Several political parties are outraged that Queen Beatrix and Crown Prince Willem-Alexander’s visit to Oman will go ahead, despite an earlier announcement that it had been postponed after concerns were voiced in parliament.
The opposition Labour party denounced the decision as “unwise”, saying the distinction between a state visit and a private visit was artificial and unconvincing. The Queen may now unwittingly get embroiled in Oman’s internal affairs, the Labour party warned.
On Friday, Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal informed parliament that the Royal Family had accepted a private invitation by Omani Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said for a dinner Tuesday. Last Tuesday, however, the government information service had announced that a state visit had been postponed due to the political unrest in Oman.
Shared concerns
PVV leader Geert Wilders, who backs the government in parliament, described the decision as “very stupid”. The opposition Green Party spoke of a “messy and questionable” move, which could be seen as support for the sultan. The Green Party has requested an emergency debate with Foreign Minister Rosenthal and Prime Minister Mark Rutte this week.
The past week has seen several demonstrations against the authoritarian rule of sultan Qaboos. As a result, a number of parties had urged Prime Minister Rutte to postpone the state visit. Mr Rutte responded by saying that postponing the visit could be interpreted as taking sides in Oman’s internal affairs. Accepting the sultan’s invitation, he argued, would go some way to avoid such a view.
Unwise or "very wise"?
After extensively discussing the issue with the Queen, Mr Rutte said he had concluded it would be “very wise” to accept the personal invitation by the sultan. Whatever parliament thinks, he stressed, it can do nothing to change the decision, as it is a matter between him and the Queen.
(cl/ae)
© Radio Netherlands Worldwide
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It is just a business promotion trip! What the heck.
Who gives a crap what the "queen" does!
After being muzzled in her New Year's speech by Rutte for Geert's benefit, this lastest stand by Queen Beatrix is a straightforward gesture by Queen Beatrix of defiance,whatever other motives for the trip there are. Geert should learn to use the formal forms of Parliamentary language when voicing negative opinion of decisions beyond his control.He is acting more like a spoiled brat that a responsible paliamentarian.
"responsible paliamentarian"?....now who are these responsible paliamentarians again...
What are the motives behind such a visit? We can only speculate. But here's good rule of thumb: if something makes Geert Wilders upset, it's probably because it's a move toward peace and dialogue between cultures.
Nothing would damage him and his PVV more than the growth of secularism and democracy in the Middle East. In that, Wilders and the Islamic fundamentalists are allied.
Obviously Cobber you are not gay...in this Oman world of enlightenment and love, the queen has made her "own decision" to go to a country where they would put me to death for being me.....thanks Cobber for your insight. Im so glad your understanding of Oman is so great...BTW, how many times have you been there? This is about money, plan and simple, Im surprised they don't stop in Libya for tea....maybe they plan on building another house there. She just is showing her real colors and its not orange.
alanposting, you got it a bit wrong. You will not be put to death for being you. I am in Oman. And, I know this country pretty well and do have many friends with their own preference's, and no one gives a damn. My closest friend here is gay, and he is perfectly happy here. He is european. As for the queen not showing her real colours, at least she is not flaunting the colours of a bunch of nutters in parliament!
"friends with their own preference's"...what on earth does that mean?...and when did you choose your "preferences"? Look up preference and see you have no idea...and if your preference gay friends live in Oman, they also have no clue.
alanposting this thread was about the queens visit and the reaction in the Netherlands. It has not about sexual preference's of individuals. And once again I say, you have got it all buggered in your head that you will be put to death in Oman if found out that you are gay! The queen was here, and it has all gone well. That is all that matters!
alanposting, you got it a bit wrong. You will not be put to death for being you. I am in Oman. And, I know this country pretty well and do have many friends with their own preference's, and no one gives a damn. My closest friend here is gay, and he is perfectly happy here. He is european. As for the queen not showing her real colours, at least she is not flaunting the colours of a bunch of nutters in parliament!
Wise or unwise ? They should listen to Geert Wilders, who understands that when you deal with anyone like "authoritarian" ruler Sultan Qaboos you think objectively. Maybe Holland should get rid of it's hypertolerant mindset; maybe it's already happening as a matter of fact. They are discovering there's a "price for being nice " . You can bet the old Sultan has ssome ulterior motive for inviting her. "Wilders and his coyotes" ? Don't knock it-coyotes have good noses- they can smell anything wrong. Actually, what Wilders is is a fox --BE GRATEFUL-he loves his country very much .We wish we had him over here.
Exactly Muscatbea! The Sohar event without a doubt has been instigated by foreign nationals with vested interest.
Without a doubt, Oman is a perfect model of peace in the region. I have always felt, that if there is one country that can play a role in bridging the gap that is widening in the west(between the arab world and the west), it is Oman.
Lewis, you mentioned Oman may not be ultra-repressive like SA or Yemen and put Scandinavia on the good side of the spectrum. I live in Sweden and work in Oman. Scandinavian countries are 'Nanny' states. The only real practicing democracy in the world probably is India. You can even pee on the road and that is your right! But, look where it got them!!!
"...political rights remain close to zero."
"No free press, no free speech, no freedom of assembly, no freedom of religion. Oman may not be ultra-repressive Saudi Arabia, or Wild West Yemen - but it's not Scandinavia either..."
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MC02Ak01.html
Well said Cobber, Yes there were a handful of troublemakers at the first protest in Sohar with casualties and damage to property (instigated by Foreign Nationals) but it was NEVER aimed at H.M, as Cobber stated above, it was for better living conditions. No one seems to be airing the HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of people protesting to show their support & love for H.M. My plane touched down in Oman in 1973, there was not even an airport!!! there was practically nothing here, NOW, we have a BEAUTIFUL peaceful country,with an abundance of schools,colleges,hospitals, equal rights for women etc etc. H.M has transformed his country and the people know that. There is no comparisson with Libya, Egypt etc. We have been stereotyped by the Media,to pull in their viewers and make more money. Don't believe me, then come & see for yourself!!
It will serve all well, if the dutch politician first understand the ground situation in Oman, instead of trying to get political millage out of this.
'The past week has seen several demonstrations against the authoritarian rule of sultan Qaboos'. This is absolutely untrue. The protest in Oman has nothing common with what we have seen in Egypt, Tunisa, Libya or Bahrain. All the protesters want, is that unemployment levels be brought down, corruption in some of the ministries be addressed and some form of justice be served, and a raise in basic wages. There has never been any protest even mentioning the removal of Sultan Qaboos. He is probably the most love leader in the region.
The queen's visit to Oman will send a clear signal to the rest of the world, that not everyone has the brain of people in the likes of Wilders and his coyotes. Well done on the Royal family for making their own decisions.
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