FOREIGN MINISTER ASSUMES PRIME MINISTERSHIP

C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 000351

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL QA
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER ASSUMES PRIME MINISTERSHIP


Derived from: DSCG 05-1, B,D.


1. (U) Qatar News Agency announced today that the Qatari
Prime Minister, Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, who is the
Amir's brother, has resigned. The First Deputy Prime Minister
and Foreign Minister, Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani (HBJ),has
replaced him while retaining the foreign affairs portfolio.
The Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and
Industry, Abdullah al-Attiyah, has assumed the title of
Deputy PM and Minister of Energy and Industry. Mohamed Saleh
al-Sadeh, the Managing Director of RasGas, was named the
Minister of State for Energy and Industry.

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Prime Minister Moves on to Business
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2. (SBU) HBJ predicted this change in a conversation with A/S
Welch in September. The outgoing prime minister, Abdullah bin
Khalifa, has extensive business interests. His public role
was minimal, and he only rarely spoke at local forums or
traveled abroad on official business. He has taken the title
of Private Counselor to the Amir and was present at the
swearing-in of the new cabinet officials, indicating that the
change reflected his wishes.

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Increased Power for HBJ
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3. (C) The change is a positive one for HBJ if only in form.
It demonstrates that, after 15 years as foreign minister, he
still has the full confidence of the Amir. He kept his prized
foreign policy portfolio while rising to the head of the
Cabinet of Ministers, the weekly meeting of which he will
chair. All of Qatar's cabinet-level officials will report to
him officially, except (as before) the influential energy
minister, who retains his ability to consult directly and
frequently with the Amir.

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No Further Changes Expected
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4. (C) The reshuffle has occurred just two days after Qataris
elected their third Central Municipal Council. With
approximately 51 percent participation, the election was
deemed a success. We do not expect any other immediate
changes. HBJ, who has spoken in various forums on the process
of democratization, is likely to be the GOQ's lead man and
public face from now through elections for Qatar's first
legislative body, expected next year.

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Best Approach is Direct One
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5. (C) With Qatar's rapid growth in both the economic and
political spheres, one might hope to see a delegation of
power to skilled decision-makers. This represents the
opposite: Increased power in the hands of one individual. He
will not share all decisions with his boss, partly because of
the limits of time and partly to protect his role. A
recommended approach for interacting with this natural
businessman: Be clear about what we want -- and about what he
can deliver to the Amir in return.


6. (SBU) Link to biography of Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani:

www.intelink.gov.sgov/wiki/Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani


7. (SBU) Longer analysis to follow.
UNTERMEYER