Top Israeli diplomat holds secret talks in Oman

Haaretz ^ | Nov 24, 2009

[rdl6989]

Foreign Ministry director-general Yossi Gal has held secret state-level meetings in Oman's capital Muscat, a senior official in Jerusalem told Haaretz. Diplomatic relations between Israel and Oman were cut off in 2000 at the start of the second intifada.

The official said that Gal had left for Muscat with the ministry's deputy director for Middle East affairs, Yaakov Hadas, and other high-ranking officials.

The Israeli delegation left on Sunday and will return Tuesday.

The formal reason for the visit was participation in the annual conference of the Middle East Desalination Research Center, in which Israel is a member. However, Gal and his colleagues also held talks with Omani officials, reportedly meeting Oman's foreign minister, Yusuf Bin Alawi.

Israeli efforts

The source said Gal brought up Israel's efforts to renew negotiations with the Palestinian Authority and its willingness to take steps on settlement construction and improving the Palestinians' lives in the West Bank.

[rdl6989]

Israel ping.

[grey_whiskers]

Well I guess it's not much a secret any more NOW, is it??

(Countdown to attack on Iran in 5...4...3...??)

Load up on gasoline, it might be a nasty month or two if there is such an attack...

[SunkenCiv]

Diplomatic relations between Israel and Oman were cut off in 2000 at the start of the second intifada.

Foreign mercs at least used to find a lot of work in the various despotates of Arabia, and not least in Oman. The uptick in Iranian-sponsored Shiite terrorism probably gave 'em the jitters, and they know they'll need Israel's unique expertise. Thanks rdl6989.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Oman becoming a forward base for Israeli attack?
Would Iraqi Kurdistan also volunteer for such a role even without U.S. approval?

[unkus]

At least, our side is going to be better prepared than the idiots who have no real clue to what’s happening in the world or even their own lives. It’s just a matter of time before the world as we know it changes very dramatically.

[AmericanInTokyo]

The deadline may well be by or around New Years Eve this year--for Tehran to ""s or get off the pot, that has been stated in a number of open sources. Now wouldn THAT be some fireworks. Of course, the "talks" collapsed just yesterday sponsored by U.N.

We will know soon enough when US businesses or embassies in that region start a quiet drawdown of staff, without explanation.

Then, when Israel pops the cork, we will ALL be going "O-MAAAN!!?"

[AmericanInTokyo]

Interesting proposition.

One also wonders about the dagger pointed at the underbelly of the Islamic Republic, that being Qatar. But seems like no shortage of fifth column Shiite in that place as well, only all to willing to do Tehran's bidding when the crap hits the fan. Will be worth watching. Better extend your subscriptions to online, live Middle East TV over the next few months, folks.

And yes, buy a bicycle and get in shape (or get in shape and buy a bicycle) by all means.

[TigerLikesRooster]

I think I will try to buy a mule and ride a steam locomotive. Paddle boat ferry across Han River would be a booming business, too.:-)

[AmericanInTokyo]

JOHN BOLTON prediction (August)

[cookcounty]

Oman is geographically the perfect and preferred launchpoint for any..uh...foray... into Iran.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Yes, time is ticking. I will be watching it carefully until the end of this year and beyond.

[April Lexington]

So.... like, how does this work? THey sneak off to a coffee shop and sit in the back or what? How does one conduct “secret” meetings in Oman when a Jewish diplomat and an Arab sit down and talk? Maybe they stood? But, how does a Jewish dilopmat sneak around Oman?

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

That is what I was thinking. I am thinking that they are laying the groundwork for the strike so they are looking for potential allies.

[American Constitutionalist]

Interesting times we live in now.

[rdl6989]

Yes, very interesting.

[rdl6989]

Yes, time is ticking. I will be watching it carefully until the end of this year and beyond.

Agreed.

[bustinchops]

“Would Iraqi Kurdistan also volunteer for such a role even without U.S. approval?”

Oh, man, I’d love it if they did!! Take THAT, zero, you gutless pigstained coward!

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

[hennie pennie]

This type of prediction, i.e., that NOW Israel is really ready to attack Iran has been occurring approximately every 3 weeks for approximately six years. Should I really start reading all the recent articles posted to FR about Israel/Iran, because This.Time, it's for real?

Do you really believe that early next year is the crucial time period for the Iran nuclear issue to be finally resolved?