the middle east in the 21st century

W O R L D L E A D E R S S Y M P O S I U MM I D D L E E A S T I N T H E 2 1 S T C E N T U R Y • M A R C H 2 0 A P R I L 3 , 2 0 0 9

a W o r l d l E a d E r s s y m p o s i u m Aboard the Silver Wind • March 19–April 3, 2009Featuring James A. Baker, III, former U.S. Secretary of State

theMiddlEast in the 21st Century


insighteach World leaders Symposium is designed to provide genuine insight into complex and deeply rooted global issues. That awareness and understanding comes from interactions with travelers from america’s leading academic, cultural, and research institutions; while exploring important context and on-the-ground realities with locals; and from personal insights revealed during off-the-record conversations with experts and scholars.

Introducing the 2009 World lEadErs symposium in thE middlE East

The World Leaders Symposium series—now in its fourth year— blends pressing global issues, intellectually stimulating content, compelling special guests, and spectacular destinations to produce a one-of-a-kind educational travel experience.


W o r l d l E a d E r s s y m p o s i u mExplore the places where history was made, in the company of the people who made it.

access This exclusive experience affords the highest levels of luxury and access. Highlights in 2009 will include meetings with prominent guests and dignitaries; elegant evenings in Dubai and muscat; a traditional middle eastern meal in a tented setting; special access to oil and media centers; and excursions to view iconic mosques and explore fabled souks and the Dilmun archaeological site in Bahrain.

Experts a highlight of World leaders Symposium programs is the powerful and unforgettable contribution of speakers and special guests, such as george H.W. Bush and William Perry in 2008, madeleine albright in 2007, and mikhail gorbachev and lech Walesa in 2006. in 2009, join former U.S. Secretary of State James a. Baker, iii and an impressive team of experts, historians, and scholars for an in-depth exploration of the middle east in the twenty-first century.

} Burj Dubai Cover: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman

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W o r l d l E a d E r s s y m p o s i u mExplore the places where history was made, in the company of the people who made it.

James A. Baker, III has served three U.S. presidents in a number of top U.S. government positions, including White House Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Treasury under Ronald Reagan, and Secretary of State under George H.W. Bush. During his tenure,

Baker devoted much of his time to Middle East issues. A longtime White House advisor on policy in the Gulf region, he recently served as co-chair of the Iraq Study Group, a bipartisan congressional panel convened to assess the situation in Iraq and provide recommendations for U.S. policy vis-à-vis Iraq. In 2006, the group published its findings in a report called The Iraq Study Group Report: The Way Forward—A New Approach.

Prior to his role with the Iraq Study Group, Baker was appointed special presidential envoy for President George W. Bush on the issue of Iraqi debt. In this capacity, he traveled to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia to discuss options for the reduction of Iraq’s official debt.

The recipient of numerous awards for public service, Baker was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1991. He has also been honored with Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson Award, the American Institute for Public Service’s Jefferson Award, Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Award, and the Department of State’s Distinguished Service Award. Baker graduated from

Princeton University in 1952 and received a JD with honors from the University of Texas School of Law at Austin in 1957.

Author of The Politics of Diplomacy: Revolution, War and Peace, 1989–1992 (1995) and Work Hard, Study…and Keep Out of Politics! Adventures and Lessons from an Unexpected Public Life (2006), Baker has advised notable investment firm The Carlyle Group and is now senior partner in the law firm of Baker Botts. He is the founding chair of the James A. Baker, III Institute of Public Policy at Rice University and serves on the board of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Baker and his wife, Susan, will join the Symposium from March 21 to March 26.

James A. Baker, III

} Saudi Arabia’s late King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz and Baker

2009 Keynote Speaker

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to ExpEriEncE thE World lEadErs symposium, call (800) 395-3288 or Visit WWW.hcptraVEl.com.

William J . Perry served as the U.S. Secretary of Defense from 1994 to 1997. He focused on managing the deadly nuclear legacy of the cold War and on the complex issues of a post-gulf War middle east—a region whose security he considered vital to U.S. interests. Perry’s efforts included mobilizing U.S. forces to contain iraq when it threatened Kuwait; securing important oil-shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz; cultivating regional allies through the gulf cooperation council; and developing a strong U.S. defense presence in the gulf. after leaving the Pentagon, Perry became a professor at the Freeman Spogli institute for international Studies and the School of engineering at Stanford University and co-director of the Preventive Defense Project at the Stanford University center for international Security and arms control. in 2006, he joined James a. Baker, iii on the iraq Study group, a group formed to give advice on the U.S. government’s iraq policy.

Featured Speakers

Larry Diamond is a professor, lecturer, advisor, and author on democracy, foreign policy, and economic aid. in early 2004, he was a senior advisor on governance to the coalition Provisional authority in iraq. Since then he has written and lectured on U.S. policy in iraq and the challenges of postconflict resolution. Diamond presently serves as a professor of sociology and political science at Stanford University and as a senior fellow at the Hoover institution, where he coordinates the iran Democracy Project with professors abbas milani and michael mcFaul. He is co-editor of the Journal of Democracy and author of The Spirit of Democracy: The Struggle to Build Free Societies throughout the World.

Bernard Haykel, professor of near eastern Studies at Princeton University, specializes in the history and politics of the middle east. His main research focuses on islamic political movements, islamic law, and the history of Saudi arabia and Yemen. Haykel has recently completed a book on the religious politics of Saudi arabia since the early 1950s. at Princeton, he directs the institute for Transregional Study of the contemporary middle east, north africa, and central asia, as well as the oil, energy, and the middle east Project of the Princeton environmental institute. in addition, he advises the British and U.S. governments on islamic and middle eastern affairs and has been involved in a number of key court cases relating to terrorism since 9/11.

Featured Speakers

Dennis Ross, former Special middle east coordinator, has played a leading role in shaping U.S. policy in the middle east peace process for more than two decades. a scholar, diplomat, and author, ambassador Ross served under both the george H.W. Bush and Bill clinton administrations. His diplomatic efforts assisted israelis and Palestinians to reach the 1995 interim agreement; he also brokered the 1997 Hebron accord and the 1994 israel-Jordan peace treaty. The author of The Missing Peace: The Inside Story of the Fight for Middle East Peace and Statecraft, And How to Restore America’s Standing in the World, Ross is currently a counselor and a Ziegler Distinguished Fellow at the Washington institute for near east Policy.

John Edwin Mroz is president and founder of the eastWest institute, an independent international think and do tank. mroz built eWi into one of the world’s preeminent non-governmental change agent institutions. He has served as an advisor to more than twenty governments and received numerous international awards for his work, including germany’s highest award to a non-citizen in recognition of the role he and eWi played in facilitating german reunification. The author of a landmark book on the arab-israeli conflict, Beyond Security: Private Perceptions Among Arabs and Israelis, mroz currently serves on the council on Foreign Relations.

* Please note that speakers will be joining us for varying lengths of time during the program. Featured speakers, while confirmed at the time of printing, are subject to change.

Elizabeth Symons The Rt. Hon. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean is a senior labour member of the U.K. House of lords and a business leader. a minister in the U.K. government from 1997 to 2005, Symons held the positions of minister for the middle east, minister for international Trade, and minister for Defence Procurement. She was the first female defense minister in the U.K.’s history and also served as the prime minister’s envoy to the gulf, playing a key diplomatic role between the U.K. and middle eastern nations. She currently chairs the U.K. Parliament’s all-party group on Qatar, the Saudi-British Joint Business council, and the British egyptian Society. Baroness Symons is also a non-executive director of British airways.

the Middl East in the 21st CenturyMarch 19–Apri l 3 , 2009 } Aboard the Si lver Wind

Dear Traveler, embark on a historic journey to the United arab emirates (Uae), Saudi arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and oman in the spring of 2009. Discover a modern arabia that differs markedly from Western perceptions—an arabia of glittering cityscapes and vast deserts, where ancient traditions and a rapidly changing culture coexist in a region impacted by oil, islam, and global geopolitical currents.

This historic cruise symposium features the participation of James a. Baker, iii, co-chair of the iraq Study group and former U.S. Secretary of State; William J. Perry, former U.S. Secretary of Defense; Dennis B. Ross, former Special middle east coordinator; and a host of additional study leaders and prominent local guest speakers. Together they will provide insight and perspective on the modern history and politics of this region.

aboard the privately chartered Silver Wind, cruise the scenic coastline of the gulf and enjoy the amenities and fine service of one of the highest-rated luxury ships afloat. Through exclusive regional connections, experience special access to key sites and meetings with local dignitaries.

This voyage offers a rare opportunity to see and understand this vital region. We hope you can join us. Sincerely,

Don Kendall Founder of World leaders Programs High country Passage

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march 13–19 Pre-Symposium extension: iran april 3–7 Post-Symposium extension: israel

Date It inerar y

march 19 Depart U.S.march 20 arrive Dubai (Uae)

(4 nights at the Jumeirah Resort)march 21 Dubaimarch 22 Dubaimarch 23 Dubai

(day trip to Riyadh, Saudi arabia)march 24 Dubai (embark Silver Wind)march 25 Dammam, Saudi arabiamarch 26 Bahrainmarch 27 at Seamarch 28 Kuwaitmarch 29 at Seamarch 30 Qatarmarch 31 Dubai (Disembark) / muscatapril 1 muscat, omanapril 2 muscatapril 3 Depart for U.S.

Lecture Program

w The Israeli-Palestinian Peace Processw The First Gulf Warw U.S. Foreign Policy and Strategic Interests in the Middle Eastw Democracy in the Middle Eastw The Role of Oilw Dubai’s Gamble

w The Current Situation in Iraqw Islamic Extremism and the War on Terrorw Women’s Rightsw Media and Public Opinion in the Middle Eastw History, Culture, and Religion w Understanding Islam

Each World Leaders Symposium features a series of special lectures, panel discussions, and opportunities for informal dialogue on a wide range of pressing global issues and current events. Working with guest lecturers and in-country contacts, we will continue to develop an extensive and compelling lecture series—a truly one-of-a-kind educational experience—until the date of departure. The general topics featured on this program currently include:

the Middl East in the 21st CenturyMarch 19–Apri l 3 , 2009 } Aboard the Si lver Wind

Symposium participants will choose from an extensive list of excursion options prior to departure. Program itinerary and excursions are subject to change.

Optional Extens ions }

Destinations

} Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Dubai (UAE)Dubai is one of the seven arab states that comprise the United arab emirates, and the name of that emirate’s primary city. it is the second-largest and the most populous of the emirates and one of only two (the other being the capital, abu Dhabi) with veto power over issues important to the Uae.

initially dependent on oil and natural gas revenues, Dubai has taken steps toward economic diversification, recognizing that its oil reserves are estimated to be totally depleted by as early as 2010. moving into a service- and tourism-based economy has led to a remarkable construction boom and thrust the emirate onto the cutting edge of architectural creativity. The iconic Burj al arab currently holds the title of “world’s tallest hotel,” and projects such as Hydropolis, the world’s first underwater

hotel, and the Palm islands Project, a complex of man-made islands that resembles an enormous date palm when seen from the air, continue to keep Dubai at the forefront of over-the-top architectural vision.The emirate is also the second-largest exporter of gold in the world.

Optional Excursions:

w Healthcare City an astonishing magnet for medical tourism

w Ski Dubai indoor skiing under the desert sun

w Palm Jumeirah an engineering feat of startling dimensions

w Sharjah Wildlife Park a safe haven for the near-extinct Arabian oryx

w Al-Fahidi Fort a historic museum set in a true Dubai “antique”

w Gold Souk a dazzling marketplace reached via Dubai Creek

Saudi Arabia The Kingdom of Saudi arabia is by far the largest country on the arabian Peninsula. With one foot firmly rooted in its islamic foundations and the other planted on some of the world’s richest petroleum reserves, Saudi arabia is a major player on the global political, economic, and social stage.

The history of the arabian Peninsula is an ancient one, but the emergence of the Saudi dynasty in central arabia is only as old as the mid-18th century. germinated in an alliance between a muslim ruler, muhammad bin Saud, and a cleric, muhammad ibn abd-al-Wahhab, this new political entity blossomed into the Saudi arabian dynasty whose fortunes rose and fell over the next 150 years. in the early 20th century a young member of the Saud family, abdul aziz ibn Saud, added more territory to the dynasty, and more titles to his name, and in 1932 the Kingdom of Saudi arabia was formed.

not until the discovery of vast oil reserves in 1938, however, did Saudi arabia achieve the international stature and leverage that the country enjoys today.


Bahrain Bahrain, the only island state in the arab world, floats in gulf waters between Saudi arabia (to which it is tethered by the King Fahd causeway) and Qatar. Bahrain’s history is uniquely linked to the ancient Dilmun civilization, a powerful trading empire that arose in the 3rd millennium B.c. and lasted for more than 2,000 years. With its fertile land, fresh water, and important strategic location, Bahrain was a place of interest to the Sumerians, greeks, Persians, Portuguese, Turks, Wahhabis, omanis, and lastly the British, who made it a protectorate in 1861 and held it as such until 1971, when it became an independent state. Bahrain’s economic history, like that of the other gulf States, can be divided into two eras: pearl diving and oil drilling. The collapse of the pearl industry in Bahrain in the early 1930s occurred nearly simultaneously with the drilling of the first successful oil well in the middle east by Standard oil company of california (Socal). From a hilltop in Bahrain, a young Socal engineer spotted, across 20 miles of water, a geologic formation in the Kingdom of Saudi arabia that he instinctively recognized as likely to be oil-bearing. The rest is history.

Today, Bahrain is the fastest-growing economy in arabia and the fastest-growing financial center in the world.


} Souk, Oman

w National Museum the heart of the King Abdul Aziz Historical Center in Riyadh

w Saudi Aramco Residential Camp a Western compound in Middle East sands

w Damman Well No. 7 birthplace of the “oil era” and modern Arabia

w Al Fateh Mosque where people of all faiths are welcome

w National Museum housing ancient burial mounds and a Gilgamesh tableau

w Qa’alat al-Bahrain an archaeological tell of the ancient Dilmun

w Bait al Qur’an Museum a center dedicated to promoting a wider understanding of Islam

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w Camel racing “ships of the desert” at top speed

w National Museum rising anew from the rubble of the First Gulf War

Kuwait Kuwait (“castle” or “fortress built near water” in arabic) is a constitutional monarchy located on the western shore of the Persian (arabian) gulf. The fourth-richest country in the world, Kuwait has astonishingly large oil reserves for its size.

These vast reserves have proven to be both a blessing and a curse: on the positive side, oil production provides 95 percent of exports and 80 percent of government revenues (Kuwait is a tax-free economy); less happily, following the 1990–91 gulf War, retreating iraqi forces set nearly 600 Kuwaiti wells ablaze, resulting in an economic, environmental, and public health disaster. it took several years and billions in U.S. aid to rebuild the country’s infrastructure. Kuwait is headed by an emir, or sheikh, and has the oldest directly elected parliament among the gulf countries. in 2005 Kuwait became only the third arab monarchy to elect a woman to a cabinet position. also in 2005, women were given the right to vote.

Qatar Qatar is the thumb-shaped peninsula that protrudes into the gulf above Saudi arabia. Dominated by a succession of Persian dynasties in its pre-islamic days, and later by the ottoman and British empires, Qatar became an independent state in 1971.

an arid landscape with sparse vegetation, Qatar historically supported nomadic Bedouin tribes but neither captured nor cultivated the attention of traders, invaders,


w Arab Fund Building a masterpiece of traditional Arabic craftsmanship

w National Assembly Building by the designer of the Sydney Opera House

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little is known about oman’s pre-islamic history, but when islam arrived in 630 a.D., this new faith was embraced, and as omani merchants traveled and traded, they spread its message, along with arab culture and language, to countries as far away as china. oman’s valuable strategic location did not pass unnoticed by other countries, particularly Portugal, which conquered parts of oman’s coastal region in 1505. muscat became the main base in the region for Portugal, which built up and fortified the town. The forts at muscat and nearby mutrah are reminders of the 143 years during which the Portuguese controlled oman’s coastline.

For a centuries-old imperial power that challenged for dominance in the gulf, the indian ocean, india, and east africa, the more recent but extreme isolation imposed on oman by Sultan Said Bin Taimur from 1938 to 1970 was both uncharacteristic and debilitating. With the beginning of Sultan Qaboos’s reign in 1970, oman cautiously but steadily moved into the 20th and 21st centuries.


or the merely curious. Those who settled here depended on fishing and pearl diving for their livelihood, and until the discovery of oil in the 1930s, Qatar was an extremely poor country, even by gulf standards. now, like other gulf states, Qatar is an oil-based economy, but it also has the third-largest natural gas reserves in the world.

Qatar is working toward further economic diversification by developing a “knowledge economy,” and to that end it has already established the Qatar Science & Technology Park, a home for international technology companies; education city, a cluster of campuses of some of the world’s leading universities; and Sports city, a complex built to host the 2006 asian games. next on the docket is a bid to host the 2016 Summer olympic games.


OmanThe Sultanate of oman occupies a swath of land across the southern arabian Peninsula, a most favorable geographic position for commerce since ancient times. Formerly known as muscat and oman, the territory was divided culturally between the coast, ruled by the sultan, and the interior, ruled by an imam.

} Sand dunes, Qatar

w Al Jazeera a leading media outlet

w Dune drive Qatar’s spectacular rolling sand dunes

w Arabian horse stables a showplace of the famous breed

w Education City home to branch campuses of five universities

w Sports City built to host the 15th Asian Games in 2006

w Nizwa goat market a fascinating cacophony of bleating and bidding

w Mutrah Souk silver, swords, and incense, the essence of Muscat

w Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque grand in every sense of the word

w Beit al-Zubair Museum a treasure chest of original Omani arts and crafts

w Beit al-Baranda Museum a state-of-the-art journey through Muscat’s history

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Optional ExtensionsIran w Pre-Symposium extension

march 13–19, 2009

Israel w Post-Symposium extension

april 3–7, 2009

} Persepolis, Iran

} Dome of the Rock, Israel

experience modern-day iranian life amidst the bazaars, palaces, and museums of Tehran, and meet with scholars and dignitaries to discuss iran’s historical and current international role. excursions will include Shiraz, a center for the arts and learning that was Persia’s most important city of the medieval islamic world, and Persepolis, the most impressive archaeological site in iran.

Journey to Jerusalem to explore some of israel’s most important sites, and to participate in discussions with prominent government officials and civic leaders. optional excursions will include the historically rich old city, the Temple mount (noble Sanctuary), the venerated church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Shrine of the Book, home to the 2,000-year-old Dead Sea Scrolls.

Included all hotel and cruise nights as indicated in the itinerary • comprehensive program of shore excursions and special events • comprehensive lecture program offered by experts • experienced tour managers to oversee the logistics and safety of the program • State-of-the-art headsets for clear reception of expert commentary during excursions • all group on-tour transportation, including on-tour flights • gratuities to guides, porters, drivers, and ship’s crew • Bottled water throughout the program • 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 13 dinners • alcoholic beverages on board ship, including beer, wine, and most cocktails • Wine, beer, and cocktails at gala events in Dubai and muscat • Soft drinks and local beer during lunches off the ship (please note that alcoholic beverages are not available at meals in Saudi arabia and Kuwait) • 24-hour room service on board ship • arrival transfers and baggage handling between the Dubai airport and the Jumeirah Resort • Departure transfer and baggage handling between the al Bustan Palace Hotel and the muscat airport • complete packet of pre-departure information including suggested reading list, book package, and luggage tags • Visas for Bahrain, Kuwait, oman, Qatar, Saudi arabia, and the Uae for U.S. citizens

Not Included airfare from the U.S. to Dubai with return from muscat to the U.S. • Passport fees • immunization costs • airport security fees imposed by the government or airline • accident, baggage, and cancellation insurance • excess baggage charges • Personal items such as laundry, telephone, room service in hotels, fax and email charges, gratuities for non-group services, and other items not specified as included

What to Expect This is a moderately strenuous program that is at times physically demanding and busy. Daily programs can involve up to one mile of walking, often on uneven terrain where stairs are unavailable or do not have handrails. Participants must be physically fit and in active good health. in march, the average temperature along the coast ranges from the low 80s to the low 60s. in the desert, nights can become a bit cooler. The coast is quite humid, though the interior is dry.

The Iran pre-symposium extension is subject to visa restrictions. Extension details will be sent in a future mailing.

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Silver WindOne of the highest-rated cruise vessels afloat, the luxurious Silver Wind features an all-inclusive policy that spares no cost, impeccable service from a courteous and efficient crew, and unparalleled on-board amenities. The all-suite accommodations include ocean views and a wide range of features, from walk-in closets to 24-hour steward service. All bathrooms have marble tiles, shower/bathtub combinations, hair dryers, and terry-cloth robes. Of the ship’s 147 suites, 111 feature private verandahs. There are six suite categories, ranging in size from the 240-square-foot Vista Suites to the 1,019-square-foot Grand Suites. The Silver Wind’s venues include the top-deck Panorama Lounge, which offers lovely views, and the two-deck-high Show Lounge. There is a small, well-stocked library, Internet nook, card room, gym with Stairmasters and treadmills, a pool and two whirlpools, jogging track, spa, and beauty salon. Three restaurants—The Restaurant, La Saletta, and Terrace Café—take advantage of Silversea’s relationship with the Relais & Chateaux network of exclusive inns and restaurants, whose chefs contribute recipes to create distinctive and delicious menu selections.

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PROGRAM RATES DOUBLE SINGLE

MIDSHIP VERANDA SUITE $0 $0

LEAST EXPENSIVEVISTA SUITE $0 $0

VERANDA SUITE $0 $0

SILVER SUITE $0 -

ROYAL SUITE $0 -

MOST EXPENSIVE

CHART PROVIDED FOR REFERENCE ONLY; OK TO REBUILD IN InDESIGN

GRAND SUITE $0 -

240 sq. ft. with picture window

295 sq. ft. including teak veranda with floor-to-ceiling glass doors




1,019 sq. ft. including teak veranda with floor-to-ceiling glass doors

OWNER’S SUITE $0 -


AirfareRound-trip airfare on emirates’ non-stop service from new York (JFK), Houston (iaH), San Francisco (SFo), or los angeles (laX) to Dubai, with return from muscat to the U.S., is not included in the program rates. as of may 2008, round-trip economy class airfare is $1,345 from new York, $1,394 from Houston, and $1,585 from San Francisco and los angeles. Fares are subject to availability. all on-tour air is included. High country Passage is happy to assist you with your air travel arrangements. For assistance, call (800) 395-3288.

Special Business Class Faresnegotiated business class fares (valid on select flights) offer savings of up to $3,000 off published business class rates. Fares are subject to availability. Please inquire no later than november 30, 2008.

Program Rates, per person

Double SingleVista Suite $ 20,990 $ 34,630

240 sq. ft. with picture window

Veranda Suite $ 23,990 $ 39,580

295 sq. ft. including private teak veranda with floor-to-ceiling glass doors

Midship Veranda Suite $ 24,590 —


Silver Suite $ 29,390 —


Royal Suite $ 34,390 —


Grand Suite $ 35,590 —

1,019 sq. ft. including private teak veranda with floor-to-ceiling glass doors

Owner’s Suite $ 37,390 —


} Royal Suite } Restaurant } Pool

Silver Wind

a W o r l d l E a d E r s s y m p o s i u m

Aboard the Silver Wind • March 19–April 3, 2009

Terms & ConditionsReSeRVaTionS anD PaYmenTS A deposit of $2,500 per person is required to confirm all reservations. An interim deposit of $2,500 per person is due August 19, 2008. Participants may confirm spaces immediately by calling High country Passage at (800) 395-3288 with a major credit card number. You may, if you prefer, send a check (payable to High country Passage), or your credit card instructions, with the completed reservation to High country Passage, 500 Third Street, Suite 455, San Francisco, ca 94107. We cannot confirm reservations without a deposit. Final payment is due November 19, 2008, 120 days prior to departure. Failure to complete payment by the final payment due date may result in the cancellation of your reservation, in which case the cancellation penalties as outlined in the policy below will apply. all tour prices and airfares quoted in this brochure are based on tariffs, costs, and exchange rates of the United States dollar that were in effect at the time of publication. consequently, prices herein are subject to change. High country Passage and the tour operator reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a participant at any time. Due to fluctuations in oil prices, a fuel surcharge may be added to your tour fee. Details and costs will be advised prior to your departure.

cancellaTionS • All cancellations must be received in writing.• Cancellations received within 14 days of booking are fully refundable. This 14-day grace period applies to all bookings received before January 19, 2009. after January 19, 2009, all monies collected by High country Passage are completely non-refundable, regardless of date of deposit. aside from the aforementioned grace period, the following cancellation penalties apply:• Before August 19, 2008: Deposits are subject to a $500 cancellation penalty.• August 20, 2008–November 19, 2008: All monies paid are 100% non-refundable.• After November 19, 2008 (final payment date): All monies paid are 100% non-refundable. • Please note that there will be No exCePtioNs made to this cancellation policy.

inSURance For your protection, we strongly encourage you to purchase cancellation/interruption insurance; information about insurance will be sent to you upon receipt of deposit. Refunds cannot be made to passengers who do not complete the tour for any reason at all. We and the tour operator reserve the right, without penalty, to require any participant to withdraw from a tour at any time at his/her own expense, when such action is determined by tour staff to be in the best interest of the health, safety, or general welfare of the tour group or the individual participant.

HealTH all participants should be in good health and capable of walking over rough terrain. By forwarding the deposit for passage, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any physical or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers.

ReSPonSiBiliTY High country Passage (HcP) acts only as an agent for the suppliers and contractors providing transportation and/or all other travel-related services and do not assume any responsibility for travel, activities, and other travel-related services supplied by third parties that cause personal injury or for personal or property damage or loss in connection with any service. in no event will HcP be liable for an amount exceeding the aggregate amount paid by the tour participant to us, or for special, consequential, incidental, punitive, or indirect damages. The scheduled itinerary (including departure and arrival times) is not guaranteed. any part of this itinerary is subject to delay, modification, or port-of-call cancellation for any reason, including but not limited to, stress of weather, exigencies of safe navigation, navigation through regulated waters, ports, and channels, force majeure, acts of god, labor conflicts, hostilities, blockages, strikes aboard or ashore, breakdown of the ship, or any other cause, without refund or allowance. HcP reserves the right to alter, change, and/or omit any feature or part of the tour, in their discretion, without allowance or refund. occasionally, unforeseen changes or other matters necessitate a change in the tour or cause a tour to be extended beyond its scheduled completion; any extra costs incurred in such cases are the responsibility of the tour participant. HcP also reserves the right to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, or to require any person to withdraw from the tour at any time, when such action is determined by HcP representatives to be in the best interests of the health, safety and general welfare of the tour group or the individual participant. Personal effects are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times.

For more information, contact High Country Passage at (800) 395-3288 or go to www.hcptravel.com.

cST#2070901-40

To ReSeRVe ToDaY, please mail your completed reservation form and deposit to High country Passage, 500 Third Street, Suite 455, San Francisco, ca 94107. or call (800) 395-3288.

enclosed is a check for $______________ ($2,500 per person) payable to High country Passage. or, please charge my deposit of $______________ ($2,500 per person) to my ❏ ViSa ❏ mastercard ❏ american express.

❏ i/We understand that final payment is due november 19, 2008.

________________________________________ card number exp. Date (mm/YY)

________________________________________ cardholder Signature

________________________________________ name #1 (as on passport) Date of Birth (mm/DD/YY)

________________________________________ name #2 (as on passport) Date of Birth (mm/DD/YY)

________________________________________ address

________________________________________ city State/Province Zip/Postal code

________________________________________ Phone (Home) (office)

________________________________________ Fax email

Suite Preference aboard Ship:

________________________________________ 1st choice 2nd choice

Bed preference aboard ship (not guaranteed): ❏ one Queen ❏ Two TwinsBed preference in hotels (not guaranteed): ❏ one bed ❏ Two beds

Single applicants only: ❏ i prefer single accommodations. ❏ i plan to share accommodations with:

________________________________________

❏ Please arrange a share for me (not guaranteed). i am a ❏ non-smoker ❏ smoker. ❏ i understand that if a roommate cannot be found by the time of final payment, i will pay the single rate.

i/We have read the Terms and conditions section of this brochure and the Responsibility statement, and understand and agree to the terms and conditions stated herein.

________________________________________ Signature Date (mm/DD/YY)

________________________________________ Signature Date (mm/DD/YY)




PRSRT STD

U.S. PoSTage

PaiDPeRmiT no. 90

SanTa claRa, ca



HigH Country Passage

500 tHird street, suite 455

san FranCisCo, Ca 94107

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“In the spirit of strengthening and deepening

human relations around the globe, I am pleased

to extend a warm welcome to participants

in the 2009 World Leaders Symposium to

the Sultanate of Oman. It is on occasions

such as this that our bonds of friendship and

understanding can truly develop.”

Her Excellency Hunaina Al-Mughairy,

Omani Ambassador to the United States



the middle east in the 21st century

Documents

d e r s s y

s t i n t h e

s t c e n t u r y

p o s i u mexplore

oman peter bowater alamyw

iraq study group report

vis iraq

east issues