Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DOHA464
2006-03-27 13:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Doha
Cable title:
COUNSELOR ZELIKOW'S MEETING WITH QATARI MINISTER
how-toVZCZCXRO2762 PP RUEHDE DE RUEHDO #0464 0861337 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 271337Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY DOHA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4563 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CENTCOMFWD// RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 000464
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2016
TAGS: EFIN PREL EAID EINV KPAL IZ XF QA
SUBJECT: COUNSELOR ZELIKOW'S MEETING WITH QATARI MINISTER
OF FINANCE MARCH 20
REF: A. DOHA 461
B. DOHA 445
Classified By: Ambassador Chase Untermeyer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 000464
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2016
TAGS: EFIN PREL EAID EINV KPAL IZ XF QA
SUBJECT: COUNSELOR ZELIKOW'S MEETING WITH QATARI MINISTER
OF FINANCE MARCH 20
REF: A. DOHA 461
B. DOHA 445
Classified By: Ambassador Chase Untermeyer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) In two meetings with Minister of Finance Yousef Kamal
on March 20, Department Counselor Dr. Philip Zelikow outlined
U.S. strategic thinking on Iran and regional security and
commended Qatar for choosing the path of reform, progress,
and prosperity. At a brief meeting in the Finance Ministry,
Kamal - who observed that he is an expert on financing
projects, not a politician - provided a view from the region
on U.S. policies. Muslims, he said, think the cause of
regional problems is the U.S., not Iran. "What is going on in
Palestine is helping Iran much more than you think," he said.
Iran is exploiting popular discontent over the plight of
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza to increase their
power and get support. "What the public sees on TV helps Iran
be in a better position," the minister said. Thus, the main
issue should be to solve the Palestinian question to
eliminate Iran's leverage on this issue and remove the
perception of a US double standard. We want peace in our
region, he concluded, but we must aim to solve all the
various problems of the region.
2. (C) Minister Kamal, joined by Deputy Secretary General for
Investment Affairs, Dr. Huassain Al-Abdulla, later hosted the
delegation and Ambassador Untermeyer for dinner. The
discussion included Arab views of the U.S., assistance in
Iraq and fall-out from the Dubai Ports World deal. The
discussion was lively on Arab views of the U.S., with the
Minister and his deputy providing direct and constructive
points of view on U.S. policy in the region. Of particular
concern were events such as the Dubai Ports World deal, which
send messages that the U.S. is anti-Arab in a very overt,
indiscreet way. Kamal reminded Zelikow that "this region,
over the next few years, will have over $400 billion to
invest." He also noted that Qatar is spending $1.5 billion to
build the Golden Pass LNG-receiving and degasification
terminal in southeast Texas. He said he hopes there will be
no American reaction against it.
3. (C) On Iraq assistance, Qatar is interested if the
projects truly are investment and not aid, also noting that
risk insurance, such as that provided by the World Bank, is
essential. Minister Kamal discussed the same proposal for a
$5 billion investment fund for Iraq that was broached by
Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, but described it
as a public-private "holding company" rather than a
development bank. The concept is described in Ref A.
(COMMENT: While the basic concept does not seem to have
evolved substantially since the Minister's meeting with A/S
Wayne in January, it is worth seriously pursuing given HBJ's
apparent endorsement. END COMMENT)
UNTERMEYER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2016
TAGS: EFIN PREL EAID EINV KPAL IZ XF QA
SUBJECT: COUNSELOR ZELIKOW'S MEETING WITH QATARI MINISTER
OF FINANCE MARCH 20
REF: A. DOHA 461
B. DOHA 445
Classified By: Ambassador Chase Untermeyer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) In two meetings with Minister of Finance Yousef Kamal
on March 20, Department Counselor Dr. Philip Zelikow outlined
U.S. strategic thinking on Iran and regional security and
commended Qatar for choosing the path of reform, progress,
and prosperity. At a brief meeting in the Finance Ministry,
Kamal - who observed that he is an expert on financing
projects, not a politician - provided a view from the region
on U.S. policies. Muslims, he said, think the cause of
regional problems is the U.S., not Iran. "What is going on in
Palestine is helping Iran much more than you think," he said.
Iran is exploiting popular discontent over the plight of
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza to increase their
power and get support. "What the public sees on TV helps Iran
be in a better position," the minister said. Thus, the main
issue should be to solve the Palestinian question to
eliminate Iran's leverage on this issue and remove the
perception of a US double standard. We want peace in our
region, he concluded, but we must aim to solve all the
various problems of the region.
2. (C) Minister Kamal, joined by Deputy Secretary General for
Investment Affairs, Dr. Huassain Al-Abdulla, later hosted the
delegation and Ambassador Untermeyer for dinner. The
discussion included Arab views of the U.S., assistance in
Iraq and fall-out from the Dubai Ports World deal. The
discussion was lively on Arab views of the U.S., with the
Minister and his deputy providing direct and constructive
points of view on U.S. policy in the region. Of particular
concern were events such as the Dubai Ports World deal, which
send messages that the U.S. is anti-Arab in a very overt,
indiscreet way. Kamal reminded Zelikow that "this region,
over the next few years, will have over $400 billion to
invest." He also noted that Qatar is spending $1.5 billion to
build the Golden Pass LNG-receiving and degasification
terminal in southeast Texas. He said he hopes there will be
no American reaction against it.
3. (C) On Iraq assistance, Qatar is interested if the
projects truly are investment and not aid, also noting that
risk insurance, such as that provided by the World Bank, is
essential. Minister Kamal discussed the same proposal for a
$5 billion investment fund for Iraq that was broached by
Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, but described it
as a public-private "holding company" rather than a
development bank. The concept is described in Ref A.
(COMMENT: While the basic concept does not seem to have
evolved substantially since the Minister's meeting with A/S
Wayne in January, it is worth seriously pursuing given HBJ's
apparent endorsement. END COMMENT)
UNTERMEYER