Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DOHA1039
2005-06-09 14:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Doha
Cable title:  

DISCUSSION WITH QATARI OPPOSITION FIGURES

Tags:  PGOV KDEM QA 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 001039 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

FOR NEA/ARPI THORNE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM QA
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION WITH QATARI OPPOSITION FIGURES


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 001039

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

FOR NEA/ARPI THORNE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM QA
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION WITH QATARI OPPOSITION FIGURES



1. (SBU) P/E Section hosted a small group of Qatari
oppositionists for lunch on May 26. The guests conveyed the view
that economic and political power are overwhelmingly in the hands
of the state and that democratic ideas had not yet taken root in
the overall population. There was some criticism of social
conformism in Qatar. They argued that the rule of law had
regressed, despite appearances otherwise. Guests were: Khalid Al-
Khater, an engineer and former public works official forced into
early retirement; his son Abdulaziz Al-Khater, educated in
western schools and a banker in Doha; Najeeb Al-Naimi, former
minister of justice and now a human rights lawyer; and Obaid Al-
Merri, a businessman and member of the Al-Murra tribe, many of
whose members have been stripped of their Qatari nationality.


2. (SBU) Qatar does not have a formal opposition. In fact,
political parties are not legal and there are no organized or
informal groups that criticize or oppose the government. Post's
lunch guests are not part of any larger structure. These
individuals were invited because they are willing to speak openly
with emboffs about their views; most Qataris understand that
criticizing the government brings the risk of losing benefits and
preferences for themselves and their families, such as housing
and education. Our guests requested that the lunch be held in a
residence rather than a public restaurant in order to avoid the
possibility of eavesdropping.


3. (SBU) Discussion touched on various different issues current
in Qatar such as democracy, the new constitution (which came into
force on June 9),the upcoming election for the National
Assembly, participation of women in the democratic process, the
stock market frenzy, and government monopolies.


4. (SBU) There was consensus on many of the issues. The group
shared a view of democratic reform in Qatar as artificial and not
rooted in the people. Rather, they see it as serving the purpose
of enhancing the government's image in the international
community. They do not believe the government is serious about
addressing the issue of human rights in the country. The former
minister of justice pointed out that some newly-issued laws
bestow rights on one hand and take them away with the other.
There is no role at present for civil society or associations.
Discussing the new law on private associations, the group

complained that the ability to form such societies is restricted
by numerous requirements and fees, and that societies' activities
are restricted -- for example, they may not engage in political
issues.


5. (SBU) The elder al-Khater mentioned that due to a weak private
sector, the majority of Qatari citizens work for the government.
This puts a burden on the government to create employment,
instead of developing the private sector and generating new
opportunities. The result is that many experienced and qualified
employees are forced into early retirement in order to create
vacancies for the next wave of graduates. This situation has
caused a serious loss of expertise, according to al-Khater.


6. (SBU) Al-Khater also mentioned that the government imposes
"indirect taxes" through regular price increases. He said most of
the companies owned by the government regularly raise the prices
of their products and services. This means that the residents are
paying "taxes," but in a different manner. He cited Q-Tel as an
example of this practice. He also criticized the Doha Securities
Market (DSM),which is dominated by public-sector companies.
Although these are publicly-traded entities, shareholders are not
represented on the boards of directors. Rather, the government
appoints the board members. In sum, al-Khater was concerned that
the rights of shareholders are not protected.


7. (SBU) Najeeb al-Naimi criticized the new constitution and the
fact that there can be no changes to it for ten years. He also
disapproved of the provision giving the Amir autonomy regarding
the disposition of the state's finances. He quoted an article in
the constitution which allows the Amir to withdraw any sum of
money from the treasury and use it for any purpose "without any
questions asked." Al-Naimi said that he was public in his
criticism of the constitution and had voted against it in the
face of a government-sponsored "yes" campaign.


8. (SBU) Al-Naimi continued that laws in Qatar are not strictly
enforced and usually include loose and uncertain phrases such as
"public interest" and a security exception. He said that the rule
of law in Qatar has regressed in recent years, despite
appearances to the contrary. In particular, he criticized Law No.
17 of 2002 which authorizes the Minister of Interior to detain
someone up to six months or longer subject to the Prime
Minister's approval, without trial if in the "public interest."
Al-Naimi also criticized the current Advisory Council for not
challenging government policy. He believes that the new Advisory
Council (after elections take place sometime in 2006) will
continue to reflect government policy since one-third of it will
be appointed and likely will always support the government. Al
Naimi believes Qatari society is still not ready to oppose the
leadership.


9. (SBU) The group speculated whether women would be appointed to
the Advisory Council next year. (Currently, there are no female
members.) As one member of the group asked rhetorically, "Why
have democracy for women when men don't have it?" Guests argued
that society is not ready and remains sensitive about women in
public positions. They believed this issue has to be handled
gradually and carefully. All disapproved of appointing females in
key posts since, in their opinion, it will result in delays,
create impediments, and not necessarily benefit society.


10. (SBU) Elaboration over the nationality issue showed two
opinions. Najeeb Al-Nuaimi believed that the stripping of
nationality from some Al-Murra members was, in most cases, legal.
This, he said, is because those tribe members are of Saudi origin
who came to Qatar after 1972 and were still holding dual
nationality, which is against the law in Qatar. He based his
information on a meeting he had with several members of the
tribe. The other guests, however, believed that the Al-Murra
lived in Qatar before Qatar became a state and that the stripping
them of nationality is illegal. Al-Khater added that the concept
of the citizenship is neither well-defined nor protected in Qatar
and in other Arab States, as Arab governments don't differentiate
between citizenship and national origin. Guests cited examples
and agreed that stripping nationality from dead people -- which
has the effect of removing nationality from the deceased's
descendants -- is taking the issue a step too far.

Comment
--------------


11. (SBU) We found that the individuals we met with shared a
number of views, though on occasion they were reticent in front
of their colleagues. Not represented at our lunch were dissidents
with political-Islamic views, because such a mix would probably
result in mutual suspicion. Both the liberal and the Islamic
opposition critiques give perspective to the Qatari government's
effective message of democratic reform and economic openness.
Post will continue to develop reports in this area.