QATAR PUBLICLY WELCOMES PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE TO IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 000202 SIPDIS DHAKA FOR P/E E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2019 TAGS: PREL IR QA SUBJECT: QATAR PUBLICLY WELCOMES PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE TO IRAN Classified By: Ambassador Joseph E. LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b and d) -------------- (U) KEY POINTS -------------- -- On March 21, the MFA released an official statement to Qatar's News Agency welcoming President Obama's recent videotaped message to the people of Iran. -- The statement praised the message as "positive and constructive" and encouraged "practical steps" forward. -------------- (C) COMMENTS -------------- -- Qatar, for practical the reason of sharing enormous natural gas wealth with Iran, has long-standing ties to Tehran and has long encouraged the USG to open a direct dialogue with the Government of Iran. -- The U.S. can expect Qatar to be a quiet ally in the President's efforts to reach out to Iran. -- We encourage Secretary Clinton to raise Iran with Qatar's Prime Minister, Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, should they meet in Washington at the Prime Minister's request in early April. End Key Points and Comment. ¶1. (U) On March 21, an unidentified source at the MFA made an official statement welcoming President Obama's recent videotaped message to the people of Iran. The statement was issued through the Qatar News Agency, a copy of which MFA provided to the Embassy. ¶2. (U) The following is an unofficial Government of Qatar translation of the message: "The State of Qatar, which has always called for the adoption of dialogue as the sole means of settling disputes and differences among nations, commends the statement by the American President, and considers it a positive and constructive step. The State of Qatar looks forward to further practical steps aimed at establishing a serious political dialogue to address all issues, and with a view toward reinforcing the pillars of security and stability in the region and the world at large." LeBaron