Tuesday, November 24, 2009

That Qaboos coup

""History records that it was a family affair, but documents reveal London's hidden hand. Offically, the architect of the coup was the Sultan's son, but in papers seen by the programme, Britain is seen to be calling the shots. Worried that the country's faltering regime could fall to communism and so threaten its vital oil interests, London decided to act. Formerly secret documents clearly show British civil servants and military leaders plotting regime change in Oman, by the use of force if necessary. They concealed their plans and only nowcan the real story be told." Asa sent me this and added: "Very interesting. There's a part where a radio interview from from the time asked Qabus how he managed to pull of the coup and his reply is "I have some friends and they helped me".." I still have not listened to it yet.