QATAR'S LATEST THOUGHTS ON GCC RECONSTRUCTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 000181

SIPDIS

DHAKA FOR POL/ECON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2019
TAGS: EFIN KPAL KWBG PGOV PTER PHUM QA
SUBJECT: QATAR'S LATEST THOUGHTS ON GCC RECONSTRUCTION
MECHANISM

REF: SECSTATE 23135

Classified By: Amb. LeBaron for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

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(C) KEY POINTS
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-- Ambassador conveyed reftel points March 12 to Dr. Khalid
Al Attiyah, MFA Minister of State (International Cooperation
and Conferences). Ambassador urged that the GCC restructure
its Gaza reconstruction funding mechanism in order to utilize
existing assistance mechanisms, including the World Bank
Trust Fund, the PA's single treasury account, and the UN
Consolidated Appeal.

-- Al Attiyah thought that such coordination could occur,
through a GCC reconstruction office to be established in
Gaza. He said the GCC office would have wide latitude to
enter into development and reconstruction agreements with
Palestinian entities, international NGOs, and UN agencies and
offices, among others.

-- The GCC states are "waiting to see the outcome of Egypt's
mediation" before deciding how the reconstruction mechanism
will work, Al-Attiyah added, mentioning uncertainties over
border crossings and other logistical and security issues.

-- Ambassador left a copy of reftel fact sheet.

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(C) COMMENT
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-- Al Attiyah's comments indicate the political decision to
use a separate GCC funding mechanism is firm. Still unclear
is how this mechanism will actually use its funds - i.e,. as
transfers to "the legitimate Palestinian authority in Gaza,"
UN agencies, NGO partners, or by its own direct programming.

End Key Points and Comment.


1. (C) In a March 12 meeting with MFA Minister of State for
International Cooperation and Conferences Dr. Khalid Al
Attiyah, Ambassador conveyed reftel points, using them to
explore with Al Attiyah the GCC's reconstruction funding
mechanism, and strongly recommending that the GCC increase
its coordination with existing assistance mechanisms.
Ambassador specifically stressed the need to work with the
World Bank Trust Fund, the PA's single treasury account, and
the UN Consolidated Appeal, as well as other mechanisms
already identified by United Nations agencies and the PA.


2. (C) Al Attiyah left the door a bit ajar for such
coordination. He said the GCC intends to establish an office
in Gaza to identify reconstruction partners and to oversee
program implementation. The office would have wide latitude
in identifying implementing partners, including Palestinian
entities, international NGO's, and UN agencies and offices,
among others. Al Attiyah equated the idea to what Qatar had
done in south Lebanon after the 2006 war.


3. (C) Al Attiyah underscored that the GCC wants to work only
through "legitimate authorities" in Gaza, and was "waiting to
see the outcome of Egypt's mediation" before deciding on the
specific operational details of the GCC aid office in Gaza.
He emphasized Qatar's hope that a unity government would
emerge from the talks, but said the mechanism and the GCC
Gaza reconstruction office concepts have been established so
that the GCC can go in "once the (security) environment is
ready." It is not dependent upon the reemergence of a unity
government, he said.


4. (C) Still, Al Attiyah stated that if there is a new
government, the GCC mechanism and reconstruction office would
work with it as the legitimate authority, whether that
government emerges from an agreement between the parties or
as the result of early elections.


5. (C) Ambassador reiterated the importance of working with
established aid delivery mechanisms such as the World Bank
Trust Fund, the PA's single treasury account, and the UN
Consolidated Appeal, and left a copy of reftel fact sheet on
these USG-supported mechanisms.


6. (C) Al Attiyah expressed his hope that the GCC and USG

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positions would be reconciled, and commented it was strange
that the world has raised billions to help the Palestinians
in Gaza and yet the parties are "reluctant to come together
to build their country."


7. (C) Separately, Al Attiyah noted that Qatar Foundation's
Reach Out to Asia (ROTA) charity has USD 78 million earmarked
for Gaza reconstruction, and is planning to work on building
37 schools. He was unfamiliar with all the details but
thought ROTA would be working with UNRWA, UNESCO, Save the
Children - Sweden, and Mercy Corps, among others.

LeBaron