DEMARCHE ON QATAR'S HOLD ON UNSCR 1267 TERRORIST

C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 001054 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA/ARP FOR ABAGWELL AND SRAMESH IO/PSC FOR ECROWE EEB/ESC/TFS FOR JJALLORINA E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/08/2017 TAGS: PTER ETTC KTFN UNSC QA IZ SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON QATAR'S HOLD ON UNSCR 1267 TERRORIST LISTING REQUEST REF: A. STATE 152242 ¶B. STATE 138972 Classified By: Political/Economic Chief Steven C. Rice, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Econoff and British Political Secretary James Lynch delivered Ref A demarche November 8 to Adel Al-Khal, Director of International Organizations, Conferences and Treaties at the MFA. Al-Khal explained that at the time of the UN 1267 Committee meeting, the Qatari mission at the United Nations had not received guidance from Doha. Because Fawzi Mutlaq Al-Rawi is a "political figure" (the leader of the Iraqi Wing of the Syrian Ba'th Party),the Qatari representative in New York put a hold on the designation out of caution. Al-Khal said that the GOQ was conducting a one-month review on the designation and asked for any information we could provide on Al-Rawi. Econoff noted that a background paragraph providing detailed information on Al-Rawi's material and financial support for Al-Qaeda in Iraq had been provided to the MFA via diplomatic note from the Embassy, and presumably the Qatari mission in New York had received the same information from USUN. (Note: Immediately after the meeting, Post sent to Al-Khal another copy of the diplomatic note with the points and background paper on Al-Rawi from Ref B). ¶2. (C) Econoff asked Al-Khal for a timeframe on the GOQ review, and he replied that it would take no longer than one month from the date of the meeting at the UN. Econoff confirmed this meant it would be completed by November 24. Econoff also pressed Al-Khal on the "political" aspect of the proposed designee, noting that while Al-Rawi has a political title, he is involved in serious terrorist activity in support of Al-Qaeda. Al-Khal claimed the political aspect would not affect the GOQ review and concluded by stating: "Let me be clear: we will support action against anyone involved in terrorism, even if he is the president of a country." ¶3. (C) COMMENT: Al-Khal came across as sincere and interested in a straightforward evaluation of the designation. However, he does not have the final word on such designations, and it is possible that the GOQ will decide not to anger the Syrians by assenting to the designation of a Syrian official. RATNEY