Oman, USA renew military agreement

Oman Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Youssef Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah on Sunday announced that positive talks are currently being held between his country and the US in order to renew their military agreement.

AFP quoted the Omani minister as saying that talks between the two sides are proceeding positively, but gave no more details.

An agreement which avails the US forces to use Oman's ports and air bases in case a crisis erupts was signed in 1980. This agreement was renewed in 1990 for ten years and will expire by the end of the year 2000.

On Saturday, US Defense Secretary William Cohen started a tour which will last for 12 days, during which he will visit Nigeria, the Middle East and the Gulf Cooperation Council states.