Shura president: Oman commited to be a modern state
Oman, Politics, 11/14/2003

Oman's news agency reported that "Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali al Qatabi, President of Majlis A'shura has said all Omanis will celebrate the 33rd National Day anniversary, proud of the great achievements the Sultanate has so far secured, thanks to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said's leadership."

Al Qatabi said in an interview with Oman News Agency (ONA) today said "the Sultanate succeeded to establish a modern state as a result of the security, stability and well founded national unity that prevailed in the country" according to the report, and that "the shura institution was part of this integrated structure of the modern state."

The ONA report said "Al Qatabi noted that the Sultanate for years had adopted realistic and informed planning for development which involved implementation of the Five-Year Development Plans designed to elevate the status of the Omani citizen as stipulated in the basic statute of the state promulgated in 1996. The President of the Majlis said the continuous development of the shura system and the enfranchising of all citizens irrespective of gender had to be viewed as part of this honouring of Sultanate's citizens."

The report quoted him saying "the elections of Majli A'shura's 5th term carried out on October 4th were free and fair and represented a turning point in the march of the Omani Shura under the patronage of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said... the formation of the Majlis in its 5th term would consolidate political participation in the Sultanate."

The report said "The President of Majlis A'shura said the 83 elected members of the Majlis represented all wilayats of the Sultanate and added that 50 members or 60% of the total membership were elected for the first time. Two women from Muscat Governorate succeeded in this elections. He said around 34% of the members possessed university and post graduate qualifications and 30% had Secondary School certificate or equivalent qualifications. He said 50% of the Majlis members' were trained and had experience in public administration and private businesses. The other 50% consists of sheikhs, dignitaries, law men, educationalists and engineers. He said the new Majlis which comprised old and new members with diverse qualifications and experience and who belong to different age groups represented the whole elements of the Omani society and would enliven the Majlis's debates."

The report added "The President of the Majlis said Royal Decree No. 74/2003 introduced three, radical changes in the Majlis system. The decree increased the term duration to four years instead of three allowed for renewal of membership for other similar periods, introduced the system of annual session which extends for eight months at least and expanded its prerogatives in the fields of revision of draft laws, development plans and the state general budget the government refers to the Majlis before adoption. Al Qatabi said the new developments would encourage the members to improve the Majlis performance. He said the role of the Majlis was to assist the government in all that concerns the Omani society and in light of that it was granted wide prerogatives."

Al Qatabi noted that "His Majesty the Sultan affirmed in his speech before the opening ceremony of the Council of Oman's third term, the role of Majlis A'shura and the State Council's members in developing the shura process. He said consolidation of the shura depended on three elements; continuous support from political leadership, cooperation between the government and the Majlis and active membership."

Al Qatabi said "the Sultanate had produced its unique model of shura system which effected a change in the field of citizens participation in political life. He said the Shura was introduced by His Majesty the Sultan from the beginning of the blessed renaissance and continued to retain its status as among the top priorities of the Omani development and political thought. He noted that His Majesty had said at his address before the Council of Oman that the shura would be built brick by brick on the basis of the realities of the Omani life and contemporary requirements," ONA reported.

Previous Stories:
  Sultan Qaboos speech before the third session of the council of Oman   (10/22/2003)
  Majlis A'Shura Elections   (10/15/2003)
  Two Omani woman elected to Shoura council   (10/6/2003)
  Oman speaks about judicial independence, reform of United Nations   (10/3/2003)

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