Issue 141 (May - June)

I t appears that US President Donald Trump’s invitation to Gulf heads of state to his Camp David retreat to resolve differences between Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain with neighbouring Qatar is now offered with preconditions. “No breakthrough in the Qatar crisis, no Camp David” writes Associated Press’ Josh Lederman. The message from the White House is both sides need to be on speaking terms before being permitted to enjoy US hospitality at Camp David amid the Maryland Mountains. This has echoes of my schooldays when my squabbling classmates could expect a smack from their teacher. How dare you treat us like third graders, Mr Trump! On Saturday, reports suggested he is sending two envoys to the Arabian Gulf region presumably to exert some arm-twisting. The Kingdom and its Gulf allies are keen to maintain good relations with their staunchest Western ally the United States but our leaders should not allow themselves to be held over a barrel or sacrifice their principles to satisfy US regional interests. Qatar knows full well what it needs to do to be welcomed back into the fold but thus far has made no moves to disassociate itself from known radical individuals, groups and terrorist-supporting charities, despite the White House’s assertions to the contrary absent of any evidence. Furthermore, not only has Qatar dismissed the quartet’s request to close the Muslim Brotherhood’s mouthpiece Al Jazeera, the network’s vitriolic coverage of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt has been ramped-up. Adding salt to the wound, Doha now colludes with our number one enemy, the Islamic Republic of Iran as well as an ever more belligerent Turkey which is pushing to gain a military foothold in the Middle East – and already has its foot in the door of Qatar, Sudan and Syria. KHALAF AHMAD AL HABTOOR • PUBLISHED IN THE MEDIA ON 6 MARCH 2018 Just days ago, the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva stated on behalf of the Saudi- led quartet that Qatar was marketing the dispute as “a major international crisis” and asked Qatar to build positive relations with its neighbours or “continue to be in breach of international law” and “conventions to counter terrorism” with its support of extremist ideologies and its spread of hatred via its media outlets. Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir is in no mood to roll-over on Trump’s command judging by comments he made during a visit to Vienna late last month. He accused Qatar of spreading hatred in various countries. Once it “stops funding terrorism, the Arab quartet will definitely be ready to restore normal ties,” he said. I have always said that I consider this rift a family affair which can only be resolved by the concerned parties. I am strongly opposed p. 5