Oman

There was a sharp decrease in subversive activity against Oman in 1987. Foreign sources and the opposition press, the prime sources of information for this kind of activity, carried very few reports. Oman continued to Arabize its defense forces in accordance with the Gulf Cooperation Council policy to replace all foreign soldiers in its members' armies. The recovery in oil prices has benefited Oman's economy by keeping its anticipated deficit below the original projections. The mollifying approach toward Iran clearly indicated the Omani perception that its security would be better protected by adopting a conciliatory tone toward Iran rather than through complete conformity with pro-Iraqi states such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Egypt's reinstatement within the Arab world, immediately following the November summit in Amman, did not basically alter the relations between it and Oman, but only lent them additional legitimacy. Oman and Britain maintained their long-standing relationship, mainly through coordination on regional security problems.