MFA OFFICIAL SAYS QATAR WILL IMPLEMENT UNSCR 1803

C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 000254

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA, ISN, T

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2018
TAGS: ECON EFIN ETRD EINV PREL PGOV PARM KNNP MNUC
UNSC, IR, QA
SUBJECT: MFA OFFICIAL SAYS QATAR WILL IMPLEMENT UNSCR 1803

REF: A. SECSTATE 29096


B. SECSTATE 33674

Classified By: CDA Michael A. Ratney, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Pol-Econ Chief and Econoff delivered Ref A and Ref B
demarches April 2 to Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Sowaidi, Acting
Director of the MFA's International Organizations Department.
Noting that the international community recognizes the risks
of doing business with Iran, Econoff emphasized that Iran
engages in deceptive practices to finance its proliferation
activities and may look to expand its financial presence in
Qatar as a way to avoid sanctions, particularly as Tehran's
banking relationships in Bahrain and the UAE come under
greater scrutiny. Econoff also noted that the new UNSCR
calls for increased vigilance over Iranian financial
entities, particularly Bank Saderat (which has a branch in
Qatar),and encouraged the GOQ to issue an advisory to
financial institutions on the risks of doing business with
Iran.


2. (C) Turning to the new UNSCR's travel restrictions,
Pol-Econ Chief stressed that Qatar's growing aviation sector
and current air links to Iran make it a likely transit point
for Iranians of proliferation concern covered by the new
UNSCR. Al-Sowaidi advised that the MFA had already sent the
text of UNSCR 1803 to relevant agencies throughout the GOQ,
but undertook to circulate the U.S. views and background
papers on both issues to relevant GOQ agencies. He also
expressed Qatar's intent to fully comply with the new
resolution, though he was unable to speak to whether the GOQ
would issue a financial advisory on Iran. Post is seeking a
separate meeting with the Central Bank to discuss
implementation of UNSCR 1803 and will report any substantive
information septel.

RATNEY