Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03DOHA1748
2003-07-10 11:43:00
SECRET
Embassy Doha
Cable title:  

IN-HOUSE VIEWS ON POTENTIAL HAMAS TARGETS

Tags:  EFIN PTER ECON ETTC QA 
pdf how-to read a cable
R 101143Z JUL 03
FM AMEMBASSY DOHA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8748
INFO GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
S E C R E T DOHA 001748 

STATE FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2013
TAGS: EFIN PTER ECON ETTC QA
SUBJECT: IN-HOUSE VIEWS ON POTENTIAL HAMAS TARGETS

REF: A. KABUL 1810

B. STATE 194837

C. STATE 193410

D. DOHA 2536

Classified By: AMBASSADOR MAUREEN QUINN FOR REASONS 1.5 (b) AND (d)

S E C R E T DOHA 001748

STATE FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2013
TAGS: EFIN PTER ECON ETTC QA
SUBJECT: IN-HOUSE VIEWS ON POTENTIAL HAMAS TARGETS

REF: A. KABUL 1810

B. STATE 194837

C. STATE 193410

D. DOHA 2536

Classified By: AMBASSADOR MAUREEN QUINN FOR REASONS 1.5 (b) AND (d)


1. (S) SUMMARY. The organizations named in ref B, Qatar
Charitable Society (QCS),Sheikh Eid bin Mohammed Charitable
Society and the Qatari Joint Committee for Relief, are three
of the four charitable entities in Qatar (the fourth is the
Qatar Red Crescent Society). The GOQ is committed to
combating terrorist financing and has demonstrated a strong
willingness to cooperate with USG efforts. Absent concrete
information specifically linking these organizations to
terrorist activity, post has not engaged the GOQ regarding
them. To designate these organizations now, individually or
as a group, without apparent cause or justification, would
send a strong negative signal to the GOQ and the Qatari
public about the bilateral relationship. END SUMMARY.

QATAR CHARITABLE SOCIETY


2. (S) The "United Way" of Qatar, Qatar Charitable Society is
the largest charitable organization in Qatar and conducts the
majority of charitable activities and fundraising in the
country. QCS took decisive measures in late 2002 to prevent
misuse of funds or other resources for illegal purposes
(detailed ref D). These steps included a new focus on
domestic charitable activities and reorganization of
management. The GOQ has tightened every aspect of charitable
oversight without USG prodding. Designating QCS at this time
would suggest that these efforts were not sufficient or
effective. Qatar Charitable Society has kept an office open
in the Palestinian territories given the plight of the
Palestinian people. This office might have some contacts with
Hamas. If Washington agencies have specific information in
that regard, we would want to share it with the GOQ for
investigations and any appropriate action.


3. (S) Additionally, in late 2002 a new QCS Chairman, Sheikh
Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman al Thani, was named. In addition to
his position with QCS, Sheikh Abdulaziz also serves as the
Chairperson of the Royal Family Council, which has the
constitutional mandate of investing the nation's ruler.
Designating QCS could be interpreted as a slur against Sheikh

Abdulaziz and the ruling al Thani family as a whole. Sheikh
Abdulaziz works closely with the Organization of Islamic
Conference Fund for Afghanistan, established in Doha in 2001.
He is also involved with Microsoft and supported their
opening an office in the Qatar Science and Technology Park
this spring.

QATARI JOINT COMMITTEE FOR RELIEF


4. (S) Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman also serves as the
Chairperson of this committee. To the best of post's
knowledge, this is not an operating charitable organization
as much as a relief entity that targets specific needs.
Usually the organization is addressed as the Qatari Joint
Relief Committee for Afghanistan, Qatari Joint Relief
Committee for Iraq, etc. GOQ officials have previously
reported that the Joint Committee is a quasi-government
entity and donations may be both public and private.


5. (S) In the past two years, the Joint Committee has been
very active in Afghanistan and has recently focused on Iraq.
The Joint Committee for both was announced publicly along
with information on how Qatari citizens and others could make
donations for the specific needs in these countries.
Fundraising telethons are generally used to solicit initial
donations. Ref A outlines Sheikh Abdulaziz's recent visit to
Afghanistan to discuss application of Qatari Joint Relief
Committee for Afghanistan projects, as well as private and
GOQ donations, with the Afghan and U.S. officials.

SHEIKH EID BIN MOHAMMAD CHARITABLE SOCIETY


6. (S) This, the smallest charity in Qatar, is not well known
to the Embassy due to its small size. GOQ officials have
previously reported that the organization does little
international charitable work. Sheikh Eid bin Mohammad al
Thani is a royal family member. If Washington agencies have
significant concerns about this group, post would like to
have the opportunity to engage key GOQ decision-makers on the
organization's activities in order to gather more useful
details. The organization has at least two offices in Doha.
One office is about a half mile from the Embassy and the
second is around the corner from the Ambassador's residence.
Post has not visited either facility to date. Post might also
be able to develop more information by pursuing some contacts
with this group.


7. (S) COMMENT. Qatar remains a committed and active partner
in the international war on terrorism and efforts to combat
terrorist financing. As reported previously, the GOQ has
repeatedly taken independent steps to control local
charitable organizations and strengthen oversight over
foreign donations. These steps have shown tangible and
immediate results. Post strongly argues against designating
these three organizations. They are either doing the right
thing or we have not shared information beforehand with the
GOQ that allows it to take pre-emptive action. Post believes
engaging the GOQ directly and privately regarding our
concerns for these three organizations' connections to Hamas
is the best way to achieve desired results.


QUINN