx-Expatriate who was living in Muscat, Oman, Middle East for too long, but still blogs about the place.
Biased and usually irreverent opinions on life and business goings on in The Sultanate of Oman, a quiet and beautiful country bordering the Indian Ocean.Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.comBlogger613125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-50453742143844707542014-05-27T18:39:00.000+04:002014-05-27T18:39:52.139+04:00New visa laws causing a stir - impact will be chaoticWhile corruption may be making the news overseas, here in Oman amongst the chattering expat class the scuttlebutt is all about those new visa laws. <br />
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Blogger of all things social in the english speaking community, Muscat Mutterings great summary of the new laws and their application in practice <a href="http://www.muscatmutterings.com/2014/05/an-update-on-visa-situation.html">here</a>.
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Essentially, while the law is made to look reasonable, the Ministry of Manpower have ensured no-one will be given a no objection certificate, the magic NOC, as required by the law to change jobs to a new employer.<br />
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So, if you want to change jobs, you can't even if you've been working for years, because your employer will refuse an NOC. To change jobs you have to leave the country for 2 years.<br />
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Ostensibly this is an attempt to bolster Omanisation. By forcing expats to leave through withdrawing visas from employers, the theory is that employers will replace them with Omani new hires. Yeah right.
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I wonder what will really happen? Employers will retain expats even more than usual, because they know they won't get a visa to replace them. Salaries for expats will rise, as their scarce resource means fewer of them. Plus, employers who do loose visas will fail to find qualified Omanis, will either reduce business, or find ways around the system, by employing on the black market and bribing officials to issue visas or to look the other way when the inspectors visit. The big oligarchs will as usual be exempted, by being in roles we all accept cannot be omanised, like construction ,or can afford enough sleeping Omani employees to meet the % required.<br />
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As usual with these sort of top down, outcome specifying laws, they will fail and only create unintended consequences. Well done Ministry of Manpower! <br />
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In other news, it was nice to see His Majesty greeting a visitor from Europe at the palace. I was getting concerned that he was out of the country. He has been busy getting things in order for the corruption trials:<br />
- prisons up to agreed international specifications? check, issued decree 25/2014 ratifying Arab prison agreement. <br />
- money laundering up to date and international standards? check, issued decree 27/2014, ratifying the 2010 Cairo Arab convention on anti- money laundering and terrorism financing.<br />
- corruption laws being applied not arbitrary, but fair and international standard? check, issued decree 28/2014 ratifying Arab anti-corruption convention, plus already finally signed up for the UN anti-corruption standards too. <br /><br />
Whew. I wouldn't be too confident of those appeals succeeding.
<div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-13540279131657685282014-05-24T05:29:00.001+04:002014-05-24T05:29:35.258+04:00Dodgy deal suggestions the new Anti-Corruption investigators could look into...As the corruption prosecutions continue, I noticed how recent the events being used in evidence were. Juma Al Hinai, ex-head of Petroleum Development Oman's major tender board, was the Ministry of Finance's representative who chaired the tender board. Ostensibly there to provide independent oversight of the operator of most of Oman's oil production, instead he was caught with over $2 million in cash in his house and convicted of accepting a bribe from Galfar in 2011.<br />
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2011<br />
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Mr Al Hinai ran that tenderboard for years. Are we to imagine that this was his first indiscretion? Yeah, right. <br />
it turns out that Juma Al Hinai also took money from OHI, a huge contractor, since the CEO Behram Divecha was just sentenced to 17 years and fined 1.2 million rials, for allegedly bunging old Juma a few 100k for each OHI contract he got through. Sweet deal. At the time. But where does this rabbit hole go? How could you be a director of a company paying massive amounts in bribes, in cash, and not know about it? Are we to believe a lifetime expat employee independently was withdrawing huge amounts of cash and noone noticed?
And who in the banks facilitated these transactions? Interesting lines of inquiry indeed officer!
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Equally, that an Ex-Minister gave a $1 million bribe to an undersecretary for the airport contract (see previous post), suggests the practice of bribing government officials involved with big construction projects was pervasive and accepted. So, looking back through the Dragon's archives, here are just a few deals that Muscat Confidential reckon the ISS and Government prosecutors could be looking into, because they really don't (and never did) look right:<br />
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1 - Omantel's purchase of <a href="http://muscatconfidential.blogspot.com/2007/11/omantel-spends-large-on-strange.html"> WorldCall Pakistan.</a><br />
In 2008, Omantel, a publicly traded company but still majority Government owned at the time, spent $200 million buying 65% of a small telcom company in Pakistan from a reclusive Omani businessman Sheikh Sulieman Ahmad Said Al Hoqani. This, even at the time, represented a huge premium on the traded share price - Omantel paid 25 PKR rupee per share, when a few months earlier it had been at around 10 PKR. Meanwhile, Omantel have pumped in an extra $70 million in cash, as the company continues to bleed cash since the first day of purchase.<br />
As of yesterday, these shares were trading at 2.4 KPR, less than 10% of the purchase price, not including the 40% depreiation in the value of the PKR in US$ from 2008 until now. Market cap of Worldcall is now just US$20 million, with operating losses last year of about US$16 million. All metrics look terrible (negative and increasingly negative EPS, total debt is about 5 x market cap...) Why did Omantel's then CEO, Mohammed bin Ali Al
Wahaibi, buy this useless, endebted, loss making company for a huge premium from an Omani businessman? Just coincidence, I'm sure.
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2 - <a href="http://muscatconfidential.blogspot.com/2011/05/capital-area-yacht-centre-cayc-under.html">OMRAAN</a><br />
The commercial arm of the Ministry of Tourism, Omraan has been playing as an Integrated Tourist Development project developer for quite a while. In the rush to get a venue acceptable to host the Asian Beach games, the usual tender procedures were suspended and OMRAAN got to spend as much as it liked getting things ready. In addition, the highly dubious attempts by MoT and Omraan to try and aquire the beautiful Capital Area Yacht Centre (CAYC) by apparently any means - bullying, threats, multiple legal action, refusal to accept the deed to the land signed by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos.<br/><br />
As far as I can see, they have done precious little except launch project after project [Yeti, anyone?] that are pretty much all either uselessly stalled after masses of money spent, or, badly built white elephants in the middle of nowhere, or, stealing real estate worth gazzillions and effectively turning public space into private and gov/oligarch Joint Ventures. <br /><br/> As it was not, strictly, a government department, Omraan could bypass normal government tender board procedures, and we know how strict those were, dont we? Oh, and the head of Omraan was a close relative of the then Minister ( now deceased). <br /><br />
And don't forget that disaster that was and is
<a href="http//muscatconfidential.blogspot.com/2008/09/oman-ferries-loosing-money-like-crazy.html">
the high speed ferry
</a>. I know, they supposedly have a secret military capabilty if required, after a quick conversion, but still. What a turkey. Executed in the most bungled cock up way imaginable, with unsuitable ferries that burn fuel and can't dock anywhere 3 years after buying them. I'd laugh, but this is where the oil money is being poured down the drain. Now why would anyone do that?
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3 - <a href="http://muscatconfidential.blogspot.com/2010/05/and-lucky-winner-is-plus-more-on-blue.html">Blue City</a>
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Although a private company, the Omani Blue City partners who owned Cyclone LLC, 'HE' Anees Issa Mohamed al Zadjali (a newspaper editor working for his Dad's paper Times Of Oman) & His Royal Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq al Said (His Majesty's cousin and Minister of Heritage and Culture), cost the country a heap of money. The way they got the land from the Government for almost nothing (on paper they paid around $80 million, for prime land that was later valued at almost $1 billion, plus a few extra prime km2 they kept apart from the development for themselves). The Government, via the Omani Investment Fund, eventually repurchased the secured bonds of the bankrupt company at 65 cents in the dollar from international investors, paying around $400 million to avoid an embarrassing claim on the land by Japanese investors.<br />
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If HH Sayyid Haitham really is on the official short list of those few Al Said males eligible to succeed His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, I hope he has had a big improvement in his judgement since the Blue City debacle. Let's all hope he would leave running the economy to someone actually qualified to do so...<br />
but guys, ignore the private sector financial stuff. Focus on the original smoking gun: the initial land transactions. There's investigational gold in them there abandoned villas by the beach.
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-72868414249770791422014-05-21T04:47:00.000+04:002014-05-21T04:47:40.853+04:00Momentum builds in anti-corruption convictions: Ex Minister confesses to massive briberyWell, well, <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/05/18/uk-oman-corruption-sentences-idUKKBN0DY0FC20140518">well</a>. <br />
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There must be a lot of very nervous important people in Muscat right now. The corruption trials are rolling out the "Guilty" verdicts faster than a shwarma shop on a Thursday night, and big people are being sentenced to real jail time. Oman doesn't do nice prisons.*
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The latest to fall is a very tall tree indeed - Mohammed bin Nasir Al-Khusaibi was found guilty (he confessed and expressed remorse) of paying bribes worth US$1 million to the (now ex-)undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communication for civil aviation, to win a contract for his company employer CCC- plus likely as local partner himself a big bonus - the first phase of the Muscat International Airport. Mr Al-Khusaibi was (briefly) a Minister, and before that a very powerful figure in the now disbanded but once omnipotent Ministry of National Economy. He's now bunking next to big abdullah the axe murder for 3 years.<br />
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Mohammed Al-Amri, who served as said undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communication, was jailed for three years, fined 1.2 million rials and barred from public office for 30 years. The court also sentenced Fathi Alaaiddin, the managing director of aforementioned Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC Oman), to six months in jail and fined him 400,000 rials.<br />
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This February, Muscat’s Court of First Instance threw the book at the CEO of state-owned Oman Oil Company, Ahmad al-Wahaibi, a scion of one of the big families very close to the Sultan from the 1970s coup d'etat days, giving him <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/27/us-oman-corruption-sentences-idUSBREA1Q1OW20140227"> jail sentences</a> totaling 23 years after convicting him of accepting bribes, money laundering and abuse of office. It seems the palaces, sports cars, huge salary and the life of privilege wasn't enough, and young Al Wahaibi felt he needed a few million stashed away. Yanni, you know how it is.<br />
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Now, these are just the verdicts issued by Muscat's Court of First Instance, and are still subject to appeal, so who knows what might happen there. If the convictions and sentences are upheld in the first appeals, people will be really looking over their shoulders. Now that the prosecutors are getting successes and confessions, the list of others facing solid evidence of them pocketing the envelopes stuffed with rials will skyrocket as many of those implicated at all levels confess and in turn offer to turn State's Evidence. And Omani courts love a good confession. <br />
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As more people talk, and more cell phones and emails are searched, the evidence will mount and the anti-corruption net will inevitably be cast wider and wider, gaining more informants looking to save themselves by confession and implicating others. Say what you like about the internal security boys and girls, but give them this sort of trail to follow and they will be pretty damn efficient, if that's what the person giving the marching orders, er, orders. <br />
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And person who gives the ISS those orders is HM, directly. Don't think for a second that the ISS is like the Ministry of Manpower. They get first dibs on recruitment and get shit done when required, especially a special assignment for His Majesty. It is amazing how talkative people get when assisting the ISS and ROP with their enquiries. <br />
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Where will it end? Clearly the current crop of prosecutions has the full support of His Majesty. The public verdict against Mohammed bin Nasir Al-Khusaibi is unprecedented both here and abroad. The ripples from this conviction - of someone recently so very very close to absolute power - are causing waves in nearby shorelines: UAE, The Kingdom, Kuwait and Bahrain are all experiencing similar corruption issues, if anything writ much larger. <br />
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But His Majesty must be aware of the danger of this becoming a witch hunt driven solely through absolute power as Sultan and direct administrative and executive power too. Much like a run on a bank, if the herd of capital and talent feel that this is going to be 'everyone', or in other words, 'them' rather than someone else, then the herd will panic and stampede for the exits.
There's a reason all those palaces on the coast have big ocean going boats in sheds beneath. And private jets. And bank accounts outside Switzerland, if they know whats good for them I guess! Most of these guys are running so much leverage and debt anyway, net capital employed allowing for depreciation over the years is probably 9/10s of fuck-all. So they can split guys. If it gets to the point when you are selectively culling people for relatively minor criminal acts everyone was doing as a matter of common knowledge just to do business, be careful.
Yet right now, HM Sultan Qaboos, Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and commander of Oman's Armed Services, Police and Internal Security services is sending a pretty damn crystal clear message. <i>Por encourage les autres</i>So a few more heads are going to roll. A benign dictatorship may not be how things are being described in the prison exercise yard right now. Your view on the benign part may depend on your perspective, but I reckon 99% of Omanis and residents are more than happy to see a few more heads in the basket right now. Metaphorically speaking.
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Email me with any tips. I'm back in the saddle for a while. Lets see where this goes.
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* Note. The Americans a few years ago issued Oman a formal complaint at the state of their prison system and the conditions people were held in. When the Americans, people who run an international gulag of secret prisons and who imprison more % of their population than anyone else, are lecturing you on your prison service, you have a pretty shitty prison service. Perhaps the delay in the trials vs the 'Arab Spring' kickoff was not to assemble an independent prosecutors office and gather evidence, but to build the new VIP wing at the prison... wonder who the contractor was, Galfar or CCC? Just an idea chaps, better check that new wing for secret tunnels eh? Not that you could bribe anyone to do that, obviously.
<div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-88057775206800297912014-05-19T08:38:00.002+04:002014-05-19T08:38:36.646+04:00Undercover Dragon on OmanisationWell, its been a nice slow weekend here in the castle. And I was pleasantly surprised by the email alert that famous Oman blogger Suburban had revisited the sleepy sultanate and was reporting on progress with Omanisation in her inimitable style. Heck it even drew old Jet Driver out of the woodwork. Wonderful! <br />
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Much to the disappointment of many of my ... readers... I am not writing this from the bowels of an Omani gulag. But I did sneak in for a visit recently as well. Immigration were very welcoming, bought some champagne on the way in, and headed for the hotel. More on that later perhaps. <br />
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But first I'd like to weigh in on this Omanisation issue. Suburban has already nailed point one - the Ministries. Far too large an employer wrt the economy, it encourages red tape, and means the bar is set so low, it drains motivation and competition from the local job market. It also feeds low level corruption and wasta, by empowering the mid level permit stampers to issue visas, permits for construction, plan and develop public infrastructure in partnership with the big wastafarians, etc etc etc. <br />
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So what can be done? Ok, apart from the ministry reforms everyone says is impossible, here are some ideas wrt policy. <br />
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1. Get rid of the sponsorship system. Phase it out if necessary. But this modern codification of (low wage) slavery is disgraceful. Get proper visas issued, in a public and transparent way instead of behind closed doors. The current system encourages and enables a culture of the rentier economy, where it's all "I dont need to work, I'll just (buy) a few indians and filipinos and they will do all the work. Then I'll get them to each earn an extra sum each month and pay it to me. I'll take their passports so they will have no recourse but to work for me". Go kids! While it may work for a while, a target business model for an entire society based on parasitising a vast underclass of exploited and enslaved people from another country, sufficient to supply all daily needs,... yuck. It may work for Dubai, but it shouldn't be a future to aspire to for Oman I think. <br />
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2. Citizenship. There should be a path to citizenship for long term non omani. <br />
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3. Minimum wage, enforced, for all employees, even 1 employee. Effectively raise the cost of hiring an expat for low level low skill jobs, such that its more doable for an omani. If the mcdonalds francise has to increase prices a tad, so be it. We eat too much of that shit anyway. <br />
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4. Make it easier to hire and fire omanis, albeit that you must replace them with an other omani. 2 weeks notice. 1 week per year employed as severance. Have a national pension fund system that you only can buy into via employment, but it moves with you from job to job. Do not let this be taken over by the ministry employees. <br />
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5. Encourage employment to be more flexible. Omanis seem to need a lot of time off during the day. Ok. Set things up more flexibly, so they can work different hours, or work part time and get paid less. Flex days, strict medical leave limits, days off without pay, etc etc. Imposing a western 9-5, 5 days a week, is not working. <br />
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6. Do more to get omani women into business and starting SMEs. We need more female entrepreneurial talent. Slap back any of this Saudi or Iranian influenced bullshit that women should be cloaked and locked away. In my experience, omani women were smarter, more dedicated, paid more attention to detail, got stuff done with less excuses, on time and more reliable, and generally were by far the better employee than the average omani male. Just saying. <br />
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7. Do more to get omanis into the oil field services businesses. Have more dedicated trade schools, run and administered by business segments, starting at high school. Target 'villages' that can effectively supply all the labour for certain businesses and installations: ports, factories, etc. Go with the grain on our tribalism and family, by having 'company towns' where the schooling, home life, and education are focused on the village trade/factory/product. <br />
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8. Increase use of automation and advanced capital machinery. Ie instead of having 25 Afghanistan workers dig a trench with 18th century picks and shovels, have an omani in a modern, air conditioned beast of a machine made in Korea or even China these days. Do more prefab construction in big air conditioned factories, where omanis and robots could make prefab wall panels, housing modules, even complete housing effectively, probably more efficiently and making construction more like a real inside industrial job. <br />
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9. Do more on tourism, especially within the middle east, China and Africa. Have tourist resorts that are 'dry' and ones that are not. Stop sitting on the fence. Have some resorts that are halal, and the rest for the rest. I've always liked the idea of a casino in the Omani enclave within the UAE. It would make an absolute killing. Do what singapore does, and charge omanis 100 rials to go to reduce locals gambling. But focus on the uae. It would employ loads and loads of omanis. Find a way around the religion thing. And please let me be a partner. Or a few catering concessions... <br />
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10. Have a solidly independent administered and graded entrance exam to be a gov employee. Freeze government numbers wrt full time employees. <br />
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11. Allow a broader civil society, with think tanks working on policy options. Most oman laws, especially from the disaster that is the ministry of manpower, seem to be written in a hurry, and are badly and broadly crafted mainly with a view to dictating outcomes with a legislative magic wand, rather than proactively enabling those positive outcomes through first principals. Free the media and the inline media. They are the means by which the government is held accountable. Media must be far more de-expatised. At the moment, the cowering indian staff of most media outlets are so afraid of pissing someone off and being deported and criminalised they are useless as a true 4th estate. And the omanis in charge are so entwined with the government, they are pliant in supplying the propaganda and the advertising money. <br />
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Look at how poor Andy in Oman, possibly the most genuinely nice person I've seen online in the omani bloggosphere, is being attacked and vilified in the national press. Disgraceful. (I do wonder Andy, why the Al Zedjalis have developed this weird pathological hatred of bloggers and online opinions... it is very peculiar. ) <br />
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So, there we go. Must get back to the pool and the champagne. It looks like Ms Dragon needs some lotion applied. <br />
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But Suburban is right. If Omanisation keeps going the way it is, oman will go down the tubes. Far too much of the economy is totally based on oil and gas, and the income from these depleting resources are not growing in line with the population. You do the math. <div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-53983527444950758022013-09-25T21:26:00.002+04:002013-09-25T21:26:48.424+04:00the pendulum swings: creeping wahhabism cracks the whip via Ministry of Tourism
Ahh, the Ministry of Tourism.
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The recent report on Muscat mutterings describing the crack down on bars and live music is very disturbing. This is not about tourists. Or expats who whine about moving to Do-buy. This is about the Oman government cracking down on omanis, and deciding what omanis can do in their own country. And apparently having a party with a band and dancing is verboten! <br><br> This is a clear side effect of giving more power to the religious <s> parties </s> representatives in the al shura. This is creeping Islamism. The rich, the wastafarians, the expats in their gated communities, they'll be fine. The tourists will get sorted. <br><br> is this the price for the defence of the Arab spring whirlwind? Less secular and independent institutions out the window, bring on the politically controlled religious police ruling by edict in the name of His Majesty. Pity. <div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-35306184506728073652013-09-17T09:31:00.000+04:002013-09-17T09:31:57.867+04:00gas deal with Iran announced. big deal if followed through.
While the Government works to protect Omanis from the corrupting influence of having the press mentioning homosexuality, other government ministries have been more productive. The recent visit of His Majesty to the Islamic republic of Iran resulted in the signing of a deal on getting Iranian gas. The Iranian press release stated that the deal would involve 30 million cubic meters of natural gas per day. That's a significant amount. Even more interesting was that the Iranian oil minister also quoted a price, saying the deal would give Iran (a much needed) 2 billion dollars per year, sanction free. Doing some quick math then is sufficient to work out a gas price of $5.17 per MMBTU, assuming the Iranians pay for the development of the gas field. <br><br>
Actually, that's the big if. Who will pay for the development, don't know. I suspect Oman will at least have to kick in loans for the infrastructure, and 'pay' for the development.
<br><br>That would be a great price for Oman, and would certainly be cheaper than say, domestic shale gas. The gas would provide enough gas to support the demands of gas-hungry Petroleum Development Oman, and leave extra for re-export as LNG for Korea and Japan at more than twice the price. Win for Oman, as right now the country is 'gas short', with such demand from PDO, desalination and power generation that the country has about 20% of its LNG capacity sitting idle due to lack of gas reserveAlso a win for Iran as that's 2 billion more than they are getting now, as well as tying the 2 countries together. Also a win for the Asian customers, as demand for LNG is very high after Japan's nuclear problems, and more gas will help lower spot prices. <div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-87463282263826096112013-09-13T11:36:00.000+04:002013-09-14T08:25:57.722+04:00so, where has the absent landlord been lately? And BLUE CITY... PART 3! The missing blog post...It's been about 3 years I guess since I left Oman. And about year since I even logged on to my accounts here at Muscat Confidential. I just, well, lost interest, and being a long way away, I had so many other things to do. Meanwhile, My inbox on my email has over 6000 spam comments. Unmoderated. <br><br>
So, what has the Dragon been up to this past year? Well, Ms. Dragon and I are still very happy living in a Western country, raising little dragons and living the good life. My treasure generating capabilities are being handsomely appreciated by my new employer, and the champagne cupboard is well stocked. No-one in this country is being threatened with jail for publishing articles on human sexuality or voicing opinions on a blog.<br><br>
My contacts in the Oman security services reliably inform me there is no flag on my file, so I could return to the sultanate without any nasty surprises at the airport courtesy of the Blue City lads or the ministry of information. I may well do so, as we do miss the place, and it would be great to hit the beaches and see old friends again. We'll probably wait until winter though! .<br><br>
Ahh, Blue City. Google it yourself, if you don't know what I'm referring to! <br><br><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_City,_Oman">original cocaine fuelled description of blue city wiki entry - what a laugh!</a><br><br>
Blue City Part 3<br><br>
Blue city was poised on the brink of success back then. Before the crash. Everything was in place. The Bahrainis had arranged the finance, almost a billion dollars borrowed from the Japanese, albeit at a cost of nearly 30 million dollars to the mysterious swiss false-Oppenheimers. The 2 oman partners, one a subeditor in his dad's newspaper, the other the nephew of the ruler of the country and a governemnt minister, had a pot of money ( at that stage about 200 million they could actually get their hands on, the rest was all locked up in strange trust accounts administered by bank melon ny) that should have been enough to build around 30% of the original plan. All they had to do was sell the houses and apartments, build a marina and several hotels, and use that money to build it as they went.The real estate market was hot, and they were all going to make a killing. Billions of dollars. Snapped up by eager buyers from everywhere. They'd nabbed the land for a song via an inside deal. For less than a 100 million [on paper $85million was paid to the government for all the land, plus the partners kept about 4 hectares of prime stuff for them selves, seperate from blue city, btw. I suspect they probably bought the stuff with a post dated cheque that was paid by the loan anyhow], they had bought gorgeous, beach front land for what would later be officially appraised at over a billion dollars.<br><br>
Sweet. <br><br> only one problem. As the local partners had no fucking clue about how to do a mega-real estate development with dodgy financing, design a plan that made sense and the whole legal pile of paper required to get the rating to allow stupid Japanese Bankers to invest other people's money. <br><br> so they had, right from the start a partner, who did everything except get the land. A Bahraini who was already delivering highly leveraged developments in Bahrain. To get him to arrange the deal, with no money on their part, they had had to give him majority control and ownership. The Bahraini's had 70% of the shares. So the local investors essentially locked him out, literally, by not letting him into the building. They <s> bought off </s> paid the existing CEO a cool million I'm told, to hold his nose and do what he was told. They then recruited a good american real estate guy with a record in the UAE. They didnt sell many properties, because by the time they had redesigned everything, renegotiated contracts, restaffed the place, built themselves a 2 million dollar sales office, contractor camp, and were just about out of money to keep up the payments to the contractor.... the financial crisis hit. If only they hadnt delayed those crucial 2 years and pissed away all the money. Ooops. Meanwhile, before the shit hit the fan, they sued in the courts for 100% ownership of the project over some bizarre technicality, wasting more time. Upheld at first, overturned on appeal, but the case finally returned to them in the supreme court. (Wink wink. ) , And Mr Editor, with zero experience in real estate, took over operational control of Blue City. Living it up large as the genius who who build this new city. All fired up on his own marketing and ego. He was a friend of michael jackson, dont you know. And his marketing person from italy was very very high performing im told, even if her salary was 7000 rials a month. Thats about 250000 dollars a year tax free, plus expenses. As the Bahraini company had done the master plan, with south African contractors who hadn't been paid either, they could keep the plan, it wasn't grand enough and it made their legal case untenable if they kept the original plans, tainted as they were by being done by the Bahraini s. thus the new team under the guidance of the <s> paperboy</s> Chairman and CEO proceeded to spend the remaining cash like no tomorrow. They did a whole new redesign, by a renowned company (Norman Foster, no less). They commissioned golf courses, travelled far and wide ( business class for the plebs, first for the principals), paid mediocre expats vast salaries, paid to win so-called awards for design and their grandious plans for a new capital. It would require vast government infrastructure investments, but hey, I'm sure one of the owners could handle that. <br><br>
And Blue City, as we all said it would, went bust. The poor loss making Japanese bankers were bought out by the omani government investment fund at about 65cents in the dollar via a shell UAE company fronting the deal (more huge fees to middlemen), for the secured notes that would have enabled the bondholders to foreclose on the land. The half constructed hotels and apartment buildings are left surrounded by barren wasteland. The people who paid a deposit for apartments I presume were bailed out on the quiet by the government, and perhaps the government at least collected on the insurance and escrow funds, and nobody said anything. No front page articles in the week. All that happened is basically a couple of totally inexperienced Oman businessmen blew around 1% of the countries GDP on a megalomaniacal exploitative real estate deal that they totally screwed up due to their exceptional incompetence, greed and hubris. When they went spectacularly bankrupt, then they were rescued by the government, off the official books via the sovereign wealth fund, spending 500 million dollars to rebuy a piece of land they had owned before and had sold for 85 million. Blue city declared bankruptcy and the contractor left the country. All the expats were slowly sacked, most without what they were promised. It was a total cockup. Costing the country about a half a billion. And it was all wasted. Pissed away. By a well connected pair of amateurs who managed to borrow vast amounts under the aegis of the Royal Family, and got so gready the couldn't stand the idea of only making around 300 - 600 million for basically nothing. They had to have it all. Ah well. And nobody went to jail, because if youve got that sort of wasta, well, then the government bails you out on the sly with the public's money. <br><br>so that's alright then.
<br><br> and that folks, was Blue City, part 3. Finally.
<br><br><div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-55829680564122867562013-09-10T08:52:00.002+04:002013-09-10T08:52:16.051+04:00
Wow. It's a little strange to be back. But seeing Oman back in the international news over the 'The Outsiders' homosexuality cover story in The Week, and the not surprising news that the Government shut them down and are prosecuting the editor and journalist under Omans draconian press laws, prompted me to reactivate Muscat Confidential. <br>
<br>
My old post from 2010, where I published an interview with a gay expat living in Oman - here's the link <a href="http://muscatconfidential.blogspot.ca/2010/02/exclusive-interview-being-gay-in.html">exclusive interview being gay in Oman</a> - has being getting a lot of traffic lately, as searches prompted by the article find it. Looking back at that post now I'm still proud of it. It holds true today.
<br><br>
I was frankly amazed when I read about The Week publishing something on being gay. OK, not what I would call a very good story, starting out by essentially inferring the gentleman was somehow made gay by being molested as an 8 year old. But I quibble. It was a very brave thing to put on the cover. Given the tremendous homophobic feelings in public Oman society, the editor must have know what a shit-storm it would generate. I hope it was deliberate.
<br><br>
Oman is far from alone in having anti-homosexual laws, let's face it. (Russia anyone?) But I do wish people would look at the science, which clearly shows that being sexually attracted to the same gender is fixed at birth. Which makes sense, because in this world who would choose to be gay? But as with all bigotry, be it a hatred of skin colour, or gender, or race, or even being say, a Muslim in the West, this too is rooted in fear of the unknown and ignorance. Try being gay in most places in this world, and you're in for a bad time in the public sphere. <br> <br>
So while I think criminalisation of what 2 consenting adults do with each other in private is always a dumb idea in my opinion, this is about reporting, not where someone sticks their dick. If the Sultan of Oman wants to make such sexual acts criminal, i guess His Majesty is entitled to do so, with laws being inhumane and unenforceable not being a problem with Oman's laws in other areas either. But to criminalise a news report on what is actually real, something that is true, well, that's really stupid. I didn't realise pandering to the ignorant and the bigoted was the 'for public consumption' official Ministry of information policy.
<br> Blindfolds all round when it comes to homosexuality in The Sultanate I guess. No change there. <br> For goodness sake, let's not allow reality to impinge on our newspapers. We might have to face reality. And talk about it rationally. Never really a strong suit of Oman society. <br><br> Enforcement of our strong cultural traditions of intellectual denial and the defence of ignorance continue unabated. Business as usual. <br><br>So that's alright then. <div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-88346969733576024522012-07-16T08:35:00.000+04:002012-07-16T08:35:35.740+04:00Did the Omani Government break the law by publishing the photos of the activists jailed last week?<br />
<br />
Everyone knows that the poets, 'activists' and others that were convicted of insulting his Majesty, Sultan Qaboos, have been sentenced to between 6 months and 1 year in prison.<br />
<br />
And everyone who writes, comments, blogs, host's a forum, or writes or edits a newspaper seems worried that more arrests are likely.<br />
Here's the report from the UAE's Gulf News:
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
Muscat: Literati in Oman has reacted angrily to government-owned media’s decision to publish photographs of four writers/poets in prison uniforms after being convicted by the Primary Court in Muscat last week.
Both official dailies – Arabic as well as English – published the court verdict against Hamoud Al Rashdi (writer), Ali Al Muqbali (blogger), Hamad Al Kharousi (poet) and Mohammad Al Rawahi (poet) along with their photographs in prison uniform. The government-owned Oman News Agency had carried the news along with the photographs.
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Three of the activists have been sentenced to one year in prison and one to six months in prison.
Fifty nine signatories, including writers, poets, journalists, lawyers, activists, teachers, theatre personalities, students, and bloggers, demanded an apology from the news agency as well as publications for publishing the picture of four convicted activists with their photograph in prison uniform. <br />
<br />
The signatories pointed out that the decision by the official media to publish the photographs of four convicted by the court was an unprecedented one and insulting to the four intellectuals in the country.
All the signatories have termed it unacceptable and threatened boycott of Oman News Agency and two newspapers unless they apologise for publishing the pictures. “They are not traitors nor are they hard-core criminals then why publish their pictures that too in prison uniforms?” demanded writer Ebrahim Saeed.<br />
<br />
He told Gulf News that it was sad that the report also carried graphic details of the convicted activists, including their birth place, tribe, residential place etc.<br />
<br />
“It was shocking to see the report with picture of respected Omani poets and writers in prison uniform,” Turki Al Balushi, founder of Oman’s newest online publication http://albaladoman.com/ , told Gulf News.
Yaqoub Al Harthi, lawyer for some of the detained activists, told Gulf News that there was no need to publish details and photographs after conviction of the four.<br />
<br />
“Some of them have made a mistake,” Al Harthi agreed, saying that writing against the country’s leader on social media was a mistake but didn’t deserve the kind of publicity given to their conviction in the official media.
“What was the need to publish graphic details of the activists and their photographs in prison uniform?” he questioned.<br />
<br />
The official Arabic daily, ‘Oman’, in an edit, clarified that it had no intention of insulting the convicted activists but as a whole news package it was decided to publish the photographs. The edit also confirmed that the Omani literati had sent a memorandum condemning the publication of the photographs.
<br />
<br />
<b>Meanwhile, Al Harthi also said that the lawyers have had no opportunity for one-on-one meetings with the detained activists. “We have had to meet our clients only in the presence of guards,” he added.
He represents Esmail Al Muqbali, who has been detention for over a month. “I have met Esmail only once in court in the presence of guards,” he said worriedly.</b>
However, Al Harthi said that last Wednesday he was informed by the authorities that he can meet his clients (activists) in the central prison in Sumayil. “I am still not sure if I would get to meet who and how,” he said.
Esmail was one of the first three activists to be held when they went to meet striking workers of contractors working for the oil companies.<br />
<br />
The protest by the 400-odd Omani employees of private contractors working for oil companies was the latest protests in Oman since the first Green Rally taken out in January last year after Arab Spring sparked protest in Tunisia and Egypt.
The protests in Oman were different. People demanded employment, better working condition, improved wages and removal of alleged corrupt officials. The protests in some places, mainly Sohar turned violent and fatal but overall the protests were peaceful.
Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed responded positively by ordering creation of 50,000 jobs, starting unemployment allowance, making major changes to the cabinet and granting more powers to the elected Shura council.
</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
Well done to those publicly and bravely calling for some review of this whole affair. Is someone in the Public Prosecution deliberately doing this to inflame people's opinions AGAINST HM Sultan Qaboos? Because this is really really stupid. And when something really stupid happens in Oman, it's usually some idiot in the Government, not asking HM what to do.
<br />
<br />
I can only interpret this as a knee jerk reaction from the old guard who somehow don't watch TV or surf the internet I guess. Because a few signs and some blogging that sort-of criticise HM is hardly the stuff of sedition. But strikes will certainly hurt the rich and powerful businessmen.<br />
<br />
The problem I've always had are these incompetent fools in positions of power who already use the vast swathes of the law - a law that already makes it illegal to do or publish almost anything in reference to the Government - to then go on and wrap themselves in the protection of lese majesty laws. They wave HM's name to cover their own sins. <br />
<br />
As a result, Oman is being unfairly dragged into the mud of international opinion that's putting us in the company of Bahrain and Saudi, and begging ignorant comparisons even with Yemen and Syria. <br />
<br />
But then to top it off by publishing their photo and biography is quite unbelievable. They have no idea that while most Omanis, knowing only what is in the official media, may not like these protestors I don't think they want them in jail on such petty charges when we know that is not why they are really being arrested.<br />
<br />
Overseas followers of Muscat Confidential should understand that this publishing of their pics is illegal in Oman and strongly goes against the traditions of the culture. Why to even publish the photo of a common thief is agreed to be an insult to their family (who are innocent, goes the argument) and is illegal under defamation laws.<br />
<br />
Or it seemed to be. Because now the Government have published these photos, almost it seems as a deliberate slap in the face to them, their families and associates. Clear intimidation. <br />
<br />
So, what I want to know is Mr Public Prosecutor, is it still illegal to publish details and photos of convicted people, and thus by implication that the Government has broken that defamation law? Or is it suddenly not illegal to do this now, so Muscat Daily can now have a Court Report, complete with photos and full names?<br />
<br />
Or is it perhaps that you <b>just make this shit up as you go </b>? Because you are so used to doing what you like, arresting who you like, bullying who you like, always having your way because you're so sure you're in the right, and because you're the Government, you're untouchable by definition?<br />
<br />
And denying them legal advice achieves what, exactly? <br />
<br />
Does no-one in this abysmal mis-handled cock-up of a response (to a few people making a nuisance of themselves to the Oligarchs) even notice that the Government are breaking the very same law and tradition that captures the moral spirit of the laws they are at the same time using to put some harmless poets and shit-stirrers in jail for a year?? [slap forehead]<br />
<br />
His Majesty must move to more rapidly develop a constitutional monarchy, with an administration founded on the generation born after he came to power. There needs to be a significantly greater separation between His Majesty and Government, so lese majesty laws (which within reason seem perfectly OK to me as they apply to a Sovereign) can be removed from restricting public protests and discussions on Government and policy. <br />
<br />
The system could be inspired by that of Jersey, one of the Sandwich Islands, ruled by the Sovereign of the British Isles for more than 900 years, with an appointed Governor and head of Parliament with elected members.<br />
<br />
Which is ironic, because the current massive over-reaction to a few Omanis with the balls to complain are reminiscent of Queen Elizabeth alright, except it's Queen Elizabeth the first. You don't see Lizzie throwing people in the Tower of London for such petty nonsense, it's beneath her to stoop to such things. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Time is running out Sultan Qaboos. Because these other idiots all seem to think that they can behave as if they are the Sultan, throwing their weight around and telling people what to say, what to do, if it doesn't please <i>them</i>. Oman is increasing full of little dictators who abuse the system of governance to put these draconian laws between themselves and the people. <br />
<br />
Oh, and where are the corruption investigations? Or is the official position that there isn't any? Because HM has nothing to fear from the people, as we all know. It's only incompetent Ministers and their minions who need worry about them I guess. And<b> that's </b>what this is really all about, isn't it Mr. Public Prosecution?<div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-76767208094618422092012-07-05T20:40:00.001+04:002012-07-05T20:40:14.922+04:00Oman Football Association scores own goal with FIFA<br />
The Oman Football Association were in a spot of bother earlier this month. 3 clubs had taken the Association to court in a squabble over who runs things, and won a decision to overturn t he election of FIFA's official body in the Sultanate.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
FIFA were not impressed, and responded that no court tells FIFA what to do, and that they had observed and approved the election. They sent the OFA a letter stating that should the courts decision be implemented, they would throw Oman out of FIFA, meaning no World cup 2014 qualifying matches.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
FIFA has reminded the Oman Football Association that all FIFA member associations must manage their affairs independently and without influence of any third parties, as clearly stipulated in articles 13 and 17 of the FIFA Statutes. This is in relation to the apparent award by the Administrative Court in the Sultanate of Oman on 25 June 2012 following an appeal by three OFA clubs, in connection with the OFA elections of August 2011, the enforcement of which would allegedly entail the nullification of said elections and the organisation of a new electoral process,
FIFA confirms that the OFA elections were held under the strict observation of FIFA and AFC representatives and that those representatives duly asserted that the procedure of the election of the Board of Directors was carried out in accordance and conformity with the precepts of the OFA statutes.
FIFA stresses that article 64 of the FIFA Statutes state that recourse to ordinary courts is, as a general rule, prohibited and that all FIFA member associations must ensure this stipulation is adhered to by their members.
Should the aforementioned award of the Administrative Court materialise, the matter would be referred to the relevant FIFA bodies to take appropriate measures, which could extend to an immediate and indefinite suspension of the OFA. Such a suspension would jeopardise the participation of Oman in the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers and in other international competitions, and would also mean that neither the OFA nor any of its members or officials could benefit from any development programme, course, or training from FIFA or AFC while the OFA is suspended.
</blockquote>
<br />
Ooops. Cue panic.<br />
<a href="http://www.ofa.om/news.php?no=160" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">OFA news release.</a><br />
<br />
So now<br />
Sayyid Al Busaidi, is refusing the court oder and appealing to the Ministry of Sport. He wants the minister to somehow reverse the court by force of personality I guess, and give them the red card.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Yesterday the Oman Football Association met with 35 local clubs to discuss the verdict issued by the Administrative Court following a case filed by three clubs in Oman, Seeb and Muscat to dissolve the OFA board. All of the 35 clubs that attended the meeting restated their support for the current OFA board and expressed the need to unite to resolve the current case filed with the Supreme Judicial Council. The board of members have rejected any resignation suggestions by the three clubs and will continue to run the OFA until the end of the current tenure – 24 August 2015.
Sayyid Khalid Bin Hamad Al Busaidi, OFA Chairman, said: “We have reached the decision to appeal to the Ministry of Sports Affairs to request the Administrative Court to pause the implementation of the verdict issued last week as a result of inaccurate data provided during the trial. We are confident that the OFA can work together with the support of the local clubs to help revise the court decision in order to retain
The OFA has also approved the formation of a dedicated committee of nine representatives from local clubs and the OFA to oversee the process with the Ministry of Sports Affairs. In the meantime, the OFA board will approach the three clubs that filed the court case last year and try to convince them to withdraw their complaints in the effort to preserve the OFA’s reputation and the future of Omani football.
</blockquote>
<br />
There have been issues with Oman's soccer administration before, with the election contested, and actual voting for a position with power. The leadership of the most popular sport in Oman gives access to funding, lots of overseas trips, and wasta. It'll be interesting to see how this is resolved.
Most likely by the 3 plaintiffs being strong armed into withdrawing the complaint, somehow even after judgement. Do any readers have some insight into the deeper currents behind this struggle?<div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-28025159824153111842012-06-25T18:47:00.002+04:002012-06-25T19:46:52.094+04:00Oman's first IPO of 2012 - Bank Nizwa, Islamic Bank - a tremendous success!Ex-Minister of the Ex-Ministry of National Economy, HE Macki was always opposed to so-called <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_banking' target='_blank'> Islamic Banking</a>. But after the post-protest <s> mass sacking </s> reorganization of the Cabinet, and the departure of Mr. Macki to the land of gnomes, it was back on the agenda. <br><br>
You see, with the opening up of the free trade region, Omani's were exporting deposits to Islamic Banks in other GCC countries at an increasing rate. That was the convincer. <br><br>
So with great enthusiasm a few big wheels decided to start Oman's first bank that will base their operations on Sharia principles. The IPO was a great success, almost 11x over subscribed and raising $160 million. <br><br>
In typical Omani style, the bluster and enthusiasm combined with a slopshod approach to corporate governance and management was not matched by performance.<br><br>
The initial shareholders meeting, required to establish the 'constitution' of the company so it can legally start operations, <a href='http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/06/24/oman-banknizwa-idINL5E8HO09320120624 ' target='_blank'> couldn't make a quorum of the required 75% of shares</a>. Oh dear.<br><br>
So the company set up with over a 150 million dollars in shareholders cash can't even organize a meeting. And not just any meeting. The most important meeting a public company ever has, its first General Meeting. This is now being seen as representing not just (by definition) a big Omani company with piss-poor management, but as casting doubt on the competence of the Muscat exchange to run a real public offering. The Dubai exchange must be pissing themselves laughing.<br><br>
Of course, all of this in no way whatsoever reflects badly on the reputation or honour of the <a href='http://www.banknizwa.om/about_founding_committee.php' target='_blank'> very important Omani people involved</a>. They have moved heaven and earth to bring this tremendously important and complex project to what has been, in reality, a great success. The backers of the company, the outstanding advisors, and the stock exchange itself are run by the best there is. They're just great. They not only did everything humanly possible, but did it with the highest of intentions, guided by the vision of His Majesty in this glorious time to be a banker in Oman. <br><br>
And the Government regulator was totally blameless. Nothing they could have done to avoid this. <br><br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgcM4b84ByAzqrnWHojxwr87QuuqT5EBLWtYel-J-2QL2zj6tiCwkaAoLGWlKSFUo6jcMS98Mzy9Y-tcDzIX6_BCzkBtn3cZ1gUe97GzIOyAJx07D6XJQ_XwOaPxwa4Gff9qW78ZZMxw/s1600/disorganised.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="268" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgcM4b84ByAzqrnWHojxwr87QuuqT5EBLWtYel-J-2QL2zj6tiCwkaAoLGWlKSFUo6jcMS98Mzy9Y-tcDzIX6_BCzkBtn3cZ1gUe97GzIOyAJx07D6XJQ_XwOaPxwa4Gff9qW78ZZMxw/s400/disorganised.jpg" /></a><br><br>
This delay and mix-up was not only completely understandable, and normal, and yanni to be expected,and inshallah the paperwork will be ready soon. <br><br>
There's certainly nothing for anybody to get offended or insulted about here. Just keep repeating what a tremendously successful thing Bank Nizwa is. I'm sure the crack reporters at The Observer and Times of Oman are on the case. <br><br>
The reputations of those responsible must not be tarnished by a mere failure to achieve results. This is in line with the deep cultural traditions of Omani society not to point out in public when someone - especially someone officially very important - cocks everything up. Whoever was responsible was certainly not Omani. They will be found and sent back to the sub-continent they came from.<br><br>
Fortunately, we have laws in this country. Laws to protect people's reputation from things like a public discussion of observable facts that relate to their performance.<br><br>
And whoever it was that pointed out the mistake and officially noted the lack of a legal quorum at that meeting deserves a promotion. <b>Now that was a person actually doing their job.</b> <br><br>
<br><br>
<b>Post-press:</b> <a href='http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.aspx?detail=7026' target='_blank'> Times of Oman </a> publishes Bank Nizwa response. <br><br>
<blockquote>.... However, <b>Ahmed Said Al Rawahi</b>, Chairman of Bank Nizwa Founding Committee, stated; "The bank's launch preparations are progressing as scheduled. Our staff is in place, the first three branches at Muscat, Nizwa and Sohar are currently being fitted out, the core banking system has already been deployed, and the product portfolio is under approval.<br><br>
"The general meeting could not be concluded on the appointed day of June 21 as Bank Nizwa has a large base of over 37,000 shareholders with many of them not being in the country owing to the current holiday season. This made it difficult to achieve the requisite attendance norm and we are rescheduling the meeting. We are confident that in the next meeting we will have the requisite quorum, he explained. As per the law, votes representing 75 per cent of the bank's capital are required to conduct the meeting. Bank Nizwas has 92 founding members, who have collectively invested RO90 million.<br><br>
<b>'We are on track'</b><br>
Saying that the rescheduling will not affect the bank's launch plans, Al Rawahi noted, "I am glad to inform that we are on track to be ready to open our doors to the public during the third quarter of 2012, subject to CBO approval.<br><br>
The date of the new meeting is being agreed with appropriate authorities and will be scheduled to take place sometime within the next six weeks, in keeping with Capital Market Authority regulations. <br><br>
Market sources said there is no clarity on when the regulation on Islamic banking will be issued and when Bank Nizwa to commence operation, which have affected the bank's share prices on the bourse. "There has been a lack of interest among institutional investors, while retailers continued their selling, said Kanaga Sundar, Senior Analyst at Gulf Baader Capital Markets. <br><br>
</blockquote>
<br><br>
Yes indeed, so as I said, everything is a great success and it's all going according to plan.
<br><br><div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-5741428595035826222012-06-22T00:11:00.000+04:002012-06-22T00:11:03.573+04:00Public Prosecution arrests bloggers. Oman named 'nicest police state in the world'.It's been a busy month in the Dragon's lair. While I was gone, it seems the Public Prosecution Dept decided to expose the reality of Oman's law on speech - it's illegal. The story from Human Rights Watch is <a href="http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/06/13/oman-assault-freedom-speech" target="_blank"> here </a> <br />
<br />
As local blogger <a href="http://susanalshahri.blogspot.com/2012/06/war-on-bloggers.html" target="_blank"> Susan Al Shahari </a> notes, the law is far from clear as to where the line is between fair comment and jail time. This is an issue discussed before on Muscat Confidential <a href="http://muscatconfidential.blogspot.com/2011/10/just-in-time-change-in-omans.html" target="_blank"> here </a> <br />
<br />
“Article 26: It is prohibited to publish anything which may prejudice the safety of the state or its internal or external security or all that relates to military and security apparatuses, their bylaws and internal regulations, any documents or information or news or official secret communications, either by publication through visual, audio or print media or through the Internet or any means of the information technology unless a permission is obtained from the competent authority.<br />
<br />
It is also prohibited to publish the wordings of the agreements and treaties concluded by the government before they are published in the official gazette."
<br />
<br />
Oman's citizens and residents have never had freedom of expression, as it has always been subject to broad, vague, ill-defined rules that make any critical statement about the government illegal. And not just illegal, but criminal. <br />
<br />
If the report is correct, the bloggers have actually been charged with incitement to protest. As noted in the HRW article, this is even more insidious, as apparently even the law for this charge is secret.
<br />
<blockquote>
On June 4 the public prosecutor formally charged all three with “inciting to protest,” and released al-Hana’i and al-Khorousi on bail. The public prosecution renewed al-Meqbali’s detention for an additional seven days while it researched further charges, though none have been announced.
An Omani lawyer who asked not to be identified said that the charge of “incitement to protest” is a state security crime not covered under the regular Penal Code. Authorities have not made public the code enumerating crimes falling under state security and punishments associated with them.
</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
Several of the 'activists' have started a facebook page 'Humanitarian initiative for human rights in Oman'. Check it out! <br />
<br />
The ROP and Public Prosecution are out of their depth, holding several arrested without charge or access to legal council for 4 days, according to the HRW report. The laws are so broad and draconian that denying them the few rights they actually do have [24hrs before you should be charged and given access to a lawyer, no beatings or torture] is really stupid.
<br />
The facebook page is reporting another arrest too, this time of a photographer. <br />
<br />
Folks, try to understand. Oman is governed as an autocracy. In fact, Oman is one of the few absolute monarchies left, the others being Saudi, Brunei, Qatar and Swaziland. HM is not bound by a constitution, he can issue any decree he wants.<br />
<br />
You've probably noticed that all laws are "Royal Decrees", as only the Sultan can make law. You get to 'vote' but political parties are banned. And the people you elect can only make requests of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. It is a criminal offense to criticise the Government. It is a criminal offense to encourage anyone to protest. It is a criminal offense to protest without permission. It is even a criminal offense to publish the name of someone who has been convicted of a crime in public court! <br />
<br />
You do not, and have never had, a right of free speech. You are only allowed to express yourself if what you have to say supports the Government, and doesn't offend anyone. That a statement is true is not a defense. That a statement is only of personal opinion is not a defense. <br />
<br />
Reread that new article 26 above. <br><br>
Is it any wonder The Economist <a href='http://www.economist.com/node/21557354' target='_blank'> just called</a> Oman "the nicest police state in the world"? <div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-43969174391302822862012-05-09T07:36:00.001+04:002012-05-09T07:36:52.936+04:003 Omanis wanted by InterpolIt's been amazing to see some of the stories making it into the newspapers lately. <br><br>
Times of Oman published an article asking for CCTVs in Oman's high schools to get drug dealers <a href='http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=4553' target='_blank'>‘CCTV in schools must to arrest drug peddlers’</a>, in a story by Oman's top Journalist Saleh Al-Shaibany. The article is unusual in that it admits there is a huge drug problem in Oman:<br><br>
<blockquote>... The problem of drug trafficking has become so serious in the Sultanate that it prompted the ROP to establish a new department last week. Records show that once youngsters get hooked up to drugs, if they don’t get help, they may even commit suicide. One of the most prevalent problems in the country is the absence of dedicated rehabilitation centres to take care of this menace widespread in the Omani society. <br><br>
A recent UNICEF annual report said, “The <b>use of drugs among adolescents, particularly girls, is of concern in Oman</b>. There is only one rehabilitation hospital for the entire country.” <br><br>
Hospital
Ibn Sina is the only hospital that offers rehabilitation for drug addicts but many feel that the centre mainly offers a short-term detoxification rather than an extensive treatment. For some reason, the government recently scrapped plans to build a specialized drug rehabilitation clinic at Al Khodh, close to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. <br><br>
“It is good to see that the ROP is setting a new department. This effort will help reduce smuggling and sale of the drugs but will not help people who have already become addicts. We need a proper rehabilitation centre on par with the international standards where an addict can get at least six-month treatment,” Khalid Al Massoudi, a father of 22-year-old drug abuser, told Times of Oman. <br><br>
Massoudi said that his son was given a free sample by some people who came to his school when he was just 15 and now he has become an addict. Initially, we didn’t know but when we started noticing expensive items missing from home, including money, and behavior of my son, we realised that something must be wrong with him. Late on we came to know that he needed cash to buy drugs for his daily consumption,” Massoudi said. </blockquote>
<br><br>
Excellent reporting Saleh. Although I'd have loved a few anon interviews with these addicts in school. If any of you high school girls are reading this, send me an email in between chasing the dragon on tin-foil. Unlike your male counterparts, you probably can read and write English. I can probably really improve your music selection too. <br><br><br><br>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BdP9kFmXve8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br><br><br><br>
It was also interesting to see <a href='http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?cat=1&detail=4240' target='_blank'>
this report</a> on Interpol issuing international arrest warrants for 3 Omani citizens. Despite the warrants being published, Times of Oman still can't bring itself to print their names or photos. <br><br>
<blockquote>According to the Interpol, 46-year-old A.S.S., 32-year-old H.A., and 28-year-old A.B.S.S.S. figure on list of Interpol’s ‘Most Wanted’ criminals from Oman. <br><br>
According to the premier investigative agency, A.S.S., an Omani national and a resident of Muscat, is wanted in several cases of counterfeiting, forgery and fraud cases in Oman. “His height is 1.68 metres and colour of hair and colour of eyes is black,” the agency said. </blockquote><br><br>
<br>It seems we can admit our high schools are plagued with drug dealers and teenage girls on Heroin, but god forbid we actually name a criminal. Bizarre.<br><br>
So here are those wanted criminals, in case you spot them in the queue at Lulu:<br><br>
Suspect No. 1<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJVhNvUSvrdTLCiYejSlrr2Y5srTipYyaWJn5wgucClftKIGXf9zAXF55AmSitSZvZi-brqPiWHKDj0qOkedsAf3kblRFWO6SLpVg2fSrm3py0CXIfeh8nyBuGGG5rshHW098t8Vl-FM/s1600/Interpol_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJVhNvUSvrdTLCiYejSlrr2Y5srTipYyaWJn5wgucClftKIGXf9zAXF55AmSitSZvZi-brqPiWHKDj0qOkedsAf3kblRFWO6SLpVg2fSrm3py0CXIfeh8nyBuGGG5rshHW098t8Vl-FM/s400/Interpol_1.jpg" /></a></div> <i>Photo: Interpol wanted list. Said Khamis Ayil Al Salti</i> <br><br>
<b>Said Khamis Al Salti</b>, DOB 01/11/1965. Wanted for counterfeiting, forgery, & fraud. AKA A.S.S.<br><br>
<br>
Suspect No. 2<br> <br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZd0rZPflK9VBkQc7rN5hqFx3PdWNhpQsZKVCbrTo0jPzgLd6iq9wyGQkDKsmi9BzUnVBTVkcK3Wnn-2YhGBFgubjKgUXWtuca1nc_VDP0zzXTHTIICBinmzkKA5QUlSwBx-L8ovbKVe4/s1600/Interpol_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZd0rZPflK9VBkQc7rN5hqFx3PdWNhpQsZKVCbrTo0jPzgLd6iq9wyGQkDKsmi9BzUnVBTVkcK3Wnn-2YhGBFgubjKgUXWtuca1nc_VDP0zzXTHTIICBinmzkKA5QUlSwBx-L8ovbKVe4/s400/Interpol_2.jpg" /></a></div> <i>Photo: Interpol wanted list. Saif Sahlouf Said Al Badi</i> <br><br>
<b>Saif Sahlouf Said Al Badi</b>, DOB 11/10/1983. Wanted for fraud. AKA A.B.S.S.S. <br><br><br>
Suspect No. 3<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro2QdxH8VXlfBnOdVTdKLw9qMS5dpVBKi7Xl5ylvwffnb3N3I4rv_HEVy0_Lh4mXViPidPh9-mCV1svzzSO9t6u1uTmSmEwBUnzFywSgnjl0BHh09TApa9zZX_rvGIbJCZdiuISEl6os/s1600/Interpol_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="269" width="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro2QdxH8VXlfBnOdVTdKLw9qMS5dpVBKi7Xl5ylvwffnb3N3I4rv_HEVy0_Lh4mXViPidPh9-mCV1svzzSO9t6u1uTmSmEwBUnzFywSgnjl0BHh09TApa9zZX_rvGIbJCZdiuISEl6os/s400/Interpol_3.jpg" /></a></div> <i>Photo: Interpol wanted list. <a href='http://www.interpol.int/Wanted-Persons/(wanted_id)/2009-37882' target='_blank'> Ali Hooti</a></i> <br><br>
<b>Ali Hooti</b>, DOB 06/10/79. Wanted for Crimes against humanity, Organized crime/transnational crime, Terrorism, Crimes involving the use of weapons/explosives. AKA H.A.<br><br><br>
This is the guy wanted for the bombing in India, and apparently is Omani born, despite reports.<br><br><br>
And finally.<br><br>
Speaking of photos no-one wants to print, look how happy HM looks, arriving in Croatia.
<br><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZmXeA1km2-O9rR1cU0B-E7MQRKJ7-_DbVw1njd8ZjtKTlpdTjweb5trgSXwGLRAbmeyMEd4BRhxh42IeRY4NaUKSdPOP_a1UJptlpizIAzvop3XhV5Eu_jnNWghpcvQiQ_7ukrq0f9Q/s1600/HM+Croatia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZmXeA1km2-O9rR1cU0B-E7MQRKJ7-_DbVw1njd8ZjtKTlpdTjweb5trgSXwGLRAbmeyMEd4BRhxh42IeRY4NaUKSdPOP_a1UJptlpizIAzvop3XhV5Eu_jnNWghpcvQiQ_7ukrq0f9Q/s400/HM+Croatia.jpg" /></a></div>
<i>Photo: HM Sultan Qaboos arrives in Croatia at the start of a well deserved vacation. Doesn't he look totally GQ?</i><div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-86660924281473433602012-04-24T08:50:00.002+04:002012-04-24T09:01:42.916+04:00HM arrives in Croatia for well earned vacation, locals star-struckJust a quick one:
HM Sultan Qaboos has arrived in one piece in Croatia, and is safe and sound on his magnificent yacht Al Said.
Happy holidays your Majesty.
Here's the story breathlessly reported by <a href='http://www.croatiantimes.com/news/General_News/2012-04-23/26607/Royalty_arrives_in_Dubrovnik' target='_blank'>The Croatian Times</a>.
<blockquote>Royalty arrives in Dubrovnik
Croatian Times
<br>
The Sultan of Oman, said to be worth more than the Queen, arrived in the Dalmatian tourist city of Dubrovnik yesterday (Sun), reported Croatian daily newspaper Jutarnji list.
After landing at Cilipi airport in his private plane, Qaboos bin Said Al Said, 71, was transported by helicopter to his awaiting 156 metre super luxury yacht "Al Said", which has been anchored in the Dubrovnik port of Gruz for the last 3 weeks, together with its accompanying boat for logistics "Fulk Al Salamah".<br><br>
The Sultan was met on his arrival in Dubrovnik by Mayor Andro Vlahusic, who wished the Sultan a pleasant stay before he boarded his super yacht, which is currently one of the top five biggest yachts in the world.<br>
It is unknown when the Sultan will depart, however, his two yachts are due to leave Dubrovnik on 5 May. There has been talk that the Sultan of Oman is in Croatia to look at possible investment possibilities. </blockquote>
Croatia is struggling a bit financially. You can see why they'd love some business from the State Investment Fund. I'm sure His Majesty will be well looked after. <br><br>
I wonder where his flotilla will set sail for next?<div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-66920455472745071262012-04-21T07:40:00.000+04:002012-04-20T23:03:31.892+04:00Omani terrorist arrests in UK. Plus, Government Gas contracts: When you've gott'em by the balls... Twist.<a href='http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/21/world/europe/terrorism-suspicions-lead-to-3-arrests-at-heathrow.html?_r=1' target='_blank'>Breaking News</a>: 3 terrorists were nabbed in the UK coming from Oman.<br /><br /><blockquote>3 Arrested at Heathrow on Suspicions of Terrorism<br />By RAVI SOMAIYA<br />Published: April 20, 2012 <br />LONDON — Three men have been arrested at Heathrow Airport and held on suspicion of “possessing articles and documents with intent to use them for terrorist purposes overseas,” the police said on Friday. <br /><br />The suspects, residents of Britain’s second-largest city, Birmingham, were arrested Thursday night as they arrived from Oman. The police did not release their names. <br /><br />The three, aged 33 to 39, were detained by officers from the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit as part of a “preplanned and intelligence-led” operation, the police said, that was not mounted “in response to any immediate threat to public safety.” <br /><br />They were held under Section 57 of the British Terrorism Act. That law makes it a criminal offense to possess materials that create a “reasonable suspicion” that they are “for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.” <br /><br />A police spokeswoman said British officers had traveled to Oman to meet with the authorities there before making the arrests, but she declined to provide further details about the operation or to describe the articles and documents the men possessed. <br /><br />Oman, a small Arab nation that borders Yemen and Saudi Arabia, has not previously figured significantly in Britain’s long struggle against homegrown groups of Islamic extremists who have roots overseas. Earlier this week the British government rearrested Abu Qatada, a Jordanian-Palestinian militant preacher accused of being one of Al Qaeda’s leaders in Europe, and said it would resume efforts to deport him. </blockquote><br /><br /><br /><br />A couple of other interesting news items over the past few days.<br /><br /><strong>Potential for Shale Gas in Oman?</strong>The Ministry of Oil and Gas was touting Oman's potential for the new 'unconventional' shale gas (& oil) plays that are all the rage in the global oil market [a big 'thank you' to the good ol' USA for figuring that out for us, BTW]. <br /><br />It follows the recent expro on Oil and Gas held in Oman last week. Read all about it in the <a href='http://main.omanobserver.om/node/91190' target='_blank'>Oman Observer</a> in a press release by His Excellency, Nasser bin Khamis al Jashmi, Under-Secretary, Ministry of Oil & Gas. The Government is desperate for gas, having over built LNG capacity and given away large amounts in gas contracts to stimulate associated industry in Sohar and Salalah. Oxy got the Mukhaisna oil field project mainly because it could bring gas for steam from Qatar, via its Dolphin project.<br /><br />The Observer also had this cracker of a headline:<br /><br /><a href='http://main.omanobserver.om/node/91585' target='_blank'><strong>Oil and gas expo showcases OER tech</strong></a>[sic]<br /><br />It seems the ace young <s> Hacks </s> reporters at the Government's news agency can't even spell the 3-letter acronym "EOR" correctly [that's <strong>E</strong>nhanced <strong>O</strong>il <strong>R</strong>ecovery chaps, EOR]. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvNZMNEplVQjR_7tbc5a8Ft8Nkv03ePwJysA-XPpebtrLElowtM3plGZzn9CkiFIzSYsCvpaK9UOCt93C5iflXndpKX0izbxqtoDkVBjYwrXtSrQk9s6zIXDmCw5alHBoEADy2PTrPEE/s1600/1334593565029193600.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvNZMNEplVQjR_7tbc5a8Ft8Nkv03ePwJysA-XPpebtrLElowtM3plGZzn9CkiFIzSYsCvpaK9UOCt93C5iflXndpKX0izbxqtoDkVBjYwrXtSrQk9s6zIXDmCw5alHBoEADy2PTrPEE/s400/1334593565029193600.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733319071609318370" /></a><em>Shale Gas. Not cheap, but there could be an awful lot of it in Oman. At a price.</em><br /><br />PDO was quoted as having a $20bln spend over the next 5 years, all of which will need to be paid from production sales. Not included in that cost is the vast amount of natural gas PDO consumes to get that oil. Steam EOR requires gas fired boilers, even if some are from secondary heat recovery units on power stations. On top of the steam, PDO consumes about 700 mega-watts of power, all of it generated by gas.<br /><br />EOR and fraccing all this unconventional gas and oil is very expensive. Hell, they can't get that to pay in the USA at $3/MMBTU, and that's a country that can drill and frac holes fast and cheap. <br /><br />The price of oil may well be high enough for PDO's steam and stuff to more than repay, but a market price for gas in Oman (or the region) doesn't exist! <br /><br />British Gas walked on Oman's Abu Butabul gas find because the gas price was too low. BP are struggling along with the Khazzan gas field, which may pay at $2.50 in places. But in all this the price of gas is a huge issue. <br /><br />If only the MONE Ministry of National Economy [now defunct] hadn't gaven away loads of gas Oman's gas to Industrialists at dirt cheap rates! $0.77 per MMBTU to the Indians (and yourselves with a carried 50%) for fertiliser; same $0.80 deal for the Wizard of Oz to make Methanol. Even more generous - non-inflating fixed price contracts too! [see the laments of MC passem]<br /><br />Thus Oman, with no extra conventional gas and rising internal demand to meet power and water requirements, has 20% shut-in capacity in it's 3 LNG export trains as a result. And Japan is gagging for LNG right now. Oman needs more gas* to liquify and send to the Japanese. But looking for the stuff is expensive. And gas supplies are tight. You can't shut the lights off in Muscat. What to do?<br /><br />The Minister and his undersecretary suggest Foreign Oil companies come in to Oman and invest risk capital to explore for these shale gas and oil deposits, outside the patch of the dominant player (& majority Omani Government owned) PDO and their infamous and productive 'Block 6' concession (The gas is owned 100% by the Government, by the way). After all, there may be opportunities for these companies to strike it rich if the gas price is high enough, and Oman keeps its promises on tax and other fiscal terms. And Oman would get the gas it craves.<br /><br />Sounds good! Where do I sign?<br /><br /><em>* Technical Factoid. Selling Natural Gas is different to oil. Most gas is effectively sold 'in the ground' over a long time period. If Oman could be sure of getting more gas from somewhere else in the future, they could 'swap' this new gas for already developed and sold existing gas. Thus the new gas could be immediately sold using existing capacity for the LNG projects and from PDO, plus that would increase oil [condensate] production as an added bonus!</em><br /><br /><strong>In Other News</strong><br />It was reported yeaterday that The Ministry of Oil and Gas has decided to <strong>break its gas supply contract with their Indian partners in the Oman Fertiliser Plant</strong>, Oman India Fertiliser Company (OMIFCO), a joint venture firm between Oman's state-owned Oman Oil Co (OCC) and Indian co-operative firms KRIBHCO and IFFCO. This is a business originally designed as a way to convert cheap, really cheap, gas into Urea for export to India, and to stimulate nearby business and infrastructure. [for reference, $0.80 per MMBTU is about $5/bbl oil equiv.]<br /><br />The Urea plant & port has already been built and is working, but any extra gas supplies implied as an option in the Gas Supply contract were quickly cancelled after comissioning. <br /><br />Since then, Oman has now threatened to turn off the taps altogether unless the Indains agree to pay a lot more for the gas - from $0.77 (constant, no inflation) to $3.00 with inflation added every year. Not withstanding the contract signed by the Government to supply long term gas. Surprise!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHwCgIAFddtSLRsiPjCVSyAtQuvFD1JbZcZiXGNmBBZBhC8I2IYBd0jtD8W9c_bIWpg9dnBPr-9ACzR7nEbqPMUcs0od3KNddG05n3SvGChwKTZI16BLVJKLR95aH0HQHz71SU5KqBHk/s1600/reservoir-dogs-poster-300x168.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHwCgIAFddtSLRsiPjCVSyAtQuvFD1JbZcZiXGNmBBZBhC8I2IYBd0jtD8W9c_bIWpg9dnBPr-9ACzR7nEbqPMUcs0od3KNddG05n3SvGChwKTZI16BLVJKLR95aH0HQHz71SU5KqBHk/s400/reservoir-dogs-poster-300x168.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733318455374298418" /></a><em>Photo: The Minister of Oil and Gas renegotiates a Sovereign Omani Non-renegotiable long-term Gas Supply contract. Go ahead, make his day.</em><br /><br /><br />As reported in the <a href='http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Oman-cuts-gas-price-to--1-5-per-mmBtu--but-with-riders/937920/' target='_blank'>The Indian Express</a><br /><br /><blockquote><br /><strong>Oman cuts gas price to $1.5 per mmBtu, but with riders</strong><br />New Delhi, Tue Apr 17 2012, 16:33 hrs<br /><br />Oman has halved the price at which it will sell natural gas to an Indian fertiliser plant in the Gulf nation to USD 1.5 per mmBtu but has added an annual escalation clause. <br /><br />Oman, which had previously proposed to raise rates of gas sold to OMIFCO's urea manufacturing facility at Sur to USD 3 per million British thermal unit instead of present price of USD 0.77 per mmBtu, has revised its offer to charge USD 1.5 per mmBtu, sources in know of the development said. <br /><br />The Gulf nation has also set a rider that gas price would be hiked by USD 0.5 every year till it reaches USD 3 per mmBtu. <br /><br />Oman India Fertiliser Company (OMIFCO), a joint venture firm between Oman's state-owned Oman Oil Co (OCC) and Indian co-operative firms KRIBHCO and IFFCO, produces about 2 million tonnes of urea a year at Sur for exports to India <br /><br />Oman had contracted to selling gas to the plant at USD 0.77 per million British thermal unit for 15 years beginning 2005 but mid-way decided to hike rates to USD 3 per mmBtu from January 1, 2012 citing firming up of prices in global market. <br /><br />"Oman has agreed to cut the price to USD 1.5 per mmBtu from January 1, 2012 and under the new mechanism the rate would be USD 1.5 per mmBtu from January 1, 2012, and then the price would be increased by USD 0.5 per year till it reaches USD 3 per mmBtu," sources said. <br /><br />Fertiliser Ministry has also proposed to the Cabinet to accept the price increase by Oman as it is much lower than the global rates of natural gas. <br /><br />"We have sent a proposal to the Cabinet that the hike in gas price be accepted," a senior Fertiliser Ministry official had said. <br /><br />The Ministry argues that even at USD 3 per mmBtu, the gas supplied by Oman is cheaper than alternative fuel sources. Long term gas supplies in the international market are no less than USD 18 per mmBtu. <br /><br />The official said Cabinet, which may consider the proposal as early as this week, would decide if India should drag Oman to arbitration for breach of signed gas supply contract. <br /><br />The ministry believes that Oman may snap gas supplies to the plant once arbitration is initiated the OMIFCO would have to buy fuel from international market during pendency of the suit. IFFCO and KRIBHCO holds a stake of 25 per cent each in OMIFCO, while the rest is with Oman Oil Company. <br /><br /><strong>"We are against the proposal of taking the matter to the International Arbitration Tribunal in London, as this could lead to disruption of supply from Oman," the official said. </strong><br /><br />OMIFCO ships around two million tonnes of urea, which is its entire production, to India under an agreement the country has with the Oman government.</blockquote><br /><br /><br />The Indians initially choked, so the Omanis gave them a special discount for a couple of years, while still immediately doubling the price. <br /><br />Ouch!<br /><br />I wonder why the Indians didn't get the contract entered as a Royal Decree, which would make it more difficult to renege upon. <br /><br />It's also a bit sad the way the Indian press headlines the article as a victory for India (Gas Price halves!). They are getting screwed.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PXGDBZqzpLWoU_KnXiaZMmSoKczpvxLKeJ9dOWKi_kYVGzY_ZnGqt8SPzB5LhqZTfzSUC5f1m0EDV_6UUzHwLZgrLSZjVDaJoJ_LHPUR7mZxfIWfs5hEERskxaCqVFPM-FFhmEtUwMo/s1600/untitled.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PXGDBZqzpLWoU_KnXiaZMmSoKczpvxLKeJ9dOWKi_kYVGzY_ZnGqt8SPzB5LhqZTfzSUC5f1m0EDV_6UUzHwLZgrLSZjVDaJoJ_LHPUR7mZxfIWfs5hEERskxaCqVFPM-FFhmEtUwMo/s400/untitled.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733557503715212898" /></a> <em>Meh. Yanni. Whallah. What to do? We have no gas! Sorry. </em><br /><br /><br />If I were some of the other big industrial gas users: Vail [steel plant - needs lotsa gas], or The Wizard of Oz [2 Methanol plants - needs lotsa clean gas], or Alcoa [Aluminium plant - lotsa gas!], I'd be pretty damn nervous right now. Maybe time to do some lobbying and hire some lawyers.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Is this the start of a resource nationalism trend by stealth? Is the Government's policy to negotiate long term contracts in bad faith?</strong> <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir47gj-QLvHKtNI_oCnmBQEmD9OGjLb1NN-6JiqcuHyDbnYNjnvKg_OfW_iLgV4T2uIZZRtWJcZNg8NcStR-xIc0ASF6nSVLj-QWLh2ei4HffPkTIv-Xkdgvax0RoLZNXVzUsS7Slq9hg/s1600/untitled.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir47gj-QLvHKtNI_oCnmBQEmD9OGjLb1NN-6JiqcuHyDbnYNjnvKg_OfW_iLgV4T2uIZZRtWJcZNg8NcStR-xIc0ASF6nSVLj-QWLh2ei4HffPkTIv-Xkdgvax0RoLZNXVzUsS7Slq9hg/s400/untitled.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733558421835979058" /></a><br /><br /><br />It does not encourage Foreign investors to bring the capital and expertise into Oman, when the agreed and signed legal, fiscal and contractual terms are held at the whim of the Government. <br /><br />The business environment is bad enough. Oman's courts are already a minefield for outsiders. Employment law is a micro-managing mess biased toward the Oligarchs. Education is poor. And wasta is a huge tax on SMEs. Infrastructure isn't everything. <br /><br />Is this what happen's when HM goes on vacation?<div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-5419812741313710292012-04-14T21:43:00.006+04:002012-04-14T23:42:25.255+04:00HM Looks to Europe for some travelling, and Oman Cavalry set to dazzle at Queen Liz's big bashIt was nice to hear from one of my sources that HM will be visiting Europe - the Royal yacht Al Said is currently awaiting instruction in the beautiful port of Dubrovnic, stocked 24/7 with fresh chocolates and flowers no doubt. <a href='http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/shipdetails.aspx?imo=9463774' target='_blank'>Al SAID</a>, at 155m long, is so big it travels with a dedicated support vessel FULK AL SALAMAH, just 137m long.<br /><br />The arrival of the 3rd largest private yacht in the world was enjoyed by the enthusiastic 'Boat Spotters'. Here's a nice video, in case you haven't seen Al Said.<br /><br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yloauKLf1PE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />(See <a href='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yloauKLf1PE' target='_blank'>youtube</a>)<br /><br />It's nice to see HM give the boats some use. He last visited Croatia in 2003 and brough along a whole retenue. He was expected to arrive by plane a couple of weeks ago, as reported on 30th March when the boat arrived in port.<br /><br /><blockquote>Not only is the cruise season and tourist season well and truly open in Dubrovnik but it also seems today that the luxury yacht season is opening. This morning in Gruž harbour the private yacht of one of the richest men in the world arrived. “Al Said” is the third largest yacht in the world and owned by the Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said al Said. The 71 year-old sultan owns five yachts in total and Al Said is the largest measuring 155 metres and holding a crew of 140 and up to 65 guests. It is believed that the sultan will arrive tomorrow by private jet but the purpose of his visit is still unknown.</blockquote><br /><br /><br />And what is cooler than to visit Europe with your own floating 7 star hotel. He deserves a good bit of R&R too. Having seen off the challenges of the Arab Spring and the Sohar & Salalah protests, new Majlis underway, new set of Government Ministers, and with Iran in talks, it's a great time for a vacation. <br /><br />Also, I wonder if HM sees parallels between Croatia and Oman? The scenery is very 'Omani' around Dubrovnik. And there are similar issues of tribalism, tourism, competitiveness, unemployment, currency, & powerful neighbours. How to get Omani's more involved working in the services sector would be some good research. Croatia would love to get some of that State Investment Fund, so there will probably be deals afoot.<br /><br />Of course one big reason for the trip to Europe will be for His Majesty to attend Queen Elizabeth's massive Diamond Jubilee celebration party. <br /><br />It's at Windsor Castle from 10th - 13th May, in case you didn't get your invite yet. Everybody who's anybody will be there, Daaaarling!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9gjrhLLPoTWebtMCAxcaNUKH9K7qQetyS44o9qGtfHBsGocB8XNgvPMY1rp6T7RNYOSvm02V-7HeWJUX7ZZX-Hr4AC-I7tVJcWvlhzOUJYLorjstB7JB_n16rBJqDSW4O0qX1AA0Neo/s1600/DiamondJ_pic.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9gjrhLLPoTWebtMCAxcaNUKH9K7qQetyS44o9qGtfHBsGocB8XNgvPMY1rp6T7RNYOSvm02V-7HeWJUX7ZZX-Hr4AC-I7tVJcWvlhzOUJYLorjstB7JB_n16rBJqDSW4O0qX1AA0Neo/s400/DiamondJ_pic.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731316605889907058" /></a><em>"The World Comes To Windsor" will celebrate 60 years of the Queen's rule.</em> <br /><br /><br />Oman will be helping the celebrations with it's own contribution to the pagent: <a href='http://www.diamond-jubilee-pageant.com/me.html' target='_blank'>A Passion for Tradition</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote><strong>A Passion for Tradition by The Royal Cavalry of Oman.</strong>The Royal Cavalry and The Mounted Band will be performing along with The Royal Guard of Oman with 100 pure bred Arabian Horses, two drum horses and a Hanoverian ridden by the Conductor. </blockquote><br /><br />Awesome. Oman gets to represent the Middle East. Take that Dubai. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtFhotAyXBSan6CoFQnJ3SqvFIUngxOLIlzX_OBulJj7ZN8vgpU0xs8tWm4yiZEGsAY0e4nZNymqaOIq8_kcclQiurkcLzJP9MV4Dd83Qb34cKAEZIOHKQKv8V6WCWnrkX3KSdJTP-6g/s1600/DiamondJ_pic1_Oman.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 361px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtFhotAyXBSan6CoFQnJ3SqvFIUngxOLIlzX_OBulJj7ZN8vgpU0xs8tWm4yiZEGsAY0e4nZNymqaOIq8_kcclQiurkcLzJP9MV4Dd83Qb34cKAEZIOHKQKv8V6WCWnrkX3KSdJTP-6g/s400/DiamondJ_pic1_Oman.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731313940814734002" /></a><em>Photo: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos will be contributing a special Oman Cavalry & hoursemanship turn for Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee extravaganza next month.</em><br /><br /><br /><strong>Meanwhile</strong>It will be interesting to see the fate of the unnamed unlicensed driver who <a href='http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/oman/speeding-oman-driver-kills-two-women-injures-one-1.1008331' target='_blank'>killed 2 women in Marbella</a>. Anyone have the details?<br /><br /><blockquote>Muscat: A young man, driving without a licence, killed two people as death toll from road accidents last week reached 14. <br /><br />The speeding driver ran over three women after losing control of control his vehicle in the residential neighbourhood of Mabella in Seeb district on Wednesday. <br /><br />Two women died on the spot while the third is battling for her life at a hospital in Muscat. The driver escaped with minor injuries, Royal Oman Police (ROP) said on Saturday <br /><br />"Five people were killed in Muscat last in road accidents as the countrywide count rose to 14," a spokesperson for the ROP's Public Relations Department said.</blockquote> <br /><br /><br />And yes, I know some of you are still waiting for Part 3. It's coming along. I'm a very busy Dragon right now!<div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-54398057452312733262012-03-06T19:43:00.010+04:002012-03-07T07:44:05.805+04:00Oman Government powerless to stop continuing carnage on roads. And who's the lucky winner of tickets to Snow Patrol?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubg4HlzmEKg626M_7Z7JyjEAFATYW7Y_muLBIz_T3hVz_JwNIjj-wu0dajy305BPYh588XQGyOWuMlYahIWm2G8TrhjKjUmWaCuimiQxD1SEAJWe8vzYqJCx4nUp36jf6NZwdqAwwjwM/s1600/Observer_Feb2012_crash.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubg4HlzmEKg626M_7Z7JyjEAFATYW7Y_muLBIz_T3hVz_JwNIjj-wu0dajy305BPYh588XQGyOWuMlYahIWm2G8TrhjKjUmWaCuimiQxD1SEAJWe8vzYqJCx4nUp36jf6NZwdqAwwjwM/s400/Observer_Feb2012_crash.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716810813101451890" /></a><em>Photo: Multiple deaths in Oman are a daily occurance. [Oman Observer]</em><br /><br />Amid the continual boosterism to Oman's tourism sector that abounds in the press of late, the recent tragic death of <a href=-http://main.omanobserver.om/node/85740' target='_blank'>7 people in a head-on crash</a> made even the <a href='http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2012/March/middleeast_March86.xml§ion=middleeast' target='_blank'>international news</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>Six Indians, Omani killed in road accident (Khaleej Times)<br />5 March 2012MUSCAT - Seven people — six Indians and an Omani — were killed in a horrific road accident in Bahla, near Nizwa in the interior Dhakhliya governorate, on Sunday.<br /><br />Another Omani sustained serious injuries in the head-on collision between two pick-up vans and was taken to hospital, police said. He was in intensive care in critical condition. One of the vehicles caught fire due to the impact of the crash.</blockquote><br /><br /><br />By my calculations if you drive on Oman's roads you have on average a roughly 0.1% chance of dying, every year. Of course, the actual odds for a young Omani male must be much, much higher I'd guess.<br /><br />About 1 in a thousand people in Oman are killed per year (note, you have to correct official figures for children and deaths reported post the scene). How's that for an Oman cultural experience, tourists? Maybe we could sell guided tours from the cruise liners to go see a few genuine Omani funerals?<br /><br />But never fear, The <a href='http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2012/March/middleeast_March77.xml§ion=middleeast' target='_blank'>Council of Ministers</a> are aware of the problem folks.<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><strong>Oman urges people to abide by traffic rules (Khaleej Times)</strong><br />5 March 2012 MUSCAT - The unabated rise in traffic deaths and injuries has prompted Oman’s cabinet to appeal for cooperation among all sections of the society to address the grave issue.<br /><br />Expressing its “deep sorrow” over mounting road accidents, the Council of Ministers, at a meeting here, called upon “everyone to abide by traffic rules and regulations to save the lives of citizens, expatriates and visitors.”<br /><br />It underlined the importance of participation by the public and private sectors in an annual competition the country organises to spread awareness about traffic safety and to “enhance the culture of safe use of roads and means of transportation.” <br />...<br /></blockquote><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hVmZNCEOHWhzChbUyNxrW8x3L1SavhDrRQ6DJWzBCRalF0mnGsHg385VLHMQb3NB62XI2LhyphenhyphenE8meO3VGFmG5rpEOypPjBgB8OpASxGNUFXtBKZME7pTKu88o5xWFjzKdxQXHGskx7D8/s1600/canute.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hVmZNCEOHWhzChbUyNxrW8x3L1SavhDrRQ6DJWzBCRalF0mnGsHg385VLHMQb3NB62XI2LhyphenhyphenE8meO3VGFmG5rpEOypPjBgB8OpASxGNUFXtBKZME7pTKu88o5xWFjzKdxQXHGskx7D8/s400/canute.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716818514052066098" /></a><br /><br /><br />Ahh yes, the ever popular <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnut_the_Great' target='_blank'>'King Canute'</a> method of fixing a problem*. <br /><br />In this case they are using the mild version of Canute - just tell people to "obey the rules and drive carefully please". The 'Advanced Canute' - seen elsewhere in Omani government - would make it illegal to die on the roads, along with signs along roads warning people that if they die it's their own fault. <br /><br />Hey, a conference to discuss the problem would be awesome. Maybe an International conference. And an investigation and a report from the relevant departments, naturally. And some posters, and events to educate the public. <br /><br />None of this will work.<br /><br />The nice thing about this problem is that it's very hard to not count dead bodies. In the short-term, if you have the money, the King Canute method works against unemployment, for instance. But as more people die on the roads the bodies can't be swept under the carpet**. Oman is going to either have to get serious about it, or admit the failings of current policy. Unless high road deaths are the secret official policy - afterall, it helps lower the unemployment rate, increases GDP per person, and is good for increasing the car sales of Bahwan et al.<br /><br />If only the outcome of other aspects of Government policy were so transparent. <br /><br /><br /><br />Meanwhile, <br /><strong>HM re-re-shuffles cabinet of Ministers</strong><br /><blockquote>Royal Decree No 11/ 2012 appoints Ali bin Masoud bin Ali al Sunaidy as Minister of Commerce and Industry; Shaikh Saad bin Mohammed bin Said al Mardhouf al Saadi as Minister of Sports Affairs; Shaikh Abdulmalik bin Abdullah bin Ali al Khalili as Minister of Justice; Sayyid Mohammed bin Sultan bin Hamoud al Busaidy as Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar; Ahmed bin Nasser bin Hamad al Mehrzi as Minister of Tourism; and Dr Abdulmunim bin Mansour bin Said al Hasani as Minister of Information.</blockquote><br /><br />Interesting. We only just had a new Minister of Tourism appointed. Soon I'll publish an investigative report on the goings on at the Ministry of Tourism and it's development arm, OMRAN. I wonder if the replacement is related?<br /><br />More interesting was the formation of a new super "Supreme Judicial Council", reporting to HM directly and with all decisions needing HM approval, to administer the courts seperately from the Ministry of Justice. This helps to increase the independence of the bench, and finally separates the Government department responsible for prosecution from that of administering justice. That's great news. <br /><br /><br /><strong>Contest for Snow Patrol tickets - Winner!!</strong><br />Our competition for the free 'pit pass' tickets to see Snow Patrol was won by "Al", who will be at the front seeing the awesome band's first Middle East gig. Thanks to HiFM and Alive Oman. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4OaOyJyIwmfUdIDEpgzi_ztzPjBuqRdsDSEbhqiZYV4NQUqFyqbyGy25gh05eZaRK9CWUtxHocVP50GAgR5lqOOURqSolfn4kIxzh1CP5v1v6ajQ4EzrsxuIp60CszLwRyv103NtfHM/s1600/Alive_Entertainment_-_Snow_Patrol.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4OaOyJyIwmfUdIDEpgzi_ztzPjBuqRdsDSEbhqiZYV4NQUqFyqbyGy25gh05eZaRK9CWUtxHocVP50GAgR5lqOOURqSolfn4kIxzh1CP5v1v6ajQ4EzrsxuIp60CszLwRyv103NtfHM/s400/Alive_Entertainment_-_Snow_Patrol.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716816745371047778" /></a><br /><br /><br />Al dodged the security, and Mission Impossible-style sent me some great pics of the scene at <strong>Blue City</strong> in Al Sawadi. This will get me on to finishing part 3 of the saga, as long anticipated! <em>(But if you still have any pics, or are driving past Al Sawadi resort, send them to me! Just give date and if you want photo credit or not.)</em><br /><br />There are still a few tickets I think for the show on Sunday the 11th March at the InterCon gardens. But you'd better be quick. You can get them from the Bose store in Qurum, Al Ghazal Pub at the InterCon, or the MQ box office for Alive Oman. They cost RO 25 or RO 50 for the Fan Pit.<br /><br /><br /><em>* This common metaphor is a bit unfair to ol' Canute. He was trying to show his fawning staff that he was not almighty, so he instructed the tide back, and thus demonstrated he was powerless.<br /><br />** As blogged about ad nauseum, the ROP do their best to make the number as small as they can already, by only reporting those killed at the scene, and not counting later deaths in hospital nor counting children.</em><div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-42450109210153258712012-02-28T21:24:00.007+04:002012-02-28T22:18:33.720+04:00We don't need no edukation! Riots & multiple Arson attempts in Omani high schoolsOman's students are revolting. Oh yes, protests have broken out at schools across the Batna coast. Some schools were closed by the ROP, and there were multiple arson attacks - one successful. As the newspaper Times of Oman, Anees Al Zedjali's much admired throbbing organ of the Omani 4th Estate, <a href='http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=542' target='_blank'>put it here</a>, the crimes were committed by "miscreants" <em>[I love the olde worlde English the expat staff at ToO use, especially when the thesaurus comes out!]</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw8rgXhyphenhyphenRXRbJMJhAGj1v3xzeHuhJ3Nz6Ae0hrly4TcR96uJwIPYwAJ7NsBCXEbA9lu1aM31DdFlVquZp2F1I11lK1s8vxyvHpOHzvdHBHTxRYuUP5xnd6-qmfPw5JaAphDbn0RRrvS4/s1600/school_oman_2012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw8rgXhyphenhyphenRXRbJMJhAGj1v3xzeHuhJ3Nz6Ae0hrly4TcR96uJwIPYwAJ7NsBCXEbA9lu1aM31DdFlVquZp2F1I11lK1s8vxyvHpOHzvdHBHTxRYuUP5xnd6-qmfPw5JaAphDbn0RRrvS4/s400/school_oman_2012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714243814276755442" /></a><em>Photo: Widespread school protests in Oman are leading to acts of Arson. </em><br /><br /><br /><br /><blockquote><strong>Arson in Al Khoud school</strong> <br />Seeb: Unidentified miscreants yesterday morning set ablaze some classrooms in an Al Khoud school, located in the wilayat of Seeb. <br /><br />Sources said that the culprits set the classroom afire with the help of tyres. <br /><br />This incident follows a wave of protests that has lashed some schools in some regions of Oman following the high failure rates in the examinations and discontinuation of the previous promotion policy by the Ministry of Education. <br /><br />Investigations are on to nab the culprits, a spokesman from the Royal Oman Police said. </blockquote><br /><br /><br />And it's great to see it <a href='http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=482' target='_blank'>being reported</a>, again in ToO. The kids are upset that they actually have to pass exams, and are blaming the teachers. How the arson helps their cause, I don't know. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BDmTigRrHB1pUvJTm1HfkadDpTNtECLIP0hH4tYSyBeiGYIqLfYY8BzOW_3DPCuMAqhsUTe8Ss1nhdFKqyE6NN_MZhKzUE9iBtApE4dxgb4OWC4HvtQN-kQyLjbCo624y5drfO0OVPI/s1600/untitled.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 340px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BDmTigRrHB1pUvJTm1HfkadDpTNtECLIP0hH4tYSyBeiGYIqLfYY8BzOW_3DPCuMAqhsUTe8Ss1nhdFKqyE6NN_MZhKzUE9iBtApE4dxgb4OWC4HvtQN-kQyLjbCo624y5drfO0OVPI/s400/untitled.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714243500674451522" /></a><em>Omani Student's are demanding to pass their exams, 'or else'.</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><blockquote><strong>High failure rate leads to protests in schools</strong> <br /> <br />Muscat: Students of some schools in the Sultanate launched protests against the high rate of failure in the examinations for Grades 10 and 11, citing the abolition of the earlier promotion system for this. <br /><br />Some schools reportedly also witnessed acts of arson following the protests that occurred last week. <br /><br />Scores of students gathered at Moosa bin Nadeer School in Al Hail area and went on a protest in the morning protesting the high failure rate in the school compared to other Muscat schools. The students blamed “unqualified” teachers for their failure in the examinations.<br />...</blockquote> <br /><br /><br />The Majlis had a meeting about Education a couple of days ago. As with all Majlis reporting, there is zero information about their discussion, problems, goals, progress, actions, et al.<br /><br /><blockquote> <strong>Majlis panel meets to find solutions to education snags</strong> <br /> <br />Majlis panel meets to find solutions to education snags <br />Muscat: The Education and Culture Committee of the Majlis Al Shura yesterday held its meeting under the chair of Khalid bin Hilal Al-Nabhani, head of the Committee. <br /><br />During the meeting, members reviewed the suggestions sent to the committee by citizens and took appropriate decisions. <br /><br />They also discussed a number of educational issues and the problems facing government and private educational institutions and sought to find solutions to overcome these issues. </blockquote><br /><br /><br />Excellent. Good to see the problem is in safe hands, and that plans are in place! This does not bode well for Oman's education system. There are already huge issues with teachers allowing plagiarism and rampant cheating. The schools in general churn out poorly educated & unmotivated students. English is terrible. The cirriculum is based on repetition and rote.<br /><br />But at least they can line up at the 'job seekers' office later on and get $400 a month. Or 'supervise' an Indian worker.<br /><br />In the same edition, Editor in Chief Essa Al Zedjali raves about the 1 Omani who just got a patent in Spain for an energy invention (which is good news, I agree), and goes on to claim this indicates how Omani education is soaring, and heralds an intellectual renaissance in the Sultanate. [<em>Note, I'm advised all of the Opinion pieces are actually written by the (Indian) senior Editor, and then tweaked by Essa. LOL</em>]<br /><br /><br /><br /><blockquote>...<br />Sheikh Hilal is a product of this Blessed Renaissance — an empowered and unfettered mind and a child of liberalism ushered by the visionary ruler, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Einstein said: “All of science is nothing more than refinement of everyday thinking.” <br /><br />The uninterrupted run of peace and modernisation of the past 41 years of Omani Renaissance has indeed helped many brilliant Omani minds to refine their everyday thinking. Sheikh Hilal has proved the paradigm true. <br /><br />A brilliant mind, hard working and competent to his core, Sheikh Hilal has proved our yet another conviction. Given the right ambience, opportunity and encouragement, Omanis too are competent enough to prove their worth in every conceivable field of human activities, especially in science and technology. Sheikh Hilal is the brightest testimony of the fact that Renaissance has been a benign movement and the country is indeed moving along the right track of modernisation.<br />...<br /></blockquote><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_thtE2qqf4JAi6wtVEJymqWAxLEaYrDaDtldjQYHs10uzEjzY_PJAcQA9_lLOIMgdk1c8FNCISVfqBBWUKW9TzCMBX0h-H9jsiy5pdQfci_JVr73aeYfhX70r6-2D3EmruXtCexlZnw/s1600/school_oman_2_2012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_thtE2qqf4JAi6wtVEJymqWAxLEaYrDaDtldjQYHs10uzEjzY_PJAcQA9_lLOIMgdk1c8FNCISVfqBBWUKW9TzCMBX0h-H9jsiy5pdQfci_JVr73aeYfhX70r6-2D3EmruXtCexlZnw/s400/school_oman_2_2012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714252325636914642" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Looking at the photos of the protestors, I can see they all look like the sort of bright talented hard working young minds that will be generating patents, creating world dominating businesses and being nominated for Nobel prizes.<br /><br /><br />Hey, at least we're better than Yemen.<div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-90869982884128450262012-02-22T21:40:00.006+04:002012-02-23T08:16:11.875+04:00Free Concert Tickets & blogger Muawiya Al Rawahi 'released'Thanks to our friends at <strong>HiFM</strong>, I have 2 free tickets for some lucky reader of Muscat Confidential to see the incredible <strong>Snow Patrol </strong>next month! It's not just ol' Muscat Mutterer that gives you free stuff you know! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4oQHeZsGXnrTiNHVGaEHyVZ_nmDjkTMnr3EYbqEA36a9rHBnH_babU-H5iiagpWl9UtuJS0DC4yCczjvYEjQGp1uXNgu945rIe2q5dEM6ZUrpGl0MyiTOTJRBT4qBsi4AShT4R2LpVQ/s1600/Alive_Entertainment_-_Snow_Patrol.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4oQHeZsGXnrTiNHVGaEHyVZ_nmDjkTMnr3EYbqEA36a9rHBnH_babU-H5iiagpWl9UtuJS0DC4yCczjvYEjQGp1uXNgu945rIe2q5dEM6ZUrpGl0MyiTOTJRBT4qBsi4AShT4R2LpVQ/s400/Alive_Entertainment_-_Snow_Patrol.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712021763441601474" /></a><br /><br /><blockquote><strong>SNOW PATROL TO PERFORM LIVE IN MUSCAT</strong> <br />- Alive Entertainment & HiFM present award-winning band live on 11 March 2012<br />- Tickets from RO 25<br /><br />Alive Entertainment, in collaboration with HiFM, today announced that best-selling international indie rock band, Snow Patrol, will be performing live in Muscat for one night only on 11 March at the Intercontinental Hotel Gardens. <br /><br />This is the first time in Muscat and in the Gulf for the band, which has performed for live audiences across the world. The five-piece band originally hails from Northern Ireland and has seen international success with their era-defining hits. The band will showcase material from their current album Fallen Empires, as well as performing their hits from their acclaimed albums Final Straw, Eyes Open and A Hundred Million Suns. <br /><br />With demand for tickets expected to be high, register your interest online at www.hifmradio.com where you’ll be kept informed of ticket release dates. On the night, fans can get up close to the action in the fan pit for RO 50 per person, or be part of the fantastic atmosphere with a general admission ticket at RO 25. <br /><br />Gordon Mackenzie, managing director, Alive Entertainment, said: <br />“We are so excited to be bringing Snow Patrol to Muscat for the first time. Quite simply they are an amazing live act: they will be performing all their best-known hits plus material from their new album Fallen Empires. This is sure to be one concert you don’t want to miss.<br /><br />Darren Shortt, Station Manager, HIFM, said: <br />“This is a great event that will certainly rock the capital. With James Blunt and Snow Patrol in Muscat so far in 2012, it’s set to be an awesome year for gigs!”<br /> </blockquote><br /><br /><br />Muscat will be rockin' out on March 11th. And YOU can be a part of it! Simply win those <strong>2 free tickets</strong>. Note they are not just tickets to the show, but they also get you and a friend into the VIP 'Fan Pit' right in front of the stage, together valued at 100 R.O.! [That's US$260 folks]<br /><br /><strong>OK. So how do I enter to win the free VIP tickets?</strong><br />All you have to do is <strong>send me some decent photo's of Blue <s>Ruins</s> City </strong>in Al Sawadi. The first reader to send me some good pics will win the free tickets! Please make sure to let me know if you want photo credit, and any photos may end up published here on Muscat Confidential. What are you waiting for? Get snapping!!<br /><br /><br /><strong>meanwhile, in other news:</strong><br />It appears the previous post's <a href='http://muscatconfidential.blogspot.com/2012/02/another-omani-blogger-arrested.html#comment-form' target='_blank'>story</a> on blogger Muawiya Al Rawahi's 'arrest' is somewhat resolved: he's out of where ever he was, and it seems he was not arrested at all! Read the nice report from <a href='http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/oman/controversial-blogger-released-after-detention-1.981386' target='_blank'>Gulf News</a>. <br /><br /><blockquote>Muscat: Controversial Omani blogger Muawiyah Al Rawahi was released on Monday night after a 10-day detention. <br /><br />"Yes I am out and in good health," Al Rawahi told Gulf News over telephone on Tuesday night. In reply to a question, he said that he is not yet ready to say anything. "I am just out, give me some time and I will talk all about it," he said, adding that he had gone to the security agencies on his own and was not captured as is being speculated on the social media and micro-blogging site Twitter. <br /><br />He refused to talk any further about his detention or release. <br /><br />Since his release, Al Rawahi has posted two posts in Arabic in which he has apologised for his earlier post that may have hurt people. He stressed in his post that he was not apologising under any duress. "I regret that I let down many [people], and I regret that I let down myself," he wrote. <br />...<br /><br /></blockquote><br /><br />Muawiyah, aka 'Sid', left a comment on the previous post too. There is some disagreement between him and pro-Government forum commentator "Mti" about whether or not Oman has freedom of speech or not. As Mti points out, 'freedom of speech' is covered by the Basic Law of Oman:<br /><br /><blockquote>Freedom of speech [or freedom of expressing oneself in any mode] is enshrined in the basic law. In fact it is on of the tenets. Using it constructively is one thing, abusing it is another. There is always a line drawn not be crossed [it is something embeded in the Arabic culture not to trample on others dignity] in expressing oneself. The issue at hand is the delusional individual wrote posts that insulted others. Society just ignored him for what he is and for what he wrote.<br /><br /><strong>"Article (31) Freedom of the press, printing and publication is guaranteed in accordance with the conditions and circumstances defined by the Law. It is prohibited to print or publish material that leads to public discord, violates the security of the State or abuses a person’s dignity and his rights."</strong> [blog comment, Mti]</blockquote><br /><br /><br />I've posted about this before. Article 31 is typical Omani double-speak legislation, purporting to make something 'legal' while simultaneously making the actual thing effectively illegal, in this case by constraining the 'right' of free speech to be allowed <em>only if it's legal</em>, and insulting people or criticising the Government is illegal. <br /><br />Thus, the so-called right to speak freely in Oman is subject to those broad qualifications above, and if you are not allowed to be offensive (to anybody) that is not, IMHO, 'free speech' at all. Almost anything of interest will offend <em>somebody</em>. It is intrinsic to true free speech that you have the right to offend. The right to free speech is, after all, only an issue in the first place when people say things somebody finds offensive. <br /><br />In the case of Oman, you are free to say anything you like only as long as everyone agrees with you (including the Government). <strong>That is not free speech.</strong> <br /><br />On this issue I think people should start with <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Liberty' target='_blank'>'On Liberty'</a> by British Philosopher <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stuart_Mill' target='_blank'>John Stuart Mill</a>. One of his main arguments deals directly with the illogicality of restrictions as contained within Oman's Article 31 and the rather vague 'something embedded in the Arabic culture' argument of Mti.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGBMwM_CF68KrcCk7s4xPYD8GXHNQkhQECXcF0v2xZXzpzPKtScAsdxK1HzyhOt_cOn2JcuWSykp2ZPW2cCUK0KojrDVlH2CUkAj2mvKqeQLv0Nr8OHOd3LpnlRJxjgUW4JOIbjUJy38/s1600/220px-John_Stuart_Mill_by_John_Watkins%25252C_1865.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGBMwM_CF68KrcCk7s4xPYD8GXHNQkhQECXcF0v2xZXzpzPKtScAsdxK1HzyhOt_cOn2JcuWSykp2ZPW2cCUK0KojrDVlH2CUkAj2mvKqeQLv0Nr8OHOd3LpnlRJxjgUW4JOIbjUJy38/s400/220px-John_Stuart_Mill_by_John_Watkins%25252C_1865.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712060613446808466" /></a><em>Photo: John Stuart Mill, 19th Century English Philosopher, demonstrated the <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallacy' target='_blank'>fallacy</a> of commentator Mti's arguments against free speech back in 1859.</em><br /><br />To quote Wikipedia:<br /><blockquote>On Liberty involves an impassioned defense of free speech. Mill argues that free discourse is a necessary condition for intellectual and social progress. We can never be sure, he contends, that a silenced opinion does not contain some element of the truth. He also argues that allowing people to air false opinions is productive for two reasons. First, individuals are more likely to abandon erroneous beliefs if they are engaged in an open exchange of ideas. Second, by forcing other individuals to re-examine and re-affirm their beliefs in the process of debate, these beliefs are kept from declining into mere dogma. It is not enough for Mill that one simply has an unexamined belief that happens to be true; one must understand why the belief in question is the true one.<br />...<br /><br />Perhaps the most memorable point made by Mill in this work, and his basis for liberty, is that "over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign". Mill is compelled to make this assertion in opposition to what he calls the "tyranny of the majority", wherein through control of etiquette and morality, society is an unelected power that can do horrific things. Mill's work could be considered a reaction to this social control by the majority and his advocacy of individual decision-making over the self. The famous Harm Principle, or the principle of liberty, is also articulated in this work: the state or any other social body has no right to coerce or restrict the individual unless the individual causes harm to others, crucially, the individual's own physical or moral harm is not justification for constriction of their liberty.<br />...<br /><br /><strong>It is important to emphasise that Mill did not consider giving offence to constitute "harm"; an action could not be restricted because it violated the conventions or morals of a given society.</strong></blockquote><br /><br />I think the anti-free speech high horse brigade in Oman's circles of bureaucratic power could start by reading some decent 19th Century philosophy.<br /><br />And is Mti himself in breach of Article 31 by calling Sid "delusional"? Isn't that an insult, and therefore illegal?<div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-30356647755677975432012-02-11T18:12:00.014+04:002012-02-23T01:57:53.477+04:00Another Omani blogger arrested & imprisoned as a reminder there is no free speech in Oman. Plus 123 Orion gig pics!<strong>Postscript correction: It is reported that the blogger was not arrested, at least not for blogging, but may have been taken to Oman's Psychiatric Hospital instead for evaluation. </strong><br /><br /><br />>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><br />Oman continues its increasingly common habit of imprisoning journalists and bloggers. The latest victim is blogger <strong>Muawiya Al Rawahi</strong>, as reported last week by <a href='http://advocacy.globalvoicesonline.org/2012/02/06/oman-blogger-muawiya-alrawahi-detained/' target='_blank'>Global Voices On-line</a> and also by the lovely <a href='http://dhofarigucci.blogspot.com/2012/02/blogger-arrested.html' target='_blank'>Dhofari Gucci</a>. He was interviewed earlier by Global Voices <a href='http://globalvoicesonline.org/2010/12/09/oman-a-blogging-pioneer-tells-his-story/' target='_blank'>here</a>.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbVxYyXNAoJvzicO5dz90DwgBWTfsJ0tYPm8YO7UBMRLMh6YCQ2X9ilSRebG2v_ZYzfqIICESlT3QcQEkoxZ7K4y9UjEM6aIAhg2v9PS6GtzwPvrwQzdCXAG8g4XfMwkl81Vw2we7TVE/s1600/muawiya-375x250.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbVxYyXNAoJvzicO5dz90DwgBWTfsJ0tYPm8YO7UBMRLMh6YCQ2X9ilSRebG2v_ZYzfqIICESlT3QcQEkoxZ7K4y9UjEM6aIAhg2v9PS6GtzwPvrwQzdCXAG8g4XfMwkl81Vw2we7TVE/s400/muawiya-375x250.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707924200884144114" /></a><br /><em>Photo: Imprisoned Omani blogger Muawiya Alrawahi. Photo by Jillian C York (taken from Global Voices)</em><br /><br /><br />Al Rawahi's #1 crime was criticising His Majesty, and HM's response to the protests last year, in a recent post (now removed from his site, but available from the Google cache spiders <a href='https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:I61958d_cFIJ:www.muawiya.com/2012/02/blog-post_797.html+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk' target='_blank'>here</a>).<br /><br />Now, Muawiya has always been pretty out-there, with often somewhat rambling posts (unfortunately for us English speakers mainly in Arabic) about his unhappiness, work problems, religious doubts, sex, corruption, wasta, alcohol, & the Omani Government. But his forthright writing about his thoughts and ideas are a breath of fresh air in Oman, a land where maintaining 'face' and civility are of prime import. Muawiya was never afraid to tell it how he saw it. And he wrote what looks to me (via google translate!) like some half-decent Arabic poetry. Lately he started to refer to himself as 'Sid' Rawahi.<br /><br />He's posted critical comments before, but as we all know here in The Sultanate of Oman, explicit speech against Oman's <em>system</em> of Government and especially anything critical of His Majesty, are totally <a href='http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verboten' target='_blank'>verboten</a>. <em>Especially</em> following the protests last year.<br /><br />Hence his arrest and imprisonment. He has not yet faced trial as far as I know, but in Oman there is no <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_corpus' target='_blank'>habeas corpus</a>. And his post could obviously be considered potentially illegal under Omani Law (as is almost any critical posting that mentions the Government or HM, the law is so broad and draconian), so his detention would be found OK under Habeas Corpus even if Oman had such a legal principal. <br /><br />The confirmation by the Omani Court of Appeal of the 5 month prison terms given to the journalists convicted of insulting the Justice Minister doesn't make it look good for someone convicted of similar offenses against HM Sultan Qaboos...<br /><br />It's a pity US journalist Judith Miller, who was granted an unusual 4 hr interview with HM last month (you can read her post about it <a href='http://www.judithmiller.com/11095/sultan-qaboos-bin-said-oman' target='_blank'>here</a>), didn't seem to ask him about such practices. Afterall, it's no secret that Oman is not a democracy, but an autocratic Absolute Monarchy. <br /><br />Instead she focused on the on-going situation with Iran and Syria. HM supposedly said he didn't think Iran was pursuing a nuke, which is something that's difficult to believe he actually thinks, but with tensions high HM is wisely trying his best to calm things down. More on that later.<br /><br />This blog is a big believer in free speech. In fact, I think it's more important in a true democratic sense than the right to vote. And as Muawiya is quoted as saying:<br /><blockquote> <strong>"the issue we don’t discuss is the issue we won’t solve"</strong> </blockquote><br /><br />Here here. So best wishes to you Sid. I trust you are at least being well treated by the boys in ISS and that you'll be released soon. I'm hoping you'll just be given a good talking to and released with a warning. <br /><br /><br /><strong>In other news</strong><br />The <a href='http://muscatconfidential.blogspot.com/2012/01/123-orions-winter-bash-this-thursday-at.html' target='_blank'>gig at Royal Flight</a> by local rockers 123 Orion was a great success. The event was a sell-out and a good time was had by all, abbeted by the cheap drinks at Royal Flight. And they raised a tremendous <strong>RO.705</strong> [~US$1800] for their charity cause - this year the Sindbad mobile library. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0jfBYhzrKa24iGPgt_278D06dMPxN9OnRS8Nw6YLv6-gYDm3TlsYgfCqTb4lA_uGov8ZW45_Bj27GN3Qa2PhOvXHUS-b7ZwjzdMPTMXfMuJfqI1g59LRizJgwvbeYUmPjgDhuXubkFg/s1600/WW_123_Orion_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0jfBYhzrKa24iGPgt_278D06dMPxN9OnRS8Nw6YLv6-gYDm3TlsYgfCqTb4lA_uGov8ZW45_Bj27GN3Qa2PhOvXHUS-b7ZwjzdMPTMXfMuJfqI1g59LRizJgwvbeYUmPjgDhuXubkFg/s400/WW_123_Orion_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707927632945679714" /></a><em>Photo: Psychedelic band 123 Orion rock the house.</em> <br /><br /><br />Well done to all involved, including new support band <strong>Iznogoud</strong>, who I presume have a <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iznogoud' target='_blank'>French connection</a>.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudzZcmsMEHas9SbW3ppZANJrt4YPmJDST6GWJ9S8S5OWnnDXFNRXPrpy4TT05oW5j9ma6dBozyy-Tb2zx6N1r3wg7zj5uEq680qD42mBXCgwYlBrgbL-LvbJy9j-UYVtYqwFCSSgZUhg/s1600/Iznogoud_blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudzZcmsMEHas9SbW3ppZANJrt4YPmJDST6GWJ9S8S5OWnnDXFNRXPrpy4TT05oW5j9ma6dBozyy-Tb2zx6N1r3wg7zj5uEq680qD42mBXCgwYlBrgbL-LvbJy9j-UYVtYqwFCSSgZUhg/s400/Iznogoud_blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707927236153878050" /></a><em>Photo: Support band Iznogoud at the Royal Flight</em><br /><br /><br />Their annual Winter Warmer Bash would be well worth supporting on the strength of 'any excuse for a good party', but to also raise so much money for a good cause makes it extra terrific (& thanks for the pics Jon G!)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0INrK9OuzZVTtiT0dVrm2hyphenhyphenFA69lZZOeYjyvR3HYVzsJk9g7v3hKayOq3NOiRCgOc7cVtb8HOg9zOIMt7oTDwiabAz-I153q4bvk9Lf526vQJkY12eMs3i4jUUoJPuZT36MIZtFLKz7k/s1600/WW_Crowd_blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0INrK9OuzZVTtiT0dVrm2hyphenhyphenFA69lZZOeYjyvR3HYVzsJk9g7v3hKayOq3NOiRCgOc7cVtb8HOg9zOIMt7oTDwiabAz-I153q4bvk9Lf526vQJkY12eMs3i4jUUoJPuZT36MIZtFLKz7k/s400/WW_Crowd_blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707930574003250690" /></a><em>Photo: The crowd enjoying the buzz at 123 Orion's Winter Warmer. Wish I could have been there</em><br /><br /><br /><strong>US moving troops into Oman? Israel keeps threatening to attack Iranian Nuclear sites.</strong><br />Why would HM give a rare interview right now, his first big chat to an American reporter since 1997? <br /><br /><strong>Iran.</strong><br /><br />There are reports by right-wing Israeli news site <a href='http://www.debka.com/article/21708/' target='_blank'>DEBKA</a> of significant US Troop movements into Masirah Island over the past few weeks, along with defensive military preparations in Eastern Saudi.<br /><br /><blockquote>...Tehran too is gearing up for conflict: The Iranian Guards Ground Forces chief Brig. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour Saturday, Feb. 4 announced the start of a three-week exercise in southern Iran and the Strait of Hormuz under conditions of war. debkafile: The "exercise" is in fact an Iranian military buildup ahead of a possible American or Israel attack.<br /><br />debkafile's military sources report a steady flow of many thousands of US troops for some weeks to two strategic islands within reach of Iran, <strong>Oman's Masirah </strong>just south of the Strait of Hormuz and Socotra, between Yemen and the Horn of Africa. (DEBKA-Net-Weekly 526 of Jan. 27 was the first world publication to reveal the massive concentration of American might on the two islands.)<br /><br />This concentration was held by the White House as sufficiently urgent to relent on its refusal to admit the ousted Yemeni leader Ali Abdullah Salah to America for medical treatment. He won permission in exchange for his consent to the Socotra military buildup.<br /><br />...<br /><br />Our military sources report that the Saudis this week wound up their own intensive preparations for war. Large forces are now deployed around Saudi oil fields, pipelines and export facilities in the eastern provinces opposite the Persian Gulf, backed by anti-missile Patriot PAC-3 batteries. American, British and French fighter-bombers have been landing at Saudi air bases to safeguard the capital, Riyadh. <br />...”</blockquote><br /><br />So it seems HM's interview was aimed at helping to cool down the rhetoric on Iran. HM admitted he passed onto the Iranians US warnings of a robust response to any attempt to close the Straits of Hormuz.<br /><br /><blockquote>... He disclosed that Oman, at America's "hint" for assistance, had recently conveyed to the highest levels of the Iranian government a warning about the adverse potential consequences of closing the Strait of Hormuz. How precisely that message was conveyed -- "we have our ways and means," he said -- he would not disclose. But he added that he believes the message was clearly received.<br /><br />"No one will block the Strait of Hormuz," Qaboos asserted. <br />...</blockquote><br /><br />Well, certainly not for very long, not with 3 US aircraft carrier groups around. <br /><br />With some of the largest reserves of natural gas in the world, if electricity is what the Iranians want, good old gas turbine-driven power stations would be the cheapest and fastest way to get electrical power. Nuclear is expensive, slow, antagonistic and dangerous, and doesn't make any sense if all you really want is electricity. Everything points to a secret nuke programme.<br /><br />Fingers crossed there will be a peaceful resolution to this, but in my opinion Iran seems determined to not back down. And if there's military action, remember Oman's US bases will be a target for Iranian retaliation.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Lastly - An Appeal for assistance.</strong><br />I'm trying to finish the long overdue Blue City Part 3, I really am, but I need some <strong>pics of what it looks like at Al Sawadi</strong> these days. So, any readers who happen to be passing the Blue City site, please take a few moments to drive by and email a few photos to me? Please state approximate date taken and what the picture is showing. And let me know if you want photo credit or not!<div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-56416199291535734002012-01-13T20:27:00.005+04:002012-01-13T20:40:03.895+04:00123 Orion's Winter Bash this Thursday at Royal FlightLocal mega-band <a href='http://www.123orion.com/' target='_blank'><strong>123 Orion </strong></a> are doing our annual WINTER WARMER gig at the Royal Flight next Thursday - see the attached flyer! Super-star Jon G will be rockin' the place. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil071z2B9cl7OTyX730PuyfRKZBnysV7QAjrtC6Gu0E17s30elAorgUkX9emXcaJAOAPhBkWAbyPc2nNxD0HW33AUfEDgnAQQ6AH9oc9V8MzTCgtokDxPLm4KUV3x_UZgHJ4XCwxmLscw/s1600/123untitled.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil071z2B9cl7OTyX730PuyfRKZBnysV7QAjrtC6Gu0E17s30elAorgUkX9emXcaJAOAPhBkWAbyPc2nNxD0HW33AUfEDgnAQQ6AH9oc9V8MzTCgtokDxPLm4KUV3x_UZgHJ4XCwxmLscw/s400/123untitled.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697154610776992130" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Muscat Confidential is a big fan of the band, and as always the proceeds go to a good cause - the charity this time is the <strong>Sindbad Mobile Library </strong>- which is a bus full of books that tours the villages of Oman in order to promote literacy for children.<br /><br />UD has enjoyed many a 123 Orion gig at the Royal Flight with Ms Dragon. Cheep booze, great vibe, and only 6 rials. Ph Tess at 99525486 for tickets and info.<br /><br />So Thursday night from 7:30pm at the Royal Flight in Seeb. Soup and snacks provided. Be there!<br /><br />Please send photos!!<div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-51544841014640399582012-01-12T05:47:00.019+04:002012-01-12T08:28:12.955+04:00Dutch Queen visits. Iran keeps rattling swords. The Wave's parks are the coolest place to "hang around, leer, drink and stuff" say bored local teens.Her Majesty the Queen of Holland visited after all - <a href='http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/oman/queen-beatrix-arrives-in-oman-on-a-three-day-visit-1.964055' target='_blank'>Officially this time & for 3 whole days</a> - and it was simply lovely. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMNYm1YBx_OhQ2-Gi4xLm1xxyLJG_Bj0u03HvL72RfhLOM3CVvGd0wqI6XkS7Daz3U1ejsoBp4knLUjnRsSzF5Dfjo4o8bP2PAq8JgvxErOCodx2jbUGCG1m-xxdVTQs42_ro0blWoEM/s1600/zzzz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMNYm1YBx_OhQ2-Gi4xLm1xxyLJG_Bj0u03HvL72RfhLOM3CVvGd0wqI6XkS7Daz3U1ejsoBp4knLUjnRsSzF5Dfjo4o8bP2PAq8JgvxErOCodx2jbUGCG1m-xxdVTQs42_ro0blWoEM/s400/zzzz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696559536996715874" /></a><em>Photo: Their Majesties. Image Credit: Mohammed Mustafa, Gulf News</em><br /><br /><br />Later on, it was <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recurring_in-jokes_in_Private_Eye' target='_blank'> <s>trebles!</s> </a> '<em>Gongs</em> all Round!" <a href='http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/oman/oman-holland-sign-mous-to-strengthen-ties-1.964424' target='_blank'> at the Palace</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote>...<br />Before the banquet, the Sultan and Queen Beatrix exchanged orders. Sultan Qaboos conferred the Al Saeed Order on the Queen who conferred on the Lion of Holland Order on the Omani ruler. <br /><br />Sultan Qaboos conferred the Renaissance Grand Order on Prince William Alexander, Dutch Crown Prince and Sultan Qaboos Order " First Class" to His wife Princess Maxima. <br /><br />The Omani monarch also conferred Al Nu'man Order "first second and third Class" to a number of ministers and high ranking officials in the Dutch delegation. Queen Beatrix Wilhelmina conferred orders on Their Highnesses, ministers and senior officials in the Sultanate.<br />..</blockquote> <br /><br /><br />Jolly good. Carry On. Wonderful to see you. And while you're here <em>do</em> let's have a chat about that <strong>'stable transition to Constitutional Monarchy' </strong>thing...<br /><br />But say, What news of the rumbling from our distant Northern border with our great <s>existential strategic Threat</s> Friend, Iran?<br /><br />Sire, in other news:<br /><strong>Iran is increasingly cornered by US and Europe who finally take away Iran's oil trading dosh. Recently purchased and self-modified <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silkworm_(missile)' target='_blank'>Chinese toys</a> threaten to exit bath-tub.</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xUlkD4Sd7Svrpxdq1KjPbjil4HQg8oXjHveX3z7A0LFPmAcrqfKYShylaH6TSSKvTPiE737oq78GJVMaIBjur8LGs_eBLB_mDd3nfQFV1paW588jm7TxzPxMj26hEHJQmgi-gVvhxPI/s1600/untitled2.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xUlkD4Sd7Svrpxdq1KjPbjil4HQg8oXjHveX3z7A0LFPmAcrqfKYShylaH6TSSKvTPiE737oq78GJVMaIBjur8LGs_eBLB_mDd3nfQFV1paW588jm7TxzPxMj26hEHJQmgi-gVvhxPI/s400/untitled2.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696590010113362994" /></a>Photo's: Toys.<br /><br /><br /><br />Yes, our great ally to the north, Iran, for some reason just held military exercises in the shared Straights of Hormuz, without us. After (insanely) threatening to try to block the movement of shipping through the Straights of Hormuz, Iran proceeded to have a military drill aimed at proving it could. <br /><br />They backed away from that pretty quickly, luckily.<br /><br />Iran's perhaps starting to finally learn what truly effective foreign/military policy when playing no-limit poker with the big boys achieves. <br /><br />Survival.<br /><br />Iran does, it must be said, have the demonstrable capability to militarily <strong>try</strong> to stop oil flow through the Straights of Hormuz, via a combined attack of fixed and mobile missiles, mines, fast attack boats with torpedos, and tiny submarines. <br /><br />Iran's threat of <a href='http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/10/world/pentagon-tries-to-counter-low-cost-but-potent-weapons.html' target='_blank'>'asymmetric warefare'</a> would indeed spike oil prices for a week or few, spill some crude in a beautiful place, maybe even hit some American or ANOther warships. <br /><br />Oh and would result inevitably in the immediate destruction of about every piece of coastline on the Gulf that Iran has, plus every military asset in the whole of South Iran. No more Navy lads. Those centrifuges would get hit damn hard too - multiple strikes of the new super buster; followed by fuel-air bombs. Centralised command and control taken out. Airbases. Critical oil installations. Air defense. Power stations. Pretty ugly.<br /><br />Those pesky mines and submarines will take a while to get, fair enough. About 2 weeks. <br /><br />And don't forget jolly-old <a href='http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/small-air-force-with-a-big-reputation.html?utm_source=googleNews&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=news_feed' target='_blank'>RAFO!</a> Tally-Ho!!!!<br /><br /><br />So it's going to be up to China and Russia to talk Iran down off the ledge. Joking with Chavez about nukes is pretty out there, in a Dr Strangelove kinda way. Little wonder the doomsday clock tick's a minute closer.<br /><br />Who could mediate this? Who?<br /><br /><br />Perhaps defer the planned vacation to Musandam sire. But there's a phone call, urgent,...<br /><br /><br /><br />Meanwhile, as Muscat suffers somewhat from an oversupply of semi-fancy housing and rents drop, the phrase "Tourism Enriches" really hits home. Those cute little local tykes who live near the wave and can drive [oh, I know you know the ones], have realised that a nice green grassy park in The Wave, with no cops, no Angry Uncles/Cousins or broken glass, is a perfect place to paaaaarty! <br /><br />Scatalogical internet memes on 'blond child abduction attempts' [Airport, PDO, The Wave, CCC shopping centre] not withstanding, it does appear the local lads have found a place to 'hang loose' at night. My source reports:<br /><br /><blockquote>via Email: <br /><br />Just wanted to share a disturbing story about the lack of security at the wave. <br /><br />....<br /><br />The Wave has become a haven for miscreants who cruise the streets and camp out in the parks at all hours. The residents are then greeted the morning after with all kinds of fascinating debris ranging from KFC packaging, Mountain Dew bottles, beer cans, alcohol bottles to condoms and vomit. Numerous stalking and harassment incidents have already taken place, but this is the first physical assault we have heard of.<br /><br />With the high profile nature of this development, how can it not attract "visitors"? Why are residents subjected to leering gangs playing cards and getting intoxicated in parks they pay for? It's time for management at The Wave to wake up and provide the access control they promised. This bullshit has got to stop!</blockquote><br /><br /><br />Heck. When you're in your 20's, unemployed, living with your parents, pretty much broke, & still a virgin (at least with a woman), this is probably about the only fun thing your can afford to do these days, i.e. <br /><br />1/ Grab a friend with his Mom's car, <br />2/ Score some bootleg booze and or hash, <br />3/ Get some music [affected American black-style still preferred], <br />4/ Pick up a few buddies, and <br /><br />...<br /><br />5/ Find a nice public area in The Wave, dude! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_B4ILsXR5MrqhikLuun4eZjq9wFjqQlSlDIqHb2VayEPcwyUYyD40khfu2ig2DJPQuJ7PvXHDFw7XpJaUM-x5UmHJN7DwM7yGDk12VyAzHhDBr8Z2OtSA3_zOr-rcx3rsA_6aCEc4jrM/s1600/untitled.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_B4ILsXR5MrqhikLuun4eZjq9wFjqQlSlDIqHb2VayEPcwyUYyD40khfu2ig2DJPQuJ7PvXHDFw7XpJaUM-x5UmHJN7DwM7yGDk12VyAzHhDBr8Z2OtSA3_zOr-rcx3rsA_6aCEc4jrM/s400/untitled.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696583375556535330" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZoaHyCzvV9YRI8THgxbU-NTpJbm45XgyvTHwCaYFd2czIvMUIOOda4nwegOWOKXrSQjgT0sKF4b3XQOp4GDgyEwqI3tQrEkmzTZ8hQinaOz-NCpD2vuO0A5Xad1Dd68M0iKHz4Rw6VM/s1600/untitled.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZoaHyCzvV9YRI8THgxbU-NTpJbm45XgyvTHwCaYFd2czIvMUIOOda4nwegOWOKXrSQjgT0sKF4b3XQOp4GDgyEwqI3tQrEkmzTZ8hQinaOz-NCpD2vuO0A5Xad1Dd68M0iKHz4Rw6VM/s400/untitled.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696567725380001122" /></a><br /><br /><br />Instant party man! A few Female joggers would make it almost too awesome.<br /><br />Why doesn't someone at the Wave:<br />- pick a discreet area very close to the entrance for the local cruisers, and let them party;<br />- put up bright lighting and play loud classical muzac everywhere else, with patrols.<br /><br />However, what I find even more shocking is how shocking this is to an Expat these days.<br /><br />I remember the days when conservatively dressed Expat women would regularly be followed around in Public (say, in Sabco Center) in broad daylight, by some scruffy late-middle-aged Omani guy with a hand inside his dishdasha, quite obviously stroking away. <br /><br />Now Oman has civilised itself to where its problems are more Western. Bored unemployed teenagers. <br /><br /><br />A shot in the Army might sharpen them up... I hear rumblings...<br /><br /><br /><strong>Finally,</strong> <br />the real die-hards (see last post comments) will ask about <strong>Blue City Part 3</strong>. Hell, I figured you all knew anyhow. Biggest bankrupcy in Oman's history. Royal connections. Bail out by Oman Sovereign fund. As always predicted. Here.<br /><br />Can some citizen journalists drive out to Al Sawady and send me some pics please? That's all I'm waiting for. [Oh, and RR, send me an email for an interview?] <br /><br />Give me beach, 'hotels', 'golf course', 'marina', ... I need pictures. Email me.<div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-80041150777061393202012-01-03T19:22:00.006+04:002012-01-04T07:16:45.773+04:00A new year begins with jail for journalists who insulted Minister, and more oil money for all!Well, Happy New Year readers! Let's get straight to the news.<br /><br /><strong>Azzaman Journos sent to jail (again)</strong><br />The 2 journalists from Omani newspaper <em>Azzaman</em>, who were found guilty of insulting the Minister of Justice last October, had their convictions and draconian 5 month jail sentences <a href='http://www.arabianbusiness.com/oman-daily-vows-appeal-journalists-jail-terms-437905.html' target='_blank'>upheld by the Omani Court of Appeal</a> a couple of days ago. <br /><br />This should not have come as a surprise, as in a legal sense they were clearly guilty - the law is so broad and is very easy to breach - plus, lets face it, when taking on the Ministry of Justice on a matter of law the odds are pretty stacked against you! <br /><br /><blockquote> Arabian Business.com, by Claire Ferris-Lay Monday, 2 January 2012 <strong>Oman daily vows to appeal journalists’ jail terms. </strong><br /><br />Omani newspaper Azzaman has pledged to appeal a five-month jail sentence given to two of its journalists for insulting the Gulf state’s justice minister, it was reported Monday.<br /><br />The court of appeal on Saturday confirmed the jail terms given to journalists Yusef al-Haj and editor-in-chief Ibrahim al-Maamaria for an article published in May alleging corruption in the justice ministry, newswire AP said.<br /><br />The court initially ordered the newspaper suspend its operations for a month but decided not to enforce the ruling. Another justice ministry employee was also given five months in prison for telling the journalists that a ministry employee had been denied his salary and benefits by the justice minister without valid cause.<br /><br />Azzaman’s board of directors in a statement complained against the court’s failure to respect an agreement to acquit the pair in exchange for apologizing to the minister, the newswire said.</blockquote><br /><br />I expect a royal pardon soon to get past this trivial issue. Having this case drag on means we get named in the company of really nasty places like <a href='http://www.arabianbusiness.com/iran-named-as-world-s-top-jailer-of-journalists-436051.html' target='_blank'>Iran and other Middle East countries</a> who are <em>really</em> imprisoning journalists by the bus load.<br /><br /><br /><strong>High Oil prices support Oman Economic 'Growth'</strong><br />Meanwhile, Oman's Government continues to pump the extra cash from the high oil prices into the economy, with massive <a href='http://main.omanobserver.om/node/77818' target='_blank'>fiscal injections</a> - Government spending is up by almost 20% in the last 10 months of 2011.<br /><br /><blockquote>[Oman Observer]....<br />Regarding the Public Finance, the State General Budget for the fiscal year 2011 was approved with a total expenditure amounting to RO 8,130 million and a deficit amounting to RO 850 million and was based on the assumption of the oil price at $58, note that the average price of the Oman oil in the year 2011 amounted to about $102.<br />During the year, additional financial allocations have been approved that amounted to RO 1.8 billion, most of which was concentrated on the current civil and security expenditures bringing the deficit of the budget to about RO 2.6 billion. However, and as a result of the stable global oil prices at a higher level, the actual budget is expected to achieve a financial surplus that may reach about RO 1 billion, where an amount of RO 700 million will be used as a part of the means of funding for covering the deficit of the budget of the year 2012, while the remaining surplus, if any, in light of the final closing for the accounts of the fiscal year will be used to strengthen the financial reserves of the State.</blockquote><br /><br />The windfall from high oil prices is helping Oman to protect the domestic economy from the ongoing crisis in the Global economy, and to pay for all those extra Government jobs needed to keep the peace in Sohar and Salalah following the protests. It doesn't do much to diversify the economy, but hey, it's better than nothing. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJv9sw1V1HbL_EfBiNZKSXs-Q48R1ETfjAegp1kMii9Syl9ewFInEh1ayETgIFlJ3CfMKAYljaJgt7Eg6bpsqVJ7YG0irYocoCCYXdNjSJW31Twy9NlPKdqftCWNgmhSvdCt6fQn7PDdk/s1600/oilwell.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJv9sw1V1HbL_EfBiNZKSXs-Q48R1ETfjAegp1kMii9Syl9ewFInEh1ayETgIFlJ3CfMKAYljaJgt7Eg6bpsqVJ7YG0irYocoCCYXdNjSJW31Twy9NlPKdqftCWNgmhSvdCt6fQn7PDdk/s400/oilwell.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693438200999165906" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Oman is still totally dependent on oil and gas exports, directly as oil and LNG, and indirectly via exports of either refined gasoline or the highly subsidised energy heavy exports of aluminium & methanol. This is why the reports from the Ministries of 20% growth in 'non-oil exports' is very misleading. <br /><br /><blockquote>The preliminary forecasts of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) suggest that the national economy in the year 2011 will achieve a growth of (7 per cent) exceeding the growth rate achieved in the previous year (2010) that amounted to (6 per cent). This growth in national economy is based on the added value of the non-oil activities that are projected to achieve a growth rate of (10 per cent) compared with (2 per cent) for the oil activities. This is also attributed to the increased domestic demand as well as the increased non-oil exports by (20 per cent) compared with the year 2010.</blockquote><br /><br />Oman still actually manufactures fuck all. Food imports are rising, and there is precious little to buy in the supermarkets that comes from within (as per the rest of the Middle East). Most non-Governmental services are provided by predominantly expat labour. Especially construction, which is perhaps the biggest real thing being made in Oman, GDP-wise.<br /><br />Thus, the money from the extractive energy sector continues to hide the underlying malaise in Oman's 'real' economy, and job growth remains a matter of increased Government sector spending, either hiring directly (more ROP officiers) or indirectly from employment related to infrastructure projects funded by the State. <br /><br />Eventually the Piper will need to be paid. <br /><br /><br /><strong>In Other News</strong><br />We arrested and will deport <a href='http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/oman/1-243-illegal-residents-arrested-1.959680' target='_blank'>1,243 illegal workers</a> around Seeb and Muscat, all doing nasty manual labour jobs Omanis don't want.<br /><br /><blockquote>... "We caught 174 [all but one Bangladeshis] illegal workers from a single farmhouse in Baushar during one such raid," he said, and added that the Mawaleh Fruits and Vegetable Market was also raided by the teams to root out illegal workers from the wholesale market. <br /><br />Al Badi pointed out that among the arrested there are 417 absconding workers, 525 released workers and 162 infiltrators. <br /><br />According to him, most of the apprehended workers were mostly engaged in farm work, construction industry and restaurant businesses.</blockquote> <br /><br /><br /><strong>Killing ourselves by driving on the roads</strong> continue to be a real growth industry, with official deaths up 25% in 2011.<br /><br /><blockquote>Muscat : Traffic accidents continue to be a big worry for Oman, with almost a 25 per cent increase in deaths during 2011, according to Lieutenant General Hassan Bin Mohsin Al Shraiqi, Inspector-General of Police and Customs. <br /><br />Presiding over the second meeting of the National Committee for Road Safety at the Police Headquarters in Qurum on Saturday, the top police officer in the country said: "The 1,051 fatalities and 11,322 injuries in road accidents [last year] in Oman is a worrying trend, even though the Sultanate is not considered among the countries with high rates of road crashes." </blockquote><br /><br /><br /><strong>"...not considered among the countries with high rates of road crashes"</strong>. LMFAO. This is such typical Omani Government bullshit. As I reported earlier, these ROP stats only count those adults that die at the scene of the accident - to get a more representative number you can double the official one to take account of children and later deaths in hospital. With over 2100 road deaths a year in a population of ~2.5 million, we are killing close to 1 in a thousand, every year. Local blogger <a href='http://www.muscatmutterings.com/2012/01/rop-announces-2011-stats-for-road.html' target='_blank'>Muscat Mutterer</a> posted about the reasons in an excellent rant. <br /><br /><br />At least the <strong>ROP border guards at Al Wajaja </strong>had an awesome New Year's eve, <s>taking delivery of</s> oops, I mean <em>confiscating</em> <a href='http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/oman/huge-quantity-of-alcohol-seized-at-oman-border-1.960778' target='_blank'>35,000 rials worth of demon drink</a> from a particularly unlucky 'Arab national'. I'm sure it was all properly disposed of... <em>hic</em> ... just like all the rest of the booze taken at the Oman border!<br /><br />Cheers to that. <br /><br />So here's to a good 2012. Feel free to recommend a facebook 'like' of Muscat Confidential to your friends!<div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-77194056673343019242011-11-26T07:57:00.007+04:002011-11-26T08:40:58.189+04:00Breaking News: Dutch MP Queries readers of Muscat Confidential.There's going to be another royal visit it seems, and antiglobalist-occupy-hipster-Dutch MP <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_van_Bommel' target='_blank'> Harry van Bommel </a> wants <strong>you</strong> to send him an email with your honest opinion about Oman. <br /><br />Go for it readers of MC! <br /><br />Send him a short email <strong>NOW</strong> in answer to his questions. If you can, cc me on your answer! <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8oiV9aFGuGRUJ8hBL7ThCRpMwfiHJDvhBSPfjfN8OWKF4bmhBigRAlu7i1CorSqo-hGtoqpQx_SUxDh3zoxf4h04pTr7P5gUm_kRfuhZ5gHJFjSn5D0LDlUeHBwa5i2lyuOV-5F7NAE/s1600/harry-met-bloemetje.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 368px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8oiV9aFGuGRUJ8hBL7ThCRpMwfiHJDvhBSPfjfN8OWKF4bmhBigRAlu7i1CorSqo-hGtoqpQx_SUxDh3zoxf4h04pTr7P5gUm_kRfuhZ5gHJFjSn5D0LDlUeHBwa5i2lyuOV-5F7NAE/s400/harry-met-bloemetje.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679149554514201378" /></a><em>Photo: Harry. He wants to ask you about Oman. He's Dutch, <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldmember' target='_blank'> isn't that weird?</a></em><br /><br /><br /><br /><blockquote>Dear friends,<br /><br />Do the new powers of the Shura mean anything? I would like to know since our queen is coming to your country. Please mail me at hvbommel@sp.nl <br /><br />Best regards<br /><br />Harry van Bommel MP <br /><br />---------------<br /><br />Dear friends,<br /><br />Her Majesty the queen of the Netherlands is planning a state visit to Oman. Of course this is giving food for thought in my country. Our prime minister today said the situation in your country is 'stable enough' for a visit of the queen. What is your opinion? Have recent political changes really made a difference? Please mail me at hvbommel@sp.nl with your opinion.<br /><br />Keep up the good work!<br /><br />Harry van Bommel MP </blockquote><br /><br /><br /><br />He's a real live Netherlands Member of Parliament, and he wants to here from you. Give it a go. You might get on CNN...<br /><br /><br /><br />[no other news BTW.... hope you enjoyed Eid and National Holidays!]<div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6283845125208268798.post-18827802758590918222011-10-28T19:27:00.008+04:002011-10-29T00:04:10.115+04:00Shura given new powers. Oman to offer asylum to Ghaddafi family? News round up.So the Shura elections were held successfully, with just 1 woman elected (Congratulations to Nu'amah Bint Jamayel Al Busaidi). 1 is better than zero I guess, although most observers were hoping for more female representatives. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBlITShSCvpGtTRqSRS0lQ9cEGtkpneiUYT0f_tS3_BK6uDrcy7xQVhJBI4zc_zNXyi2yjK50NmvM8-SqeCgFFhWcXZrOe1Uw_Wa3KcN0QvTPg-jtO5Qclh4Hb_m_-JuEZCZBu2p4gz8/s1600/2978038845.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBlITShSCvpGtTRqSRS0lQ9cEGtkpneiUYT0f_tS3_BK6uDrcy7xQVhJBI4zc_zNXyi2yjK50NmvM8-SqeCgFFhWcXZrOe1Uw_Wa3KcN0QvTPg-jtO5Qclh4Hb_m_-JuEZCZBu2p4gz8/s400/2978038845.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668595849461816978" /></a><em>Photo: Happy young voters with photo's of their preferred candidates. Sunil K. Vaidya/Gulf News</em><br /><br />After the elections, as promised to the protesters earlier this year, HM also issued the first <a href='http://main.omanobserver.om/node/69298' target='_blank'>major constitutional change</a> since the Basic Law of the State was issued in 1996, granting (limited) <strong>legislative powers</strong> to the Shura and allowing the Majlis Ash' Shura to elect their own Chairman. The law even allows 15 members of the Majlis Ash'Shura to summon a 'Services' Minister for a grilling. <br /><br />The decree updated the process of how a successor to the Sultan is selected, replacing the Defense Council with a small committee that includes the Majlis Chairman. <br /><br />These are certainly big changes, and represent another step on the path to more effective representative government. Muscat Confidential has <a href='http://muscatconfidential.blogspot.com/2010/10/question-of-succession.html' target='_blank'>long held the view</a> that HM has a goal of leaving Oman with a Constitutional Monarchy, and this is a key part of such a transition. Local legal-eagle BluChi wrote a good summary of the changes <a href='http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/10/21/oman-shura-council-elections/' target='_blank'>here</a>. <br /><br /><br /><blockquote>Oman Daily Observer <br />Fri, 21 October 2011<br />...<br />Article 58 (bis 35): The draft laws prepared by the government shall be referred to the Majlis Oman for approval or amendment and then directly be submitted to His Majesty to issue them. In case of any amendments by the Majlis Oman on a draft law, His Majesty may return the same to the council for reconsidering the amendments and then shall be submitted again to His Majesty.<br /><br />Article 58 (bis 36): The Majlis Oman may propose draft laws and refer the same to the government for assessment and returning the same to the Majlis, procedures provide for in Article 58 (bis 35) shall be followed in approving, amending or issuing the said draft laws.<br />...<br /><br />Article 58 (bis 43): On a request signed by at least 15 members of the Majlis Ash’shura of any of the services ministers may be subject to interpellation on matters related to exceeding their prerogatives by acting in contrary to the law. The Majlis shall debate the same and submit the outcome to His Majesty the Sultan.<br />...</blockquote><br /><br /><br />The results of the election showed how most of the voting is still done along tribal lines, with some people reporting that they were even told to vote for the local tribal leader. As political parties remain illegal in Oman, this is probably no surprise. Without a coordinated party structure, it is hard for potential Shura members to establish a cohesive <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_platform' target='_blank'>manifesto</a>, and even harder for voters to really know what they are voting for wrt specific policies or new legislation. But at least the ban on all polital parties keeps out the election of a dedicated religious extremist party. <br /><br />It is questionable whether the Shura has the <em>capability</em> to use these new powers. This would require the Shura members be given the budget and authority to assemble a staff of advisors, who could then analyse the draft legislation sent from the Council of Ministers, and have a bigger chance of doing a decent job writing suitable amendments. The Shura need independent lawyers and experienced technocrats to take on the civil servants in the Ministries. <br /><br />Oman still struggles to overcome the historic burden of tribalism and family-related favouritism. But, hey, this new law is a good start in a region not known for democracy. <br /><br /><br />Bit of a catch up on miscellaneous news.<br /><br /><strong>Oman to offer Ghaddafi family asylum?</strong><br />Strange report today that Oman was prepared to <a href='http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/10/27/59478138.html' target='_blank'>give the Ghaddafi family political asylum</a>. Interesting. <br /><br />While Oman is a signatory (in December 2000) to the <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_parties_to_the_Rome_Statute_of_the_International_Criminal_Court' target='_blank'>International Criminal Court</a> treaty, they have not yet ratified the treaty and so are not at present a 'State Party' to the ICC. So how any ICC arrest warrants would apply in Oman is a bit vague.<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>Oman 'ready' to give Gaddafi family policial asylum<br /> Oct 27, 2011 22:16 Moscow Time <br /> <br />The authorities of Oman are prepared to grant political asylum to the members of Muammar Gaddafi’s family, Ash-Shark al-Ausat newspaper reports with reference to Libyan sources.<br /><br />The authorities stressed that members of Muammar Gaddafi’s family will not be involved in politics in Oman.<br /><br />According to other sources close to Gaddafi’s family, its surviving members may go to South Africa in the coming days where they will be joined by Gaddafi’s son Saadi who is now in Niger. (TASS)</blockquote><br /><br />If true, I wonder if we'll see this story in the Times of Oman?<br /><br />Meanwhile.<br /><br /><strong>Iranian Threat prompts Oman to buy advanced US anti-aircraft missile systems.</strong><br />It seems releasing Iranian hostages can help get you access to some nice military kit. Oman is buying<a href='http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htada/articles/20111028.aspx' target='_blank'>a suite of advanced US anti-aircraft missiles</a>. These would be capable of shooting down unmanned drones as well as helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. While the Iranian airforce may not be up to much, I guess it's always nice to be prepared. <br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSrS3Aah952YWXaz1Fp-bFiirsQFcUe140OJ4A3vitD4kPoEPq3a3_V-7fHtQqntTK1mQ9eA-CczbWyB0xzFrfA3FzHEyfy4TPv45ATAcIquKFgimsgHLvXzcBgrRqAbVFWaQA_7AGvg/s1600/AMRAAM.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSrS3Aah952YWXaz1Fp-bFiirsQFcUe140OJ4A3vitD4kPoEPq3a3_V-7fHtQqntTK1mQ9eA-CczbWyB0xzFrfA3FzHEyfy4TPv45ATAcIquKFgimsgHLvXzcBgrRqAbVFWaQA_7AGvg/s400/AMRAAM.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668579278802133042" /></a><em>Photo: the SLAMRAAM anti-aircraft system by Raytheon. Toys for the boys.</em><br /><br /><br /><blockquote>October 28, 2011: The Persian Gulf state of Oman is buying 18 American Avenger anti-aircraft systems, as well as 266 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles for them. Also being purchased on 290 SLAMRAAM (ground launched AMRAAM air-to-air missiles) and twenty Hummers to serve as launchers. A Sentinel radar system is being bought to support the SLAMRAAMs. <br /><br />Avengers are hummers with a turret mounted on the back. The turret contains two missile pods (each containing four Stinger anti-aircraft missiles). Under one pod there is an M3P .50 caliber (12.7mm) machine gun. The weapons operator has use of a FLIR (night vision device) and a laser range finder. The machine-gun, however, can't be depressed sufficiently to fire at ground targets towards the front of the vehicle. The missiles have a range of four kilometers, the machine-gun about half that. The usual price is $12-15 million per Avenger system, including Stinger missiles, training gear, spare parts and training and technical assistance.<br />...</blockquote><br /><br /><br />Sweet.<div class="blogger-post-footer">... Muscat Confidential ...</div>Undercover Dragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10577931944980469254noreply@blogger.com4