October 29, 2004

SULTAN QABOOS BIN SAID STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSEVERANCE IN ORDER TO REACH BROADER HORIZONS IN THE FIELDS OF DEVELOPMENT. OMAN IMPLEMENTS SUCCESSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLANS IN THE SULTANATE, TO FINISH THE MAIN INFRASTRUCTURE OF A MODERN STATE. THE BASES OF THE OMANI COUNCIL. Sultan Qaboos bin Said underlined the need to take advantage of the natural diversity and geographical location of the Sultanate, by way of tourism, to add to the national revenue. Sultan Qaboos made this call during a speech before the annual session of the Council of Oman. Sultan Qaboos also stressed the need to acquire knowledge and a work regimen, which though broadminded in outlook, would at, the same time, preserve the national character and roots. Sultan Qaboos also highlighted the significance of fruitful endeavours to increase non-oil productivity, which he said, will lead to furthering both national income and provision of jobs. Sultan Qaboos was also cognizant of the vital role the Sultanate envisioned to promote peace and stability throughout the world, in general, and the region, in particular. For this he said, it was imperative to free Arab lands still under occupation, particularly those of the Palestinians, "who needed to be given the right to self-determination". Hereunder is the full text of Sultan Qaboos's speech before the Council of Oman: Dear Citizens, It gives us pleasure to speak to you today, as we meet on the occasion of the annual session of the Council of Oman, to reaffirm our determination and resolution to work diligently, with full confidence in God's will, towards broadening the horizons of a sustainable comprehensive development. And we must bear in mind that this will only be attainable through means of knowledge, work and being broad-minded in keeping abreast of today's developments and achievements in all walks of life, but at the same time preserving our basic principles and our firm roots. We should be fearless when communicating with different civilisations and cultures around the world, and in exploring the accomplishments and developments in those communities, in order to enhance our position in a world which no-one doubts, thanks to the latest scientific advancements, has become smaller, like a village, where no society can isolate itself without interacting and communicating with others, that is, if that society seeks to achieve prosperity and welfare for its citizens. This was the case with our Omani ancestors who, throughout the ages, travelled to different parts of the world. They extended the hand of friendship to all and looked forward with optimism to the mutual exchange of interests with other communities without taking sides. As you know, our goals are the implementation of successive development plans in the Sultanate, to finish the main infrastructure of a modern state, and to raise the living standards in all areas of our dear homeland. This is being accomplished in accordance with specific programmes, which have been studied very carefully, and which are aimed at increasing the ratio of economic development with more emphasis on the diversification of the sources of national income and the development of human resources. In this respect, the outcome of the policies followed by our government to encourage all non-oil sectors is now visible, thanks be to God. We can already see the projects, which have been completed and those which are now on-going. These will all lead to an increase in the national income and will provide more, and larger, opportunities for work and training, and thus we will gain more and new skills for the youth of Oman who are keen to take over different jobs in various fields of employment. We have a strong belief in the importance of the tourism sector, since it is an emerging industry at international level where it has become one of the main sources of revenue in many developed countries. And because God has bestowed our country with an environment and geographical diversity, as well as other essential elements, that makes it a favourable tourist destination in the region, we took the decision to establish a Ministry of Tourism to administer this vital and important sector. We hope that those who are in charge of its work will take the appropriate steps to expedite the implementation of the carefully studied procedures and steps, which are necessary to develop this sector in the near future, God willing. This should be achieved through coordination with the other concerned government departments and the private sector. We wish to underline in this important annual session the attention and emphasis we place on economic development and human resources in our dear motherland. As to our foreign policy it is based, as you know, on certain fundamental principles which we have not deviated from, that is we always take sides with rightness, justice, and joint efforts with other peace-loving nations to settle international conflicts through dialogue and negotiations so that security and stability may prevail and all nations on earth will be able to reap the benefits thereof. And on that basis, we call again for the lifting of the daily suffering endured by the Palestinian people and the need to give them the opportunity to achieve their goals and establish an independent state. We also hope that the Arab states, whose lands are still under occupation, will be able to recover them and that security and stability may prevail in Iraq and prosperity and progress reign in our region and the whole world. We also call for respect for international law and the principles and conventions upon which it is based, and for tolerance between communities and races. May God make this country secure and stable, protect it, and bestow on its people abundant fruits. You are the hearer, the responder and able to do all things. May Peace be upon you, and God's mercy and blessings. The session was attended by members of the royal family, ministers, the presidents of the Council of State and the Majlis Al Shura, advisers, commanders of SAF and ROP corps as well as the members of the Council of State and the Majlis Al Shura, heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the Sultanate, sheikhs and dignitaries. Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, deputy prime minister for the Council of Ministers, has affirmed the importance of Sultan Qaboos's speech before the Council of Oman, which he said, shed light on important aspects of the march of nation-building. In a statement, Sayyid Fahd said the royal address came as an expression of the strong will to preserve domestic growth and national unity at all times. Sayyid Fahd said what the Sultanate witnesses today was due to the unlimited attention from the Sultan to ensuring progress for the Sultanate and the concerted efforts of the government, State Council, Majlis Al Shura, private sector and citizens to realise stability. Sayyid Fahd said the Sultanate's stance towards Arab and Islamic causes were steadfast. He noted the economic policies implemented by the government focused on diversifying sources of income and the government was planning a comprehensive education strategy in implementation of the Sultan's directives. Sayyid Fahd said planned and carefully studied tourism would help spread knowledge and fraternity among nations and that the government in its planning for the sector considered preserving the traditions of the Omani society and the country's originality. On foreign policy, Sayyid Fahd reiterated the Omani position of cooperation with friends in all peace-loving countries to ensure the prevailing of constructive dialogue as a way to settle all differences and avoid compromising interests of all people and peace and security. Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, said the royal address of Sultan Qaboos bin Said at the annual session of the Council of Oman focused on the need to continue development during the upcoming period. He added in a statement to a local Arabic daily, published yesterday, that the Sultan's reference to the tourism sector in his address reflected the importance of this sector which actively contributes to the national income. On the government priorities during the forthcoming period, Sayyid Ali said the government endeavours to promote training and education means and to support job seekers in the government and private sectors. He noted that the number of students admitted at the higher education institutions would increase not only at Sultan Qaboos University, but also at private universities and technical colleges. Meanwhile Arab and foreign media gave extensive coverage to Sultan Qaboos bin Said's address when he opened the annual session of the Council of Oman. The Royal Decree relating to the Council of Oman has decreed the following: Article no (1): to council of Oman shall be constituted of - The state council - Majles Ashura Article no (2): The sultan will open the council of Oman at the beginning of every new session of both the state council and Majles Ashura. The Sultan may convoke a joint sessions between the two councils to discuss some specific issues to be declared by the royals will when such invitation is issued. Is such event, no other issues will be discussed and the joint sessions will be chaired by either the President of the State Council or the President if Majles Ashura at the discretion of the Sultan. All members of the two councils must attend the of the two Councils must attend the opening sessions of the Council of Oman and the Council of Defense as stipulated by the article No 7 of the Basic Law of the State. No member should fail to attend the aforesaid session except for reasons beyond his control. Article No (3): The recommendations of the joint sessions convoked by the Sultan will be passed by a majority vote of the present members other than the President who will give the casting vote in case of equality. Article No (4): The State Council and Majles Ashura shall be governed by the provision of the system attached hereto. The internal regulation of both councils will be issued by a Royal Decree. Article No (5): The Royal Decree No 93/91 and the Royal Decree No 98/91 will be deemed canceled as well as whatever contravenes of contradicts with this Decree. Article No (6): This Decree shall be published in the official gazette and come into force from the date hereof. Issued on 16th shaaban, 1418 16th December 1997 Qaboos Bin Said The system of the state Council and Majles Ashura First Chapter Joint provisions between the Two Councils Article No (1): Each of the State Council and Majles Ashura shall be corporate entity which shall enjoy administrative and financial independence; its domicile shall be located in Muscat. Article No (2): The membership for both the State Council and Majles Ashura shall be for three years. Membership for the State Council may be renewed for other similar periods, but membership for Majles Ashura shall not be renewed except for another one period pursuant to the prescribed procedure. Article No (3): The Presidents of both the State Council and Majles Ashura Shall before assuming their duties take the following oath, before the Sultan. I swear by Allah, the Almighty, that I shall be loyal to my Sultan and my country and respect the Basic Law of the state and the valid laws and preserve the integrity if the State and the basic elements of fundamental values of Omani Society, and to perform my duties in the council and its committees honestly and faithfully. The members shall before assuming their duties take the same oath each before their respective council. Article No (4): Any member of the State Council of Majles Ashura shall lose his membership in the following events: a) If loses any of the membership condition. b) If loses integrity and confidence. c) If he fails to perform his duties as regulated by the relevant provisions. Article No (5): Each of the State Council and Majles Ashura shall have as secretariat general comprising a Secretary-General and a number of assistants and staff. The Secretary General shall be appointed by a royal decree and will be granted the status prescribed for and undersecretary. Article No (6): Each of the State Council and Majles Ashura shall hold four ordinary sessions each year during the months of January, March, May and October. The President of either Council may convoke an extra ordinary session if necessary. Article No (7): The Council of Ministers shall designate two annual meetings, one of which shall be attended by the President and the members of the State Council Bureau; the other shall be attended by the Presidents and the members of Majles Ashura Bureau, for the purpose of following up are-as of coordination between the governments, on the one side, and the State Council and Majles Ashura on the other. The Council of Ministers may form a joint committee with either the State Council of Majles Ashura to coordinate relations between the government and the (appropriate) council in the public interest, particularly with regard to recommendations referred by the Sultan to the government, in order to ascertain its view on the feasibility of their implementation of to identify the best ways of benefiting from them. The committee shall also prepare for the annual coordinatory meeting indicated in the previous paragraph. Article No (8): The ministers, government authorities and public corporate and establishments shall cooperate to facilitate with each one of the State Council and Majles Ashura to facilitate its duties and provide it with statements or information's as it may request in respect of matters falling within its jurisdiction. Article No (9): Each President of the State Council and Majles Ashura shall submit an annual report to the Sultan on result of the activities of the Council presided by him. Article No (10): The emolument of the President of each one of the State Council and Majles Ashura and the remuneration of the members shall be determined as per Royal Orders. Second Chapter The State Council Article No (11/a): The State Council shall comprise of a number of members not exceeding the number of the members of Majles Ashura. They shall be appointed by Royal Decree(1) (b) The President of the State Council will be appointed by a Royal Decree Article No (11/c): The State Council shall choose in its sessions two of the member to become the Deputy Presidents. Article No (12): The members of the State Council will be selected from the following categories: a) Previous ministries and undersecretaries or those of similar grade. b) Previous ambassadors. c) Senior previous judges. d) Senior retired officers. e) Those who are known for competence and wide experience in the various fields of science, arts and culture and universities, colleges and high institutes lecturers. f) Dignitaries and businessmen. g) Persons who had rendered valuable services to the nation. h) Any other person as the Sultan may deem fit. Article No (13): Without prejudice to provision of article No 12, the member of the State Council shall satisfy the following conditions: a) To be an original Omani national in accordance with the law b) He should not be less than 40 years old c) He shall be of good standing and has good reputation as well as reasonable practical experience and shall not have been convicted of any felony or crime pertaining to honor or honesty unless a pardon is passed in his favor. Article No (14): The member of the State Council may by a written application addressed to the President of the Council, request his relief from the membership of the Council, an the President shall submit the same to the Sultan. Article No (15): If for any reason a seat of any member of the State Council falls vacant prior to the expiry of the period of the Council, a substitute member shall be appointed by a Royal Decree for the end of the period of the council. Article No (16): It shall not be permitted for any one to hold simultaneously the memberships of the State Council and Majles Ashura nor shall any one other than the two categories mentioned in the two paragraph (e) &(h) of article No 12 hold simultaneously the membership of the State Council and public post. Article No (17): The State Council shall assist the government to implement the overall developmental strategy and shall contribute in deepening the roots of the values of the Omani society, maintaining the achievements and ascertaining the principals of the Basic law of the State. Article No (18): The State Council shall for the purpose of achieving its goals have the following functions: a) Preparing studies, which will contribute to the implementation of development plans and programs and assist in finding appropriate solutions to economic and social obstacles. b) Submitting proposals for encouraging investment in the production, service and resources development sector. c) Submitting studies and proposals on policies, plans and programs related to administrative reform and performance improvement. d) Revising the draft laws before steps are taken for their promulgation, with exclusion of administrative and procedural laws and the laws that the Council of Ministers recommends to be submitted directly to the Sultan. The State Council shall submit its recommendations in respect to the draft laws to the Council of Ministers. e) Studying topics serving the public interest as may be referred thereto by the Sultan or the Council of Ministers, and expressing its opinion thereon. Article No (19): The State Council shall submit the result of its studies, proposals and recommendations to the Sultan of the Council in its first session. Article No (20): The State Council shall have Bureau comprising the President, his two deputies and four members who shall be chosen by the Council in its first session. Third Chapter The Majles Ashura Article No (21): The Majles Ashura shall be representative from the Willayat of the Sultanate to be selected as following: a) Each Willayat the number of population of which are 30 thousand persons of more shall nominate four persons of its citizens two of whom shall be selected as member of Majles Ashura. b) If the number of the population of the Willayat are less than 30 thousand, only two persons shall be nominated, one of whom shall be selected for the membership of the Majles Ashura. c) The Minister of Interior shall, prior tom commencement of the candidature proceedings issue in consultation with the authorities concerned, a declaration on the classification of the Willayats according to the density of their population. The Minister of Interior shall also by an order made under his hand issue the regulations governing the conditions and procedure. Article No (22): Any one who is nominated of selected to the membership of the Majles Ashura shall satisfy the following conditions: a) To be original Omani national in accordance with the law b) He shall not be less than thirty years old c) He shall be of good standing and has good reputation in this Willayat, and shall not have been convicted to any felony or crime pertaining to honour or honesty unless a pardon is passed in his favour. d) Should have level of education and reasonable practical experience. Article No (23): The members of the Majles Ashura shall be appointed by a Royal Decree. The President of the Majles Ashura shall also be appointed by a Royal Decree. Article No (24): The Majles Ashura shall in its first session, select two deputies to the President from among its members. Article No (25): The Majles Ashura shall have Bureau comprising the President, his two deputies and six members who shall be selected by the Majles at its first session. Article No (26): No one is permitted to hold simultaneously the membership of both the Majles Ashura and the State Council, nor the membership of the Majles and a public post. If necessity requires that a government official be nominated, and such official is selected, the service of such official shall be deemed to be terminated from the date of royal decree appointing him as a member of the Majles becomes effective and paragraph (C) of section (22) of the pension & after service benefits shall apply to his case. Article No (27): If a seat of any member of the Majles Ashura falls vacant for any reason before the expiry of full tenure of the Majles, a successor to such member shall be appointed by a Royal Decree for the remaining period of the Majles. Article No (28): The Majles Ashura shall assist the government in all aspects of the Omani society and provide all appropriate that the Majles may find necessary to support the society's fundamental values and principles. Article No (29): The Majles Ashura shall with the object of achieving its aims have the following functions: a) Revising the draft laws before steps are taken for their promulgation, with exclusion of administrative and procedural laws and the laws that the Council of Ministers recommends to be submitted directly to the Sultan. The Majles Ashura shall submit its recommendations, in respect to the draft laws, to the Councils of Ministers. b) Submitting to the Council of Ministers what it deems appropriate in the field of developing economical and social laws enforce in the Sultanate. c) To express its opinions on such matters as may be referred thereto by the government and to submit proposals thereon through the secretariat-general of the Council of Ministers. d) Contributing in the preparation of the national development plans to and comment on its general frame work as referred by the government and to submit work as referred by government and to submit reports of the same to the Council of Ministers. e) To help in deepening the awareness among citizens of the aims, functions and priorities of the development and the efforts exerted to implement it, with the purpose of identifying the nature of the requirements of citizens and the government. f) The participate in efforts aiming at the preservation of the environment and protection thereof from the adverse effects of pollution. g) To study maters relating to the public services and utilities and propose means of developing and improving them. h) To study the impediments facing the economic sector and to propose suitable means for remedy thereof. i) To express opinions on such matters as may be referred thereto by the Sultan. Article No (30): With out prejudice to the provisions of paragraphs (a, b, c and d) of article 29, the Majles Ashura shall its recommendations to the Sultan. Article No (31): The Majles Ashura shall receive annual reports from ministers of the services on the achievement and plans of their ministries. The Majles may, if necessary, invite any of them to present a statement on some of the matters relating to the functions of his ministry with the object of discussing and exchanging views on them.