A glimpse into foreign policy
Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, spoke to the Press Club in Muscat on 10th October.
These are what I consider to be key features of his speech as reported in the Oman Observer published 11th October. My comments refer only to what was reported rather than what else might have been said.
The Iraqi situation shows some improvement compared to what it used to be in 2003. (ed. a diplomatic answer)
Alawi hailed the Lebanese people’s determination to stand together, considering Hizbollah an inseparable part of the nation. (ed. Oman recognises Hizbullah as a political institution and supports Lebanon but doesn't go as far as saying that the Sultanate supports military opposition to Israel.)
As for the Palestinian front, the victory of Hamas in the democratic elections astounded all. (ed. Oman was astounded too? But the elections were democratic.)
Alawi did not see an easy end to the Palestinian political crisis. For things to move on according to ground reality, democracy has to be given ‘a holiday’, he said, pointing out that this would take the whole situation back to the times of the old Palestinian constitution that granted unlimited power to the president. (ed. does this mean that Oman favours power being handed back to Mohammed Abbas in an attempt to restore governance in Palestine?)
On concerns over Iran's refusal to suspend enrichment of nuclear fuel, Alawi said that all efforts should be used to protect the ‘golden age of our region’. GCC states are determined to push forward the efforts of peaceful dialogue, he said. (ed. Oman does not, very understandably, want to see military action which could result in regional devastation, and will promote, along with other GCC states, continuing dialogue).
North Korea is different because it withdrew from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but Iran is still committed to its pledges. The main problem is that Iran has a lack of confidence with ‘others’. (ed. all those countries 'talking' to Iran should focus on building up trust, rather than trying to undermine Iran's national identity. North Korea has broken the rules).
These are what I consider to be key features of his speech as reported in the Oman Observer published 11th October. My comments refer only to what was reported rather than what else might have been said.
The Iraqi situation shows some improvement compared to what it used to be in 2003. (ed. a diplomatic answer)
Alawi hailed the Lebanese people’s determination to stand together, considering Hizbollah an inseparable part of the nation. (ed. Oman recognises Hizbullah as a political institution and supports Lebanon but doesn't go as far as saying that the Sultanate supports military opposition to Israel.)
As for the Palestinian front, the victory of Hamas in the democratic elections astounded all. (ed. Oman was astounded too? But the elections were democratic.)
Alawi did not see an easy end to the Palestinian political crisis. For things to move on according to ground reality, democracy has to be given ‘a holiday’, he said, pointing out that this would take the whole situation back to the times of the old Palestinian constitution that granted unlimited power to the president. (ed. does this mean that Oman favours power being handed back to Mohammed Abbas in an attempt to restore governance in Palestine?)
On concerns over Iran's refusal to suspend enrichment of nuclear fuel, Alawi said that all efforts should be used to protect the ‘golden age of our region’. GCC states are determined to push forward the efforts of peaceful dialogue, he said. (ed. Oman does not, very understandably, want to see military action which could result in regional devastation, and will promote, along with other GCC states, continuing dialogue).
North Korea is different because it withdrew from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but Iran is still committed to its pledges. The main problem is that Iran has a lack of confidence with ‘others’. (ed. all those countries 'talking' to Iran should focus on building up trust, rather than trying to undermine Iran's national identity. North Korea has broken the rules).
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