Expats on alert after Oman shooting

By Francis Field
Muscat, Oman

Peter Blackburn was shot outside the Al Khuwair Health Centre

The British expatriate community in Oman has been rocked by the news of another attack on a westerner in the oil-rich sultanate.

On Sunday afternoon Peter Blackburn, chief executive officer of Muscat Private Hospital, was severely wounded when he was shot in the neck.

"He is now in hospital and in a stable condition," said a British Foreign Office official.

As yet, no official explanation has been given for the shooting - the latest in a series of assaults on westerners in the country since November 2003.

The truth is we just don't know why he was shot Family friend Briton wounded in Oman shooting

A close friend of Mr Blackburn's wife Julie said he had been shot in his car while waiting for his son outside the Al Khuwair Health Centre in a suburb of Muscat.

She also said Mrs Blackburn had been advised by the authorities to keep the incident quiet, and that very little information had been given to the family.

"The theory is that he was shot by someone who had a vendetta against Muscat Private Hospital where he works," she said.

"But the truth is we just don't know why he was shot."

Stray bullet

In late October 2003, a European visitor was shot and severely injured in the Bowsher district of the city.

The Royal Oman Police said he was hit by a stray bullet from a hunting gun.

A similar bullet was used in the shooting of Mr Blackburn on Sunday.

Another two killings were blamed on the families of the victims.

Rebecca Thompson and her 14-year-old son Derrick were found guilty of organising the killing of Mark Thompson, an American oil worker, whose body was found burnt and partially disfigured at the beginning of the year.

A German national was also convicted in connection with the murder of a family member, who was shot in Muscat on 1 December, 2003.

Compound threats

Adding to concern among British workers in Oman and the United Arab Emirates was the recent revision of the Foreign Office terrorist threat level for Oman, which was raised to high after an al-Qaeda website called for attacks on foreigners in the Gulf states.

In June, the website threatened that attacks would be carried out on residential compounds, military bases and oil interests.

I am inclined to believe that these incidents are non-political, unless someone can come up with some proof which suggests otherwise British man

While some Western expatriates believe those behind the incidents were not politically-motivated, others are hesitant to accept the official explanations for the attacks released by the Omani authorities.

"I am inclined to believe that these incidents are non-political, unless someone can come up with some proof which suggests otherwise," said one British man living in Muscat.

Another British expatriate who works in the capital said: "It all seems rather suspicious.

"This is a small community, and the whole issue is surrounded by rumour and intrigue.

In situations like this it's hard to know what to believe because these things are always hushed up British man

"The local media do not dare touch the subject.

"Whatever they print, if anything, is the official line, and that is hardly ever trusted.

"In situations like this it's hard to know what to believe because these things are always hushed up."

An Embassy circular sent to British expatriates in Oman stated that the Royal Oman Police were investigating the latest shooting but did not give any extra details.