SENIOR MFA OFFICIAL OUTLINES QATAR'S FOREIGN POLICY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 001040 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM QA SUBJECT: SENIOR MFA OFFICIAL OUTLINES QATAR'S FOREIGN POLICY REF: IIR 6 957 0005 08 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Michael A. Ratney, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C//NF) Summary: MFA Assistant Minister for Follow-up Affairs Mohamed Al-Rumaihi in an October 23 presentation to a group of recently promoted senior U.S. military officers (CAPSTONE) gave a noteworthy overview of Qatar's foreign policy and made some significant remarks about domestic policy. Al-Rumaihi stated that the United States was and is Qatar's first ally, but that Qatar has a dynamic foreign policy that includes a dialogue with all nations and is geared toward promoting stability in the region. The U.S., he said, must maintain a presence in the Arabian Peninsula/Gulf region and remain engaged with the Gulf nations to ensure economic development and stability. End Summary. OVERALL FOREIGN POLICY OF QATAR -------------- ¶2. (C//NF) According to Al-Rumaihi, Qatar adopted a new orientation toward reform in 1996 when the current Amir, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, came to power. This orientation encompasses three pillars: education, new development, and industry. These three pillars must be present and promoted in Qatar and throughout the region and world in order for prosperity to advance, stated Al-Rumaihi. It is on this premise that Qatar has adopted these pillars as the underpinnings of its foreign policy. In its foreign policy, explained Al-Rumaihi, Qatar aims to project itself outside of its borders not only to provide energy, which is a necessity for its development, but also to promote Persian Gulf and overall regional stability and new development. This foreign policy, he continued, is coordinated at a "high and dynamic level" because that is the only way to ensure its effectiveness. ¶3. (C/NF) Elaborating on this point, Al-Rumaihi stressed that "high and dynamic" meant that Qatar is not afraid to assert itself on the world political stage and engage in dialogue with all nations and organizations, including some nations or organizations that the U.S. may have chosen to isolate. This is because the foreign policy of Qatar is geared toward the concept that a relationship with all allies and neighbors fosters cooperation and promotes stability. Qatar, according to Al-Rumaihi, believes that the countries of the Gulf have been weakened and are more susceptible to instability due to conflicts in the region. When asked what is the number one threat to Qatar, Al-Rumaihi responded "anything that will prevent progress or threaten the transportation of energy, and anyone who will try to impose an ideology." U.S.-QATAR RELATIONSHIP -------------- ¶4. (C//NF) Al-Rumaihi remarked that the United States was and is Qatar's first ally. Qatar cannot create regional stability, he said, without a major ally. Al-Rumaihi added that Qatar understands that the U.S. is its strongest ally, but there are other regional powers that can have influence, such as Turkey, India and Pakistan. These regional powers, however, can only backup U.S. power, underscored Al-Rumaihi, who said a superpower is important. When asked if in 20-30 years the U.S. military would still be welcome in Qatar, Al-Rumaihi replied: "To ensure economic development and stability, the U.S. must continue to be present." IRAN, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, AND ISRAEL -------------- ¶5. (C//NF) Al-Rumaihi remarked that, "Iran has the right to enrich uranium. The challenge is how does that threaten the region." He stated that Iran is too active outside its borders instead of internally. (Comment: We believe Al-Rumaihi meant that Iran needs to take care of its internal challenges instead of meddling in foreign affairs. End Comment.) He said that Iran represents a threat to regional stability and that Iran takes advantage of opportunities to destabilize the region. He added that "Iran will not go too far." On the Israeli/Palestinian situation, Al-Rumaihi said the issue must be resolved. "Let Palestine have its rights as a country and let Israel have security." ASIA, RUSSIA, CHINA, AND AFRICA -------------- ¶6. (C//NF) As part of his overall remarks, Al-Rumaihi offered that China is not participating in Asian security. (Comment: We take this to mean that China is not interested in the DOHA 00001040 002 OF 002 security of other Asian countries, only its own. End Comment.) Al-Rumaihi remarked that Russia is only vying for power and trying to achieve control in the region for Russian energy companies and is not interested in fostering regional development. Qatar would like to strike a balance between the U.S./Europe on one hand and China/Russia on the other. Qatar would also like the U.S. and Europe to take advantage of opportunities for development in Asia and Africa, said Al-Rumaihi, who noted that promoting African development is critical to promoting African stability. QATAR'S DOMESTIC POLICIES -------------- ¶7. (C//NF) Asked what will sustain the Qatari economy after hydrocarbons, Al-Rumaihi remarked that Qatar has seen the Kuwaiti model and has adopted a policy of foreign investment. He stated that 33 percent of government revenues go toward foreign investment, another 33 percent toward investment in domestic oil/gas by-products industries, and seven percent to other development. (Note: Al-Rumaihi did not comment on the remaining 27 percent. End Note.) He also commented that women are an important component of domestic policy. Al-Rumaihi spontaneously elaborated on the role of women, informing the assembled Americans that one-sixth of the MFA work force is female. He said that Qatar wants to strengthen the role of women. Asked how Qatar views the predominantly foreign work force Al-Rumaihi said, "They (the foreign workers) live with us; there will be change; it is rich to know others." ¶8. (C/NF) Comment: Our DATT observed that Al-Rumaihi seemed excited at the opportunity to address an audience of senior U.S. military leaders and took advantage of the opportunity to promote and advocate Qatar's foreign policy, as well as to emphasize the importance of the relationship between Qatar and the United States. It has been quite some time since a senior Qatari official spoke at length to an American audience on the broad themes of Qatar's foreign and domestic policies. For that reason, we are essentially repeating reftel here for the benefit of a wider State audience. RATNEY