Word: omani
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...northern tip overlooks the preferred deep channel of the Strait of Hormuz, 40 miles wide at its narrowest, through which pass half of the world's oil tankers. Says a British major on contract duty with the Oman army: "One battery of artillery or missiles on the Omani side of the strait holds life or death power over the passage...
...paranoid tyrant who hoarded gold from oil revenues in the cellar of his ancient castle in Salalah because he believed paper currency was worthless. Under his medieval rule, slavery was sanctioned, and no one could travel abroad without his permission. It was against the law for an Omani to wear spectacles or ride a bicycle. In the whole country there were only two post offices, three miles of asphalt road, one 16-bed hospital and three primary schools. Air conditioning was unknown, even though the temperature frequently reaches 130° in summer...
...Cabinet room of his new $15 million royal palace on the Muscat waterfront, Sultan Qaboos bin Said sits on a throne emblazoned with the royal coat of arms, crossed swords held together by a khanjar, the distinctive dagger worn by Omani males. On his desk, along with several folders marked "top secret," is a copy of Jane's Fighting Ships. His headdress is purple silk; his robe is white and partially covered by a black cloak trimmed with gold. At his waist is a khanjar, the hilt marked with a design to be used only by the ruler...
...January 19, 1975, the Sunday Times of London reported that the Pentagon had asked Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman--a trusted friend and ally of the British and the Shah of Iran--for full rights at the British air base on the Omani island of Masirah, a request subsequently granted. For hundred miles south-east of the Straits of Hormuz, the entrance to the Gulf, Masirah sits right on the main sea lanes joining the Persian Gulf to the industrialized world--a perfect take off and refueling point only. Despite Congressional strictures against it the US has continued...
...Muscat for centuries designated the port and coastal areas of the country; Oman was the highlands. From the town of Muscat the Sultans ruled both, although Omani tribes seeking greater self-rule occasionally rebelled against them...