Middle East Focus: New Gulf Hope for American Captives…….

Arabia Deserta

New Gulf Hope for American Captives…….

Walking on water

“An Omani delegation arrived in Iran on Sunday to help secure the release of two American hikers still held on espionage charges after their arrest last year, an Iranian newspaper reported Sunday. The newspaper, Jomhuri-e Islami, citing unnamed sources, stated that the delegation arrived in Tehran to mediate efforts for the release of Shane M. Bauer and Joshua F. Fattal, both 28, whom the article described as “spies.” Mr. Bauer’s fiancée, Sarah E. Shourd, was released this month with help from Omani officials. The three Americans were arrested in July 2009 while hiking in the mountains near Iran’s border. The newspaper said that Mr. Bauer and Mr. Fattal could return with the delegation to the Omani capital, Muscat, in a similar manner to what happened to Ms. Shourd after her release on Sept. 14. ……..”

Omanis (and maybe Qataris) are probably the only Middle easterners who can talk the Iranians into releasing the American captives. They have good relations with the USA and with Iran. They even have American military facilities on their territory. Yet, unlike Bahrain or Saudi Arabian media propaganda they do not seem to complain about Iranian subversion (maybe they have their own way of handling it?). Nor does little Qatar, which hosts the U.S. Central Command but enjoys good relations with Tehran . Interesting, needs more research. Nay, not more research, I know the reasons, but I'll do another blog posting. (I have to be very careful what I write about this, how I spin it. Hint: it involves old fish, in an olfactory sense).
Cheers
mhg

m.h.ghuloum@gmail.com