The President, Mrs McAleese, on the advice of the Government, has dropped plans to visit Israel and Palestine as part of her trip to the Middle East next month. She will, however, undertake the first Irish State visit to Oman.
The escalating security situation ruled out Israel/Palestine, thus avoiding a potential quagmire of diplomatic and protocol problems, mostly concerning flying restrictions between countries at war with each other. Instead, on her outward journey, the President will visit Irish troops, military police and observers serving with the UN in Kosovo and Bosnia.
The main purpose of the trip is to pay a State visit to the Gulf state of Oman, from whose ruler, Sultan Qaboos, she has had a longstanding invitation. The President and Dr McAleese depart Dublin on November 17th and will spend four nights in the Balkans visiting Pristina and Sarajevo. About 200 Irish military personnel are serving in the area.
Then it is on to Oman for four days. After that, there will be a visit to another Gulf state - a number of invitations are being considered and no decision has yet been taken. She will be away for 10 days in all.
The President will be accompanied on her trip by a Government minister, yet to be decided. In Bosnia and Kosovo, she will also be accompanied by army personnel, and in the Gulf by our ambassador, Conor Murphy, who is based in Riyadh.
Oman is a leading member of the Gulf Co-operation Council and about 200 Irish people live there, mostly in the capital, Muscat. One of the features of the trip will be Oman's interest in the Republic's experience of education, training, consultancy, construction and project management. Mrs McAleese will deliver a speech at the Sultan Qaboos University on Irish economic development.