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

UNCLAS DOHA 000224

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SENSITIVE
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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).

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CONSULAR NOTIFICATION
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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.

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SUPPORT ON REGIONAL ISSUES
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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.

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IRAN
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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

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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.

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ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE
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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.

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IRAQ
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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.

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LONG TERM EMBASSY PLANS
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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