Oman disses Gulf Unity

(December 10, 2013)

The Arab Gulf countries, led by Saudi Arabia, want to become more united. They want to be something like the European Union, a collective force with a stronger economy and a military force to be reckoned with. They already have a structure called the 'Gulf Cooperation Council', but I guess Saudi thinks the Council is mere child's play; they want to take it up a notch.

But Oman does not want to go along. So the BBC Arabic did a call-in show where Omanis vent how distrustful they are of Saudi Arabia, and Saudis try to convince everyone how pure their intentions are.

The moderator asked one of the Omanis: in the European Union, if you are a citizen of, say France, you can go to Poland and work with no problems. Don't you want the same? You, as an Omani, can move to any of the Gulf countries for a job without the hassle of visas and permits.

The Omani man answered: No, none of those Saudi companies are going to hire an Omani, anyways.

Then a Saudi guy chimed in: consider France and Germany. Both of them powerful countries who managed to start several world wars. And yet, they saw it in their self-interest to unite and cooperate. We should do the same, so we can be stronger.

Yet again, admiration for the west coming from Arabs!

An Iraqi man called in: Inshallah (God willing) one day there will be unity not just amongst the Gulf countries, but amongst all Arabs! I used to live in Oman, and the reason the Omanis are scared is because half the Omani population is actually Iranian! That's why they don't want to be united with the Gulf countries.

The moderator cut the Iraqi off quickly, saying, "sir, regarding the Iranians in Oman, I'm not sure where you're getting your information."