Political relations between Oman and Saudi Arabia

This file relates to relations between Oman and Saudi Arabia. It contains correspondence, press extracts and situation reports concerning:

• The visit of an Omani delegation to Saudi Arabia
• The rumours that an Imamate of Oman office has reopened in Dammam
• The possible visit of the Sultan of Oman Qaboos Bin Saeed Al Said to Saudi Arabia and Iran; his eventual decision to call off the visits and travel directly to London; and contacts between the Saudi administration and the Sultan 
• HMG’s efforts to remove itself from acting as a ‘middle-man’ between Saudi Arabia and Oman
• A letter from the Saudi Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ahmad Zaki Yamani to Petroleum Development (Oman) Limited accusing it of drilling in Saudi territory; the damage this caused to Saudi-Omani relations; HMG’s efforts to establish whether this is an officially sanctioned Saudi approach
• Reports from Shell and Qatar of Saudi troop movements in Dhofar and Rub' Al Khali
• The impact of the Saudi disposition towards Oman on its postponement of Arab League membership
• The suggestion of a settlement between the Sultan and the Imam of Oman Ghalib Bin Ali Al Hina'i; the Sultan’s offer of the right to return to Oman to Ghalib, with the title of Mufti, provided he renounce the Imamate and swear loyalty; and efforts to establish Ghalib’s response to this offer
• Headquarters British Forces Gulf’s (HQBFG) reports on military operations in Dhofar
• US concern over the state of Oman-Saudi Arabia relations
• The improvement of relations between Oman and Saudi Arabia, including recognition of Oman by the latter, a successful visit to Saudi Arabia by the Sultan, and the issuing of a joint statement by the Sultan and the Ruler of Saudi Arabia King Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud