March 23rd, 2012 by Oman Views

Oman warns on military confrontation with Iran

MUSCAT (Reuters) – Oman, located strategically on the opposite side of the Strait of Hormuz from Iran, said the risk of military conflict between Tehran and the West was rising but there was still plenty of opportunity to negotiate peace.

Iran has repeatedly denied charges by Western nations it is developing the capability to build nuclear weapons, but the United States and European Union have recently imposed tougher sanctions in an effort to convince Tehran to curb its nuclear program.

“It is in the interest of both sides to come to the middle road,” Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, the sultanate’s minister responsible for foreign affairs, told Reuters at the Foreign Ministry in Muscat.

“We can see that the threat of an unfortunate flash of military confrontation is more possible rather than it is remote.”

Oman on several occasions has acted as an intermediary between Iran and the West.

Last year, Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said facilitated the release of two U.S. hikers held by Tehran for spying, and three French aid workers held hostage by Yemeni tribesmen were freed in November after Oman negotiated their release.

Speculation has grown in recent months that Israel, with or without U.S. support, may launch some form of pre-emptive military strike against Iranian nuclear installations, which the Jewish state sees as a threat to its existence.

Talks over its nuclear program have been on and off over the years, but last week Iran said it would welcome a new round of nuclear negotiations with six world powers.

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By Martina Fuchs | Reuters

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March 23rd, 2012 by Oman Views

More aid needed to avoid Palestinian cuts: IMF

The International Monetary Fund urged donor countries Saturday to honor their promises to the Palestinian Authority, whose economy is entering a “difficult phase” and could further deteriorate.

The Palestinian economy is experiencing a serious drop in liquid assets that has worsened since last year due to a reduction in aid from Western and Gulf countries, as well as trade and movement restrictions imposed by Israel, an IMF report said.

The report, prepared for a meeting of donor countries in Brussels next week, estimated a financing gap of about $500 million.

It said only $800 million of donor aid was disbursed to finance the 2011 recurrent budget, compared to $1 billion anticipated. And development budgetary aid stood at just $169 million, compared to a budgeted $500 million.

“These shortfalls, in addition to lower-than-expected tax revenue in the context of a slowdown in economic growth, led to the accumulation of $0.5 billion in domestic payment arrears to the private sector and to the public pension fund,” the report said.

It pointed to an increase in domestic bank borrowing by some $140 million, which raised government debt to the banking system to $1.1 billion, or 11 percent of GDP.

And while the 2012 draft budget plans to reduce the recurrent deficit by three percentage points of GDP, “there remains a substantial financing gap, projected at $0.5 billion,” the IMF warned.

“There is little scope to cover that gap through further arrears accumulation to the private sector or borrowing from commercial banks, given the existing large stock of debt to businesses and banks.”

It said there was a “high risk” that the gap would trigger cuts in wages, social transfers and other essential spending. The IMF called for “concerted efforts” from the Palestinian Authority, the Israeli government and donor countries to bridge the financing gap.

“It will be very difficult for the PA to cover the 2012 financing gap through austerity alone, without the prompt pledging and disbursement of additional aid,” the report added.

AFP

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March 23rd, 2012 by Oman Views

Bahrain to retry 20 medics in uprising case

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) – Twenty Bahraini medical professionals convicted on uprising-linked charges and sentenced to prison terms face retrial in civilian courts, a lawyer said Thursday.

Lawyer Jalila al-Sayed said a judge revoked last week’s decision to proceed with only five cases and refer the other 15 doctors and nurses to a medical disciplinary board. All were convicted of anti-state crimes during last year’s unrest.

Even so, Bahraini authorities insisted the prosecutors will pursue charges only against five of the 20 health professionals. The discrepancy could not immediately be clarified.

The 20 doctors and nurses treated wounded protesters during the Gulf kingdom’s uprising. Last year a special security court, set up during eight weeks of emergency rule in the Gulf kingdom, sentenced them to five to 15 years in prison.

That court has been disbanded. Al-Sayed said the judge did not mention dropping charges against 15 medics during Thursday’s proceedings in a civilian court.

The next hearing has been set for March 20. The case has drawn stiff criticism from human rights groups.

Also Thursday, clashes between security forces and opposition supporters flared across the tiny but strategically important Gulf island that is the home of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet.

Riot police fired tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets at protesters, who were marking the first anniversary of the deployment of a Saudi-led military force in Bahrain.

Some protesters threw firebombs at the riot police. There were no reports of injuries.

The troops from the Sunni-ruled neighboring states were sent to Bahrain to help the Sunni monarchy quell dissent among the island nation’s majority Shiites.

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