Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DOHA202
2009-03-22 10:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Doha
Cable title:
QATAR PUBLICLY WELCOMES PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE TO IRAN
how-toVZCZCXRO6445 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK DE RUEHDO #0202 0811041 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 221041Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY DOHA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8877 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0171
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.
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
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