QATAR WELCOMES ISRAEL'S WITHDRAWAL FROM GAZA

UNCLAS DOHA 001443 SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARPI THORNE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL GZ IS QA SUBJECT: QATAR WELCOMES ISRAEL'S WITHDRAWAL FROM GAZA ¶1. The government of Qatar announced its satisfaction with the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in a diplomatic circular received August 16. The circular included an "unofficial translation" in English (para. 2). In its statement, the GOQ calls for withdrawal from all Palestinian territories and establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Qatari papers reported the government's official position on front pages August 17. ¶2. English text of Diplomatic Circular No. 1192-22. Unofficial Translation The State of Qatar has welcomed and expressed its satisfaction about the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. This has been disclosed by a responsible source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Qatar News Agency. The source has described the withdrawal as an important step towards the establishment of the independent Palestinian state, affirming that it is imperative that the Israelis complete their withdrawal from all Palestinian territories in line with the resolutions of the international legitimacy and the tenets of the Road Map plan. On this occasion, the source has expressed his felicitations to the Palestinian people. At the end of his announcement, the source reiterated Qatar's firm stance that the only way to achieve just and lasting peace is through the implementation of the resolutions of the international legitimacy and by enabling the Palestinian people to practice all its legitimate rights, foremost to establish its independent state on its territory with Jerusalem as its capital. End text. UNTERMEYER