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| The Middle East Peace Process |
The Sultanate of Oman has stressed that the recent developments in the Palestinian area and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza represent a preliminary step in the right direction of implanting international legitimacy resolutions. Oman is looking forward to Israel cooperating with the Palestinian National Authority and other neighboring states to take similar steps towards an Israeli withdrawal of all occupied Arab territories and the establishment of a completely sovereign Palestinian state. ^
Oman has been following with great interest the developments in Iraq. It is concerned with the disturbing security situation in that country and hopes the Iraqi people can overcome the challenges they face in their quest to build a stable and prosperous Iraq that peacefully co-exists with its neighbors and the rest of the world.
The government of Oman supports the current political process in Iraq and takes the position that all influential communities in the Iraqi society should be involved in the efforts to consolidate security and prepare for rebuilding institutions and the Iraqi economy.
Oman also believes that it is of paramount importance that the United Nations plays a central role in securing the country and overseeing sovereignty transfer to the Iraqi people under UN Security Council Resolution 1546. Furthermore, Oman believes that the UN should help rebuild institutions of state and preserve Iraq’s unity.
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| Iranian Nuclear Programme |
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| Security In The Gulf Region |
Oman is of the opinion that ensuring the security of the Gulf requires that states of the region unite and make the necessary arrangements for regional security and stability. These decisions should be based on dialogue and mutual interests, and the states involved should work towards a self-reliant defense. This is in addition to the need for coordinating cooperation and a collective defense with ally states. Oman believes that security in the Gulf is a definitive necessity and a strategic choice due to the interests of the peoples of the region and future generations. Security and stability can only be achieved through mutual trust and a balance of power and interests between the Gulf states on the one hand and regional powers on the other.
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Oman has stressed that the time has come for the implementation of a world strategy on combating terrorism based on cooperation and exchange of information. The world’s leaders must establish a distinction between the legitimate right to self-defence and repelling aggression and terrorist acts carried out by lawless groups or individuals who use murder and terror to achieve their ends.
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The Sultanate of Oman has stressed that a comprehensive and sustained development has always been the ultimate goal.
Oman demands the granting of more freedom to developing countries in formulating their development plans, in light of their national priorities and according to their own circumstances, but in line with international development strategies.
On the international level, Oman is concerned with the number of peoples and territories worldwide that are still struggling to achieve these necessary levels of development. It is difficult when they must also combat disease, poverty, and the damages caused by natural disasters. Oman believes that developed countries are obliged to allow developing and poverty-stricken societies to reap the fruit of the world economy by reviewing policies on debt cancellation and providing them with all forms of economic support. This includes allowing poor countries to manufacture and sell medicine at lower prices for AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis sufferers.
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The Sultanate of Oman has stressed that developing and improving the United Nations’ performance ought to be comprehensive and not tied to any deadlines. It should include all apparatuses and agencies of the UN and take into account the changes on the international stage with regards to improving international action and swiftly responding to challenges facing our contemporary world.
The UN’s role should be central and decisive in drawing international policies. The UN Social and Economic Council should not be restricted to reviewing plans adopted by the UN; the council ought to develop its dialogue and solidarity with the Bretton Woods Project institution and the World Trade Organisation, particularly on the creation of world economic policies. It is suitable in this context that regional and international organizations coordinate their efforts to achieve integration.
The Sultanate reiterates its support of the UN and all the efforts made to bolster and improve the standard of performance of this organisation and its agencies. This requires a political cooperation among all member states.
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Proceeding from Oman’s conviction that joining disarmament agreements is bound to strengthen regional and international peace and security, it also guarantees transparency in issues covered by these agreements, a stipulation that serves as a good incentive for mutual trust, cooperation, and responsibility internationally.
On these grounds Oman has joined all agreements and treaties in connection with weapons of mass destruction, starting with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the international ban on chemical weapons, the treaty on banning germ warfare, and the total ban on nuclear tests treaty.
Oman calls on countries owning nuclear weapons to join these treaties and agreements, particularly the NPT, and establish a time scale for scrapping their stockpiles of those destructive weapons.
The Sultanate of Oman also calls for practical steps towards making the Middle East an area free from all types of weapons of mass destruction, and asks that all countries in the region sign the relevant agreements, including the NPT, and agree to subject their facilities to control under the rules of the International Agency for Atomic Energy. |
