IV.  POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT

 The Sultanate of Oman is a monarchy without a written
 constitution or political parties.  While maintaining the
 ruling family's long tradition of firm control over all
 important matters affecting the State, Sultan Qaboos bin Sa'id
 Al Sa'id has brought leaders from the various tribes into his
 government.  Much decision-making is consensual in accordance
 with longstanding tradition.  Since his accession in 1970,
 Qaboos has balanced tribal, regional, and ethnic interests in
 composing the national administration.  The Cabinet of
 Ministers is appointed by and responsible to the Sultan.  The
 Majlis Ash-Shura, or Consultative Council, was established in
 1991 and represents Qaboos's measured effort to broaden popular
 participation in government.  The Consultative Council's
 mandate is to review legislation pertaining to economic
 development and social services prior to their becoming law.
 It may summon Ministers to appear before the Majlis to discuss
 the Ministries' policies and plans.

 Oman is strategically located at the entrance to the Persian
 Gulf opposite Iran.  Oman is concerned with internal stability
 and security, given the tensions in the region, the proximity
 of Iran and Iraq, and the potential threat of political Islam.
 Oman has traditionally sought to fill a mediating role in
 regional disputes.  On January 1, 1994, the Sultanate began
 serving its two year membership on the United Nations Security
 Council.  In April 1994, it hosted a meeting of the
 Multilateral Working Group on Water Resources.  This meeting, a
 part of the Middle East Peace Process, brought the first
 official Israeli delegation ever to the Gulf Region.

 The United States and Oman have similar concerns in the region.
 Both countries share an interest in maintaining political
 stability in the area and keeping open and secure the Strait of
 Hormuz.  For its part, the United States supports the efforts
 of the Sultanate to increase popular participation in setting
 government policies and in serving as a moderating, stabilizing
 force in regional and international affairs.