QATAR: VERDICT STILL OUT ON PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 000210 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/16/2037 TAGS: PGOV PREL UNMIK KISL UNSC QA SUBJECT: QATAR: VERDICT STILL OUT ON PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR KOSOVO AT OIC SUMMIT REF: SECSTATE 22377 Classified By: CDA Michael Ratney for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Post delivered reftel demarche via diplomatic note March 6, requesting that the GOQ express support for Kosovo's independence at the March 13-14 ministerial summit of the Organization of the Islamic Congress (OIC) in Dakar, Senegal. Poloff followed-up March 10 with MFA International Organizations, Conferences and Treaties Department Counselor Mohammed Al-Dohaimi (protect),who responded that there had been no formal decision made to express public support for newly independent Kosovo at the OIC conference. He commented that the five OIC nations supporting Kosovo,s independence declaration was promising, but that Qatar needed to measure broader OIC and international opinion prior to making a statement of support. That said, he opined that Qatar would eventually acquiesce and support Kosovo,s independence subsequent to statements of support from other Gulf states. ¶2. (C) Al-Dohaimi provided no other substantive remarks, other than to confirm that the Amir planned to attend the summit, vice the Foreign Minister/Prime Minister, and would be accompanied by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Al-Mahmoud. RATNEY