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Tuesday 15 February 2005, 19:27 Makka Time, 16:27 GMT

The Oman-US accord is likely to cause friction with Riyadh

Oman is to sign a free trade agreement with the United States in July in a move likely to irriatate Saudi Arabia.

Trade and Industry Minister Maqbul bin Ali said there would be negotiations with the US in March and April although the US Embassy in Muscat refused to confirm an agreement had been made on Tuesday.

The accord is likely to cause friction with Saudi Arabia, Oman's northern neighbour, which is opposed to fellow member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council making bilateral agreements with the United States.

The agreement will become effective in 2006 if it is approved by the US Congress, Bin Ali told a meeting of Omani business executives.

The minister added that a US delegation will visit Oman between 12-14 March to discuss the accord and an Omani delegation will hold talks in Washington on 18 April.

Last year Bahrain signed a free trade agreement with the US.

Saudi Arabia complained that such accords weakened the collective bargaining power of the Gulf Cooperation Council, a loose political and economic alliance that groups Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The Saudi government downgraded its representation at the GCC summit in December in a move widely seen as reflecting Saudi disapproval of Bahrain's pact with Washington.

A third member of the GCC, the United Arab Emirates is negotiating for a free trade accord with the US.

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Prince, how do you read this deal and the effect it may have on our relations in the region?

Qatar considers trade deal with US

Sunday 23 January 2005, 15:26 Makka Time, 12:26 GMT

Qatar and Bahrain are two GCC countries in talks with the US

Qatar is considering a free trade agreement with the US, a local newspaper has said.

The Qatari daily The Gulf Times on Sunday published an article indicating the two countries have held initial talks on the free trade pact, which could be signed this year.

Qatar's Minister of Economy and Commerce Shaikh Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Jassim Al Thani was quoted at a recent conference as saying the government considered a free trade agreement with the US vital.

"Yes, we are definitely considering a free trade agreement," he said at the Project Opportunities in Qatar conference.

The deal would also assist Qatar's economic integration into global markets, according to government sources.

"Both sides will benefit from the agreement and they will be long-term. On our side our exports will get tax relief and protection on the strength of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US," the sources said.

Saudi concerns

Qatar's neighbour Bahrain has also recently agreed on an FTA with the US, raising concerns among other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, especially Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has threatened to slap duties on Bahraini goods The move sparked a threat by Riyadh to slap customs duties on goods from Bahrain.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abd Allah bin Abd al-Aziz had also boycotted the recent GCC summit in Bahrain apparently in protest against the trade deals with the US.

The kingdom, a regional heavyweight, had accused its smaller Gulf neighbours of weakening GCC solidarity by forging separate economic and security agreements with foreign powers.

Other GCC members such as Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates plan to sign similar deals, which could further alienate Riyadh.

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Anyone with half a brain who cares ... and who's NOT in Congress or the press with an anti-Bush agenda ... can clearly see how much work is going on behind the scenes to fortify the cooperation with friendly Arab countries that's so vital to our security and the future of the free world, and Saudi Arabia looks to be losing its monopoly as our major ally in the region. Very very savvy.

It's not rocket science to see that W, Condi, Rummy and I'm sure Cheney are working around the clock on this area .. while constantly enduring the petty slings and arrows of the ignorant, tunnel-visioned, pathetic MSM.

It would be comical if it wasn't so sick .. that they're choosing to ignore the real news .. the news that matters .. that the grownups are making, while they wet their diapers and revel in their childish playground. That could very well be W and KR's strategy. God bless W and all of them and BTT!!