U/S HENRIETTA HOLSMAN FORE'S FEBRUARY 15 MEETING AT QATARI

UNCLAS DOHA 000224 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR M, CA/OCS, NEA/ARPI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL CASC QA SUBJECT: U/S HENRIETTA HOLSMAN FORE'S FEBRUARY 15 MEETING AT QATARI MFA ¶1. (SBU) Under Secretary of State for Management Henrietta Holsman Fore met February 15 with Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Qatar's second-ranking MFA official) Ahmed al-Mahmoud to discuss consular notification of arrested Americans, Iran, Iraq, and other regional issues. Al-Mahmoud was joined by Amb. Ali Fahad Al-Hajiri, MFA Director of European and American Affairs, Amb. Adel Al-Khal, MFA Director of International Organizations, Amb. Abdulaziz Al-Subae, MFA Director of Management & Finance Department, and Khalifa Al-Suwaidi, from the MFA European & American Affairs Department. U/S Fore was joined by Ambassador, NEA/EX Director Alford, M Special Assistant Offut, and Management Officer (note taker). -------------- CONSULAR NOTIFICATION -------------- ¶2. (SBU) U/S Fore requested MFA assistance to ensure that the U.S. Embassy receives prompt notification when American citizens are arrested in Qatar. U/S Fore said our objective is same-day notification and visitation be given to the Mission. Al-Mahmoud stated that, to his knowledge, notification is provided within 24 to 48 hours, but offered to look into the request. The Ambassador commented that the norm for notification was three to four days and in most cases the Embassy becomes aware of an arrest case from a family member in the U.S. who has contacted the Mission for information regarding their jailed family member. ¶3. (SBU) Al-Mahmoud responded that in the U.S., the notification time frame for Qatari nationals arrested is one to two weeks and claimed he could provide examples to this fact. Al-Mahmoud stated that Qatari citizens have been stopped at U.S. airports and jailed without notification to their embassy. He cited the al-Marri case, a Qatari who he said has been imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay for one year. U/S Fore strongly reinforced the importance of prompt notification by both parties. -------------- SUPPORT ON REGIONAL ISSUES -------------- ¶4. (SBU) U/S Fore praised Qatar for its work with the U.S. and allies. Al-Mahmoud remarked that while we may disagree on the method, we agree on the need to work together for a solution. U/S Fore thanked the Al-Mahmoud for the support Qatar has provided for use of military facilities in Qatar and to the U.S. Embassy. Al-Mahmoud welcomed these comments, stating that Qatar is a friend and ally and offered continued support. -------------- IRAN -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Ambassador commented on the Iran nuclear program and expected initiatives in the UN Security Council to tighten sanctions. He requested the support of Qatar on the next resolution. Al-Mahmoud responded that Qatar took the position it did on UNSCR 1696 on July 31 because of the lack of USG coordination with the GOQ. As friends and allies, he said, the U.S. must coordinate. Al-Mahmoud stated the security of Qatar is linked to the security of the region and U.S. success in Iraq. ¶6. (SBU) Al-Mahmoud said Qatari officials spoke with and strongly urged Iran to stop uranium enrichment and told them that stability and peace in the region was paramount. He said Iran is under the impression there is only a 10% chance that the U.S. will attack its land. Qatar officials told Iran that there is actually a 50% chance of a U.S. attack if they continue their current position and that Secretary Rice has stated that there are only two options, peaceful SIPDIS and military, and the region has had enough wars. Al-Mahmoud said Iran responded by asking why try to stop us and not Israel. Al-Mahmoud said Qatari replied that that if Iran is allowed to have nuclear weapons, other countries in the region will want to acquire them too. -------------- ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Al-Mahmoud urged U/S Fore to communicate the need for the U.S to work harder for Israeli-Palestinian peace. The U.S. has the power, he said, and should not alienate the Palestinian people and allow them to be used as pawns. The "embargo" is wrong and only increases the suffering of the Palestinian people; if this continues, it will only strengthen the hatred of the Palestinian people against the U.S. and create extremism among the people. ¶8. (SBU) Al-Mahmoud said Qatar supported the Palestinian people with a $50 million dollar aid package channeled through PA President Mahmoud Abbas. If there is no assistance for the Palestinian people, countries like Iran will move in with support and create another Hezbollah. Al-Mahmoud said Qatar supports the Mecca agreement. -------------- IRAQ -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Al-Mahmoud stated that the future of Iraq lies in a unified Iraq. He said the U.S. gave Iraq to Iran on a golden platter but withdrawal from Iraq now would be a disaster. The Maliki government must rule for all people and not become a sectarian government. No government in the region, he claimed, has faith in Maliki. -------------- LONG TERM EMBASSY PLANS -------------- ¶10. (SBU) U/S Fore broached the need for a new embassy site for a Chief of Mission residence and chancery in the Losail area. Al-Mahmoud stated that Qatar provided land in 1999 to the U.S. government for this purpose. In December 2000, however, the land was returned. Al-Mahmoud said he would look into how land could possibly to given within the existing laws. UNTERMEYER