Oman: Security AssistanceBureau of Political-Military Affairs
Washington, DC
July 16, 2008
Background: The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said al-Said overthrew the restrictive rule of his father; he has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. (Source: CIA—The World Factbook)
Security Assistance Funding: (Source: 2009 Congressional Budget Justifications for Foreign Operations)
($ in thousands)
Account
|
FY 2007
|
FY2007
|
FY 2008
|
FY 2008
|
FY2009 |
|
|
Actual
|
Supp
|
Estimate
|
Supp
|
Request |
FMF
|
13,494
|
--
|
4,712
|
--
|
12,000 |
IMET
|
1,111
|
--
|
1,428
|
--
|
1,450 |
NADR
|
1,284
|
--
|
2,089
|
--
|
950 |
Direct Commercial Sales: (Source: 2007 Section 655 Report)
In FY 2007, the Department of State authorized the export of defense articles and services valued at $34,841,331.
| 
