Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08DOHA877
2008-12-17 13:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Doha
Cable title:
QATAR LOOKS TO INCREASE COORDINATION WITH SAUDI
how-toVZCZCXRO8513 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHDO #0877 3521357 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 171357Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY DOHA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8552 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 000877
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/17/2018
TAGS: PREL ECON QA SA
SUBJECT: QATAR LOOKS TO INCREASE COORDINATION WITH SAUDI
ARABIA
Classified By: Ambassador Joseph E. LeBaron, for reasons 1.4 (b, d).
------------
(C) KEY POINTS
--------------
-- The Heir Apparent led the Qatari delegation to the
December 15-17 Qatar-Saudi Joint Council on Coordination and
will continue to chair these consultations on the Qatari
side, which are expected to take place every year.
-- The discussions covered a wide range of bilateral
interests: political, military, economic, and border
demarcation, according to MFA Assistant Minister for
Follow-up Affairs Mohamed Al-Rumaihi.
-----------
(C) COMMENT
-----------
-- Al-Rumaihi referred to the discussions as "technical in
nature," but clearly there is a strategic component (and
direction) for lower-level discussions. Otherwise, Qatar's
Heir Apparent, Prime Minister, and Minister of State for
Foreign Affairs would not have attended.
-- The coordination between Qatar and its larger neighbor is
further evidence that Qatar's relations with Saudi Arabia are
improving. After an extended absence, Saudi Arabia posted an
Ambassador to Doha earlier this year, and in December 2007
King Abdullah attended the GCC Summit in Doha.
End Key Points and Comment.
C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 000877
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/17/2018
TAGS: PREL ECON QA SA
SUBJECT: QATAR LOOKS TO INCREASE COORDINATION WITH SAUDI
ARABIA
Classified By: Ambassador Joseph E. LeBaron, for reasons 1.4 (b, d).
--------------
(C) KEY POINTS
--------------
-- The Heir Apparent led the Qatari delegation to the
December 15-17 Qatar-Saudi Joint Council on Coordination and
will continue to chair these consultations on the Qatari
side, which are expected to take place every year.
-- The discussions covered a wide range of bilateral
interests: political, military, economic, and border
demarcation, according to MFA Assistant Minister for
Follow-up Affairs Mohamed Al-Rumaihi.
--------------
(C) COMMENT
--------------
-- Al-Rumaihi referred to the discussions as "technical in
nature," but clearly there is a strategic component (and
direction) for lower-level discussions. Otherwise, Qatar's
Heir Apparent, Prime Minister, and Minister of State for
Foreign Affairs would not have attended.
-- The coordination between Qatar and its larger neighbor is
further evidence that Qatar's relations with Saudi Arabia are
improving. After an extended absence, Saudi Arabia posted an
Ambassador to Doha earlier this year, and in December 2007
King Abdullah attended the GCC Summit in Doha.
End Key Points and Comment.
1. (C) Ambassador asked MFA Assistant Minister for Follow-up
Affairs Mohamed Al-Rumaihi December 17 for his assessment of
the Qatar-Saudi Joint Council on Coordination dialogue which
was held in Saudi Arabia December 15-17. Al-Rumaihi
responded that coordinating and implementing joint policies
"in a wide range of bilateral interests at different levels"
was the primary aim of the commission, which is headed on the
Qatari side by the Heir Apparent, Shaykh Tamim.
2. (C) Al-Rumaihi said that the Prime Minister and Minister
of State for Foreign Affairs accompanied the Heir Apparent to
the meetings, which dealt with political, military, economic,
border demarcation, air traffic and other issues. Al-Rumaihi
described the discussions as "technical in nature." He said
they are expected to take place once a year, alternating
between both capitals.
LeBaron
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/17/2018
TAGS: PREL ECON QA SA
SUBJECT: QATAR LOOKS TO INCREASE COORDINATION WITH SAUDI
ARABIA
Classified By: Ambassador Joseph E. LeBaron, for reasons 1.4 (b, d).
--------------
(C) KEY POINTS
--------------
-- The Heir Apparent led the Qatari delegation to the
December 15-17 Qatar-Saudi Joint Council on Coordination and
will continue to chair these consultations on the Qatari
side, which are expected to take place every year.
-- The discussions covered a wide range of bilateral
interests: political, military, economic, and border
demarcation, according to MFA Assistant Minister for
Follow-up Affairs Mohamed Al-Rumaihi.
--------------
(C) COMMENT
--------------
-- Al-Rumaihi referred to the discussions as "technical in
nature," but clearly there is a strategic component (and
direction) for lower-level discussions. Otherwise, Qatar's
Heir Apparent, Prime Minister, and Minister of State for
Foreign Affairs would not have attended.
-- The coordination between Qatar and its larger neighbor is
further evidence that Qatar's relations with Saudi Arabia are
improving. After an extended absence, Saudi Arabia posted an
Ambassador to Doha earlier this year, and in December 2007
King Abdullah attended the GCC Summit in Doha.
End Key Points and Comment.
1. (C) Ambassador asked MFA Assistant Minister for Follow-up
Affairs Mohamed Al-Rumaihi December 17 for his assessment of
the Qatar-Saudi Joint Council on Coordination dialogue which
was held in Saudi Arabia December 15-17. Al-Rumaihi
responded that coordinating and implementing joint policies
"in a wide range of bilateral interests at different levels"
was the primary aim of the commission, which is headed on the
Qatari side by the Heir Apparent, Shaykh Tamim.
2. (C) Al-Rumaihi said that the Prime Minister and Minister
of State for Foreign Affairs accompanied the Heir Apparent to
the meetings, which dealt with political, military, economic,
border demarcation, air traffic and other issues. Al-Rumaihi
described the discussions as "technical in nature." He said
they are expected to take place once a year, alternating
between both capitals.
LeBaron