By Bilal Hussain.
The newsflash of Sultanate of Oman joining the Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism (IMAFT) — forty county military alliance led by Saudi Arabia to fight terrorism— have taken many by surprise. A geopolitical shift that would get Oman closer to many countries especially to the Saudi kingdom, however, it might take the Sultanate away from Iran.
Confirming that Oman will join a coalition of Islamic states to combat terrorism, Oman’s Foreign Ministry has issued a statement. The statement is said to have emphasised that the Sultanate’s accession to the alliance of Islamic States to combat terrorism comes in the context of a common understanding of Islamic countries.
The change in the foreign policy by the Sultanate of Oman is expected to build new cooperation with Saudis while many apprehend the shift might annoy Iran. Oman is strategically located on the canal of Hormuz—the fine waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, 40 percent of the world’s seaborne crude oil passes through the passage—has a history of productive dealings with Iran.
According to the some reports the Sultanate has always maintained relations with Iran and played a role to mediate a ceasefire that ended the fighting. And on many occasions in past Oman has taken positions that were contrary to other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member of which Oman is a member concerning the region. The present move is seen as the return of Oman to the GCC accord against Iran.
Notably, after an attack on Saudi embassy in Tehran over the execution of a prominent Shi’ite cleric, the Saudi kingdom suspended ties with Iran last year. This further aggravated the fragile relationship and widened the gulf between the Saudi Aribia and Iran.
The IMAFT is formed a year ago, a move welcomed by US in wake of the global fight against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. The cooperation excludes both Iran and Iraq, though it is not openly intended to oppose Iran.
According to a report by the RAND Corporation— a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges— “The alliance reflects a new Saudi determination to act on behalf of its own security interests. Riyadh no longer sees the United States as the reliable ally it once was.” Also, the report mentions that Oman, has opposed Saudi efforts to move the GCC toward a closer alliance and was notably absent from the list of nations in the Riyadh announcement.
With this development in the backdrop, will trade between Oman-Iran survive which has surged since international sanctions were lifted against Iran earlier this year? According to the data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information of Oman, imports from Iran went up by 396.2 percent to OMR183.1 million, from OMR36.9 million in the same period last year. According to experts, bilateral trade between Oman and Iran was likely to touch US$5 billion within five years, from the current $1 billion.
While, bilateral trade between Oman and Saudi Arabia has seen a sharp rise since 2011, increasing by an overall 73%, while the Sultanate’s non-oil exports to Saudi surged by 90% in 2013. Now, the trade is expected to surge through new business opportunities and areas of collaboration that will be mutually beneficial to both countries. Prince Mohammed is also expected to travel to Muscat in coming weeks to prepare for a visit by King Salman.
And given the historical position of the Sultanate, it would be of great interest to see how long Oman will remain associated with the alliance. In past, Oman has never followed the policy of Riyadh or Abu Dhabi with respect to Iran, except briefly after the fall of the shah. Iran is believed to have militarily supported Sultan Qaboos, after he gained power in 1970, to end a rebellion backed by South Yemen.
There is a ray of hope and some optimism as covered by the RAND Corporation in a report mentioning, “It consistently evident in Qaboos’s foreign policy is pragmatism. Qaboos overestimates neither Oman’s capabilities nor other nations’ intentions toward the Sultanate. Nor does he rule out former enemies as potential partners, or the use of bold initiatives that, though unpopular with his fellow Arab rulers, serve the long-term goals of securing Oman’s political, economic, and military needs.”
It would be really a challenging task for the diplomats of Oman to see to it that the how Oman can maintain good relations with Iran and at the same time improve relations with Saudi Arabia. Or does the hostility of Saudi Arabia and Iran toward one another mean that the Oman must choose between them—in either case, to the detriment of Oman’s interests?
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About the author:
Bilal Hussain is a freelancer and writer based in Middle East. He was previously the sub-editor of the business section for Greater Kashmir and Kashmir Times. His principal interests are conflict economy, capital markets, the developmental sector, and ecological economics.
His Eminence Apostolic Nuncio to the Netherlands, Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, hosted a special educational, cultural and social event early this year at the Apostolic Nuntiature .
The educational part of the program was a magistral lecture on the meaning and historic traditions behind the Papal Bull of Indiction of Misericordiae Vultus, the “Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy,” by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Netherlands, Archbishop Aldo Cavalli. The Year of Mercy officially opened on December 8, 2015 and which concluded this year.
Archbishop Cavalli addressed the group of some fifty guests, who were invited for the occasion, in the beautiful chapel located on the grounds of the Apostolic Nunciature, for nearly one hour before accepting questions from his responsive audience.
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The video is a courtesy from: Vincenzo Toscani and the Italian Professionals Netherlands video production.
The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development of France, H.E. Mr Jean-Marc Ayrault, reaffirmed their resolve to work together to achieve a world free of chemical weapons during their recent discussions at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague.The Director-General praised France’s deep and abiding commitment to strengthening the verification capacity of the OPCW. Ambassador Üzümcü further expressed his thanks to Mr Ayrault for France’s contributions to the effort to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons programme and for France’s help in facilitating part of the recent international operation to remove, transport and verifiably destroy Libya’s remaining chemical weapons.“Lasting peace and security can only be attained through the united efforts of innovative minds and willing hands. Our dialogue today was infused with this spirit of cooperation and it was focused on our combined ambition to achieve a world permanently free of chemical weapons. I am grateful for France’s tireless efforts to support the international norm against the use of chemical weapons,” Ambassador Üzümcü stated.Mr Ayrault expressed, “France fully supports the work of the OPCW to rid the world of chemical weapons. The OPCW is the most relevant disarmament instrument in this field and helps securing our world. The recent decision adopted by its Executive Council to condemn the use of chemical weapons in Syria by the Government of Syria and Daesh, as proved by the OPCW-UN JIM’s reports, and to impose stringent verification measures to selected sites and facilities of concern in Syria is the most accurate example of the importance of the OPCW mission. We will keep working together in order to strengthen its role and make sure that such inhumane weapons cannot be used in the future”.Other topics discussed during the meeting included the OPCW’s increasing focus on countering the use of chemical weapons by non-State actors and a range of issues pertaining to the ongoing activities and future priorities of the Organisation.
Grand Chancellor John Critien – Picture by orderofmalta.int.
14 December 2016, Grand Magistry, Magistral Palace in Rome: His Most Eminent Highness Fra’ Matthew Festing, 79th Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, Most Humble Guardian of the Poor of Jesus Christ, appointed HE Fra’ John E. Critien, “Grand Chancellor” of the Order of Malta.
The Grand Chancellor is both, the Foreign and Interior Minister. Moreover he is the head of chancery and its related offices, responsible for relations vis-à-vis the national associations of the order. He is also the Order of Malta’s representative in dealings with third parties, and the implementation of the order’s policy and internal administration. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, he is in charge of all diplomatic missions of the Sovereign Order of Malta in the world (106 in total).
Fra’ Johan Critien is the first Maltese citizen to hold the position of Grand Chancellor in the order’s 903 years old history. He succeeded the German Baron Albrecht von Boeselager in the position.
The Order of Malta is diplomatically accredited to the European Union, HE Ambassador Yves Gazzo, and has national organisations in all three Benelux countries.
For further information:
Order of Malta: https://www.orderofmalta.int/2016/12/14/fra-john-edward-critien-appointed-grand-chancellor-sovereign-order-malta/
Don Segundo Sombra, Municipalidad de San Nicolas, Argentina.On the occasion of the Bicentennial of the Independence, the Embassy of Argentine together with the Hispanic Society of The Hague (ASOHA) organized a lecture covering 200 years of Argentine Literature focussing on the Gaucho figure. Ms Alejandra Szir.90 years after the publication of ‘Don Segundo Sombra’ by Ricardo Güiraldes in 1926. The Dutch poet and naval doctor, Jan Jakob Slauerhoff, became fascinated by the Gaucho figure on his visits to Argentina and translated the work into Dutch in 1930. This was the first translation ever. Now, 80 years after his death Alejandra Szir -holding a Degree in Dutch Studies from Leiden University- explained the importance of ‘Don Segundo Sombra’ and of Slauerhoff’s translation. Slauerhoff was also impressed by folklore music of the Argentine and in order to underline this, the Embassy invited Gustavo Hernández to play several pieces on the piano while Mariana Montaldo delighted the audience with some dances.Among the audience there were several Ambassadors -from Chile and Cuba- as well as representatives of other Latin-American countries and members of the Hispanic Society. Amaira Quiñones, H.E. Fermin Quiñones Sánchez, Ambassador of Cuba and H.E. Maria Teresa de Jesus Infante Caffi, Ambassador of Chile.
Pictured Saša Miličević, student of the Law Faculty of Banja Luka University and Hamza Ajanić, student at the 2nd Grammar School in Sarajevo.
This and last week, the Tribunal’s Outreach Programme awarded prizes to the winners of essay-writing competitions for high school and university students from the former Yugoslavia. Following the first two successful essay writing competitions held in 2013 and 2014 for high school students in BiH, the Outreach Programme launched a regional competition this year, extending it to university students, in order to engage with a wider audience of young people in the former Yugoslavia.
High school students in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia were asked to share their thoughts on the topic: “How important are war crimes trials for moving forward after times of conflict?”. University students were invited to submit their essays on the topic: “ICTY: War crimes trials as an important element in dealing with the past. A total of 133 young people from across the region sent their entries to the competitions this fall. The jury, composed of representatives from all relevant sections of the Tribunal, was impressed by the exceptional quality and diversity of the essays.”
At the award ceremony for the high school competition, the winner, Hamza Ajanić, student at the 2nd Grammar School in Sarajevo, noted that “We can show our maturity only if we make the first step in facing the past and, for that reason, I took part in the ICTY essay writing contest. It is my way of taking action and I hope that our essays will encourage other people to ask themselves what they can do to help normalise relations among people in the former Yugoslavia.”
The second place was awarded to Ajla Memić from the Medical School in Tuzla, BiH, and the third place went to Vivian Bister from the School of Economics and Trade in Čakovec, Croatia.
At the award ceremony for the university competition, the winner, Saša Miličević, student of the Law Faculty of Banja Luka University, said that “Writing this essay was an opportunity for me to further build my attitude towards the ICTY and its contribution to the proper articulation of the traumatic experiences of war… I wish there were more such programmes implemented in the countries of the former Yugoslavia, in particular in BiH, enabling law students to think and write about and discuss ICTY legacy.”
The second place was awarded to Stefan Jeremić from the Law Faculty of Belgrade University, and the third place went to his fellow student Petar Brudar.
The competition is part of the Tribunal’s youth outreach programme, which connects young people from the region with the Tribunal’s work.
As the ICTY nears its closure, the Outreach Programme is strengthening efforts to ensure that young people across the region have access to information and materials about the Tribunal’s work. These initiatives aim to increase understanding of the Tribunal’s legacy among young people and contribute to their long-term interest in transitional justice and post-conflict development.
The Outreach Programme benefits from the continuous support of the European Union and its work with young people is generously supported by the Finnish government.
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Photography by ICTY
Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands shall pay working visits from 7 to 10 February 2017 to the German Bundesländer of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thüringen.
Yearly the Royal Couple pays an economic visit to one or more German federal states. In the East they intend to bring particular attention to the historical, cultural and social ties with The Netherlands. Saxe-Anhalt will commemorate 500 years since the Reformation in 2017.
In Thüringen stopovers are planned in Erfurt as well as Eisenach, including a stay overnight at Wartburg Castle, formerly a seat of the Grand Ducal House of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, a dynasty closely related to the Oranje-Nassau.
The royals are accompanied by a trade mission in the sectors of high tech systems and materials, chemicals, and water.
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Picture by Wikipedia.
US American Consulate General Amsterdam Museumplein – Picture by Persian Dutch Network.8 November 2016, Amsterdam: US American Consul General David McCawley appeared on At5 Amsterdam, namely on a special series documenting Amsterdam’s famous streets and landmarks. On the run-up to the US presidential election, Consul General McCawley was interviewed on the history of the edifice, his work as general consul as well as the preparations that the general consulate undertakes in order to insure that US citizens can vote from Amsterdam for the election. The US Consulate General in Amsterdam is located on the city’s Museumplein no. 19. It supports the US American Embassy headquartered in The Hague in heeding for the needs of US citizens in Amsterdam, and its vicinities. Likewise it provides visa for tourists intending to visit the USA. The edifice on Museumplein 19 is US American property since 19 March 1948, albeit the US government had taken over the usage of the building since 1945 after the German Consulate General had been vacated.For more information:At5, streets of Amsterdam: https://www.at5.nl/gemist/tv/272/24993/-/4USA Consulate General in Amsterdam (Consul General David McCawley): http://amsterdam.usconsulate.gov
EU-wide fuel oil and precious metals VAT fraud and money laundering network dismantled
On 14 December 2016 judicial authorities and law enforcement from Spain dismantled a criminal organization whose modus operandi involved defrauding states on the VAT from oil and precious metals via a sophisticated carousel fraud scheme, and the money laundering of these gains through, various corporate structures, resulting in the loss of more than EUR 25 million in the hydrocarbon sector since 2015.
The dismantled group responsible was based in Spain and Portugal and used a complex corporate architecture including shell companies, missing traders, and companies functioning as alternative payment platforms for the laundering of the ill-gotten gains.
The investigation into the criminal activities started in Spain a year ago, targeting a criminal network operating in the sector of fuel oils. The criminal organization, by undercutting market prices with their untaxed oils, harmed commercial activities in the sector with such unfair competition that other operators not involved in the VAT fraud were compelled to get out of the business.
The operation in Spain was led by the Central Investigative Court n. 5 and the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the National High Court in Madrid. During the action day the specialized Unit of the Spanish Guardia Civil against Organized Crime (UCO) under the supervision of the judicial authorities, operated on the whole national territory. Additionally several officers of the Guardia Civil travelled to Italy and Portugal to be present during the execution of the requested measures in those Member States.
In total 20 persons were arrested in Spain and 25 searches were carried out simultaneously in Spain, Portugal and Italy. Two persons were arrested in Portugal and 13 bank accounts were frozen in Portugal and Slovenia. Funds already frozen in Slovenia amounted to almost EUR 91 000.The simultaneous actions were coordinated on the international level by Eurojust.
Mr Jimenez-Villarejo, National Member for Spain at Eurojust and Chair of the Coordination Centre, said;
“Organized VAT fraud represents a significant risk to the economy of the EU, and, as such, Eurojust will continue to do all it can to aid in the transnational coordination of the precautionary and investigative measures adopted by our national judicial authorities in order to defeat cross-border financial crime. With this Coordination Centre Eurojust supported our home authorities in overcoming the absence of an international consensus on VAT fraud, which has been identified as the most relevant bottleneck obstruction in these types of investigations.”
Figures at a glance
20 arrests and 21 house searches in Spain
2 arrests in Portugal
4 house searches abroad (3 in Italy and 1 in Portugal)
16 bank accounts frozen (14 in Portugal and 2 in Slovenia)
