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Whatever will be · Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 303

Today's news:
http://www.timesofoman.com/News/36355/Article-His-Majesty-Sultan-Qaboos-bin-Said-to-visit-Germany-for-vacation-and-medical-examinations-says-ONA

1.) There have been persistent rumors that Sultan Qaboos is very sick Diabetes). Given his advanced age, poor health and lack of an heir/ son, what will happen in Oman in the case of his demise?

2.) Will there be civil unrest in Oman like there was in 2011 during the Arab Spring?

3.) What would be the fastest, easiest and safest way to get out of the country (preferably with all my money)? Any ideas for an evacuation plan?

4.) Just out of curiosity: why does the Sultan have medical check ups in Germany of all the places?

Sleepwalker · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 454 Location: Reading the screen

1. He has left instructions but I'm sure it was decided years ago.

2. Doubtful - the army here is very strong.

3. Over the border to the UAE by car.

4. He was stationed in Germany when he was in the British Army.

Whatever will be · Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 303

Thanks Sleepwalker!

So the various tribes will not ignore his instructions and fight for control of the government/ power/ resources?

Seems like it got a bit out of hand in 2011 with Lulu hypermarket being burned down, etc. Why didn't the Army stop that?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Omani_protests

Based on the 2011 report, any Omani Rial would lose in value. Means I have to get all my money out and changed into another currency.

Any other precautions that I could take to stay safe?

omanoman · Joined: 11 Jun 2014 Posts: 140

is this some kind of wind up?

Whatever will be · Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 303

Omanoman
I'm just checking the international press to get more information, apparently he owns a place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen/ near Munich.

From what I understand by living in this country and from today's newspaper reports the Sultan is near death.

If that happens while I'm in Oman, I want to get out safely with _all_ my hard earned money.

If that happens while I'm back home during the upcoming summer break, I want to make sure I can get my belongings and my holiday money, which is due upon my return.

Given the current situation (old age, poor health, medical visit) and Oman's 2011 history of civil unrest, naturally I am nervous about the future of living in Oman.

I am not interested in getting caught up in any dangerous situations, losing my money or finding myself suddenly unemployed because the ruler of the country died and every tribe is fighting to gain power.

MuscatGary · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:11 am Post subject:

I first heard a rumour HM being in a German hospital about 2 months ago. The ToM now seems to be cnfirming it. He has been a major stabilising influence, not just in Oman but in the wider ME and especially as a go-between for Iran and the USA.

I'm pretty sure that his ongoing ill-health accounts for a lot of what is happening here and has happened over the past year as different factions are jockeying for position.

omanoman is once again adopting the ostrich position.

MuscatGary · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:15 am Post subject:

Tazz · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 512 Location: Jakarta

Looks to me like some posters here are going a little stir crazy in the sultanate and are desperately in need of some vacation! He isn't 'near death'-well, not according to 'The Times of Oman'-merely paying a visit to Germany and having a medical check....... Confused

Whatever will be · Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 303

Tazz
Everybody knows that the local press is censored and only reports positively. Don't expect to find the full truth, only a gilded version of it.

Here are some facts:
His Highness participated in the Eid Al Adha Prayers in 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xicfiYFhUk

Last year, he was too sick to publicly perform the end of Ramadan prayers.

This year, he's in Germany for medical tests.

Clearly, a significant decline in his health, which is documented in the media.

MuscatGarry:

Your assessment of the situation is spot on.

That's why I'm worried about my safety, my employment and my money.

omanoman · Joined: 11 Jun 2014 Posts: 140

MG and Whatever,

You two need to get together and compare notes on the ongoing conspiracies, socio-economic and geo-political status of this country and hash out a solution. Clearly, you are 'spot on' in any and all of your assessments and would be well suited to steering us all out of the impending doom and disaster that awaits us.

When you look back at any major upheaval in history, it all started with the check out clerks. fact.

http://wikipedia/gavrilo_princip_was_a_checkout_clerk.com

Tazz · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 512 Location: Jakarta

Point taken about the lack of freedom/ truth in the Omani media.....I'm concerned about this money situation-going to clear out my account next couple days b4 vacation....don't quite get the point about the low rate of exchange for the British pound-I thought the exchange rate was fixed? Sad

Whatever will be · Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 303

Omanoman

Server not found.

Educate yourself:

One protester killed by security forces in Omani town of Sohar
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/27/middle-east-protests-oman-bahrain

Congressional Research Services - Oman: Reform Security and U.S.Policy
Kenneth Katzman, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs, December 2013
http://fas.org/sgp/crs/mideast/RS21534.pdf

At least two people have been killed in an industrial town in Oman, after police fired rubber bullets on anti-government protesters.
http://earlywarn.blogspot.com/2011/02/unrest-in-oman.html

Country risk assessment - Oman
Like many countries in the region, Oman witnessed unprecedented protests in 2011 and 2012.
http://www.delcredereducroire.be/newsletter/en/cra/2013/cra-oman-december2013

http://www.worldissues360.com/index.php/middle-east-unrest-hits-oman-7550/
Six people are reported dead as protesters rushed to the neighboring police station to set it on fire where police are said to have fired in retaliation with rubber bullets and tear gas.

This was just 3 years ago. And yes, the Sultan was still alive back then.
You really think all of Oman will be peaceful when he dies?

nicole2010 · Joined: 24 Jan 2010 Posts: 25

Wishing HM Sultan Qaboos all the best. He has done so much for the country.

omanoman · Joined: 11 Jun 2014 Posts: 140

did you really click on that as if it was a real link? gavril princip was a check out clerk ?

and, yes, I believe Oman will remain peaceful after HM and won't immediately disintegrate into chaos and rioting.

for heaven's sake

Sleepwalker · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 454 Location: Reading the screen

I take my information from my Omani colleagues. They say that the leader of Abu Dhabi is the one who is sick (although that has been officially debunked). Sultan Qaboos is 73 so can expect a few problems especially with diabetes.

As for the leadership, have a look at this:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/gulf/oman-leaders.htm

The man modernised a country and I'm sure he has the succession planned and organised.