October 1992, Page 50, 51

The Night the Omanis Danced

By Hussein Shehadeh

The most important event in the modern history of the Sultanate of Oman was the takeover of power from Sultan Said Bin Taimur, on July 23, 1970, by his son, the then-29-year-old Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. After the bloodless coup by the Sandhurst-educated Qaboos, who had been put under virtual house arrest by his father upon his return to his country, Omanis danced joyfully in the streets. It was the end of an era in which the country had been almost without schools and health services and virtually closed off from the rest of the world.

The name of the Sultanate of Oman, situated in the southeast corner of the Arabian peninsula, seldom appeared in the press until 1985. Then Iran, during its war with Iraq, threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, which separates Iran from Oman.

This would have choked off the flow of oil from the Arab states of the Gulf, which were supporting Iraq. It was that threat that led the U.S. to reflag Kuwaiti tankers and escort them in the Gulf, necessitating close cooperation between the U.S. Seventh Fleet in the Indian Ocean and Oman. This cooperation continued with U.S.-led coalition forces during the Gulf war.

Aside from the fact that Oman occupies a strategically important position, it also is a particularly beautiful and historic country which in only 22 years has evolved from the Middle Ages into a modern welfare state.

Oman's position on the Persian Gulf and the Indian ocean has been the decisive factor in its long history as a trading nation. By the time Sinbad the Sailor set out from Omani ports, Omanis had been riding the monsoon winds between Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent for centuries. In those days, Oman exported large quantities of copper and incense. Omanis reached China as early as 750 A.D. Later, Oman's strategic position meant that the great colonial powers of the time, England and Portugal, became increasingly interested in the country.

The Portuguese conquered the Omani coast in the 16th century, but were subsequently expelled by the Omanis not only from Oman, but also from other ports in East Africa and Asia. Among these, Zanzibar and areas in present-day Pakistan became part of an Omani empire which lasted until the mid-19th century. After this, Oman sank into poverty, partly because of clashes with the British and partly because the sea routes between Asia and Europe had changed.

Oil was discovered in Oman around 1960, but the income was not used for the benefit of all of the country's inhabitants until Sultan Qaboos Bin Said took over leadership of the country.

"Before Qaboos we had nothing," the Omanis say. How serious they are is demonstrated by the statistics.

In 1973, in all of Oman there were only three primary schools with a total of 900 pupils, all of whom were boys. There was one hospital. Only 10 kilometers of Oman's roads were asphalted, and the phone network had only 550 subscribers.

Modern agriculture did not exist and even traditional farming had fallen into decay. Fishermen only had small boats without engines. Child mortality was high and disease rife among adults. Blindness was common. Now the U.N. describes Omani development as exemplary.

Despite the peace of development, Oman retains its cultural identity, as any visitor to this uniquely scenic and picturesque country can attest. Omanis remain friendly, sober-minded people, who have been able to resist major negative outside influences. This may be because of their strong family ties, their Islamic identity, and perhaps because they were for so long a maritime people, accustomed to contact with foreign cultures.

Economic and Social Development

Since 1976, Oman's economic and social development has been steered by five-year plans. The most remarkable thing about the development process has been that it has avoided waste. Revenues have been invested in an infrastructure of social, educational, health and vocational development as well as rapid expansion of the twin cities of the capital area, Muscat and Matrah.

The decline in oil prices in recent years has slowed the explosive tempo of development, but it has by no means come to a standstill. Oman has simply assigned stricter development priorities. One cornerstone of Omani policy has been diversification of the economy, to create the basis for other forms of income than oil.

The country is well endowed. The monsoon rains allow for extensive agricultural development. Oman's long coastline makes widespread fishing profitable, and the country has exploitable minerals such as copper, iron, chromium and nickel, as well as marble. The prerequisite for all of this diversification, however, is the political stability that has made it possible to develop a sound infrastructure and improved education and health care.

The number of schools expanded from 3 in 1970 to 720 in 1989. More than 300,000 girls and boys attend schools staffed by 7,000 teachers. Evening schools have also been established to eradicate adult illiteracy, even in rural areas.

Oman's first university opened in 1988. During its first years it is concentrating on such subjects as engineering, medicine, agriculture and fisheries. Other higher education facilities include agricultural, teacher training and technical colleges.

There now are some 50 hospitals with nearly 3,000 beds, and the Ministry of Health has established nearly 100 clinics. Oman also has more than 30 mobile medical units to reach even the most isolated areas.

Financial aid is available to the elderly and the needy. In addition, the government offers support to those who wish to set up their own businesses, as well as comprehensive housing subsidies and low-cost building loans. The 10 kilometers of paved roads in Oman in 1970 had expanded by 1989 to 4,000 kilometers of paved roads and an additional 16,000 kilometers of unpaved roads. Modern ports have been built, and there now are four international airports. The postal service covers the nation, and radio and television networks have been established.

The Crucial Fishing Industry

The government is concentrating on developing the fishing industry, and financial support is available for the purchase of modern equipment. Fisheries research centers have been set up and new fishing ports are under construction, complete with refigeration and processing plants.

Oman still is importing much of its food, but expects to start exporting farm goods to other countries in the region within a few years. To encourage private individuals to develop industries, the government provides interest-free loans and can exempt companies from taxation for several years. Suitable building sites also are provided, and several industrial estates already have emerged.

The government favors industries that will enable it to cut down on imports of building materials, plastics, paper goods and foodstuffs. Sultan Qaboos is one Third World leader who can recall with pride his pledge to his people in 1970 "to create the conditions necessary for a happy life as soon as possible." It's a promise he has kept.

Hussein Shehadeh, Ph.D., is a writer and commentator on Arab affairs based in Copenhagen, Denmark. His doctorate is in film science from the University of Copenhagen.

< Prev		Next >