UAE CONDEMNS TERROR ATTACK IN QATAR

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001271 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PREL QA TC SUBJECT: UAE CONDEMNS TERROR ATTACK IN QATAR ¶1. UAE leaders have denounced the March 19 attack in Doha, and have pledged to cooperate with Qatar in fighting terrorism. Press reports said that President Khalifa called the Emir of Qatar on March 20 to condemn the attack. Khalifa said the security of Qatar was an "integral part" of the UAE's security and stability. Deputy Prime Minister and de facto Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamdan issued a statement March 20 strongly condemning the "vicious" attack and expressing solidarity with Qatar. ¶2. In a March 21 editorial, English "Gulf News" called the Doha attack a "cowardly act" and noted that terrorism against Western interests in the Gulf region was unjustified. While the newspaper acknowledged that "anti-US sentiments run high in the region, at least to some," the editorial went on to say that "there are several peaceful ways in which objections can be raised and disagreements voiced." A March 21 editorial in Arabic "Al Bayan" warned that "terrorism is knocking on all doors" and "hovering in all skies." The editorial called for concerted action to defend against terrorism. Arabic "Al Ittihad" said that the attack demonstrated that some groups had "deviated from Islam." ALBRIGHT