ADM OLSON DISCUSSES MILITARY RELATIONSHIP WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 000204

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2019
TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV QA
SUBJECT: ADM OLSON DISCUSSES MILITARY RELATIONSHIP WITH
SENIOR QATARIS DURING DOHA VISIT

Classified By: Ambassador Joseph E. LeBaron for reasons 1.4 (b and d).

--------------
(C) KEY POINTS
--------------

-- The Chief of Staff (COS) of the Qatar Armed Forces (QAF)
MG Hamad AL Attiyah expressed to visiting USSOCOM Commander
ADM Eric Olson March 15 his satisfaction with the quality of
training his forces had received and his desire that the QAF
engage in more special operations activity.

-- MG Al Attiyah and Commander of Qatar's Internal Security
Forces (ISF) Sheikh Abdulla bin Nasser Al Thani were open to
ADM Olson's suggestion that the two countries engage in staff
exchanges, visits by subject matter experts, and the
possibility that Qataris could lecture at U.S. military
training facilities.

-- On Iraq and Afghanistan, MG Al Attiyah said Qatar would
not be able to work with the U.S. outside of Qatar "at this
time," citing the ongoing reorganization of the Qatari
special forces.

-- Although reluctant to discuss Iraq, MG Al Attiyah
observed that Sunni elements needed to be brought back into
the government to counter Al Qaida influence; he was unsure
of steps other countries in the region might take if Iran
seeks to expand its influence in Iraq after the U.S.
withdrawal.

-- Sheikh Abdulla reported to ADM Olson that Qatar is now
engaged in fighting the traffic of drugs, particularly
hashish, in the Gulf.

--------------
(C) COMMENTS
--------------

-- The relationship between Sheikh Abdulla and MG Al Attiyah
will continue to be vital as Qatar continues to develop the
means to provide security for its critical energy
infrastructure and the combating of narco-trafficking.

--An overarching theme of the visit was the willingness of
the QAF and ISF to participate and train with U.S.Special
Forces. The positive exchange with ADM Olson has provided a
foundation for future Qatar-U.S. initiatives.

End Key Points and Comments.

1.(C) Over dinner at the Ambassador's residence March 15 with
Commander of Qatar's Internal Security Forces (ISF) Sheikh
Abdulla bin Nasser Al Thani and the Chief of Staff (COS) of
the Qatar Armed Forces (QAF) MG Hamad AL Attiyah, USSOCOM
Commander ADM Eric Olson and Ambassador LeBaron reviewed past
Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) exercises conducted
primarily with the ISF, and discussed the possibility of
future JCETs with the Coast Guard (which reports to MOI) and
the ISF.


2. (C) QAF/US SPECIAL FORCES EFFORTS: MG Al Attiyah
expressed his desire to see the Qatar Armed Forces engage in
more special operations activity. Sheikh Abdulla added that
he was very pleased with quality of training that his
organization has been receiving. (In a separate office call
with ADM Olson and Ambassador, MG Al Attiyah spoke highly of
joint training between the two countries and expressed
interest in having the U.S. train Qatari cadets who will
travel to Mongolia in Fall 2009. MG Al Attiyah added that he
would like U.S. Special Forces officers to travel to Qatar to
discuss opportunities for further training, but he recognizes
that this is difficult given the demands in Iraq and
Afghanistan.)


3. (C) ADM Olson suggested pursuing the possibility of small
staff exchanges, subject matter expert (SME) visits, and
using Qataris as lecturers at the Joint Special Operations
University and other training facilities. His Qatari
interlocutors said there may be value in pursuing these
activities. Ambassador said Embassy Doha would follow up, in
coordination with CENTCOM and SOCOM.


4. (C) QATAR ASSISTANCE ABROAD: Asked if Qatar would be
willing to work with the U.S. outside of Qatar, possibly in
Iraq or Afghanistan, MG Al Attiyah said quote not at this
time unquote. He said this was for reasons of timing. Qatar
is currently reorganizing its special forces and does not
have the right type or number of people, or the right

DOHA 00000204 002 OF 002


equipment to deploy. Although progress is being made in
these areas, the COS would find it difficult to support U.S.
efforts abroad in the foreseeable future.


5. (C) GHQ/MOI COOPERATION: Sheikh Abdulla and MG Al Attiyah
described the strong relationship that exists between their
two organizations. Al Attiyah said whenever Sheikh Abdulla
is in need of personnel or equipment from the QAF, he is
quick to respond. (NOTE: It was interesting to observe
Sheikh Abdulla and MG Al Attiyah together. At times we have
heard of on-going turf battles between their two
organizations, but this was not evident on this particular
evening with the Ambassador and ADM Olson. Both men arrived
and departed in the same vehicle, and it was common to hear
MG Al Attiyah refer to Sheikh Abdulla as quote Brother bin
Nasser unquote. End note.)


6. (C) IRAQ: ADM Olson solicited MG Al Attiyah's thoughts on
Iraq only to have the COS return the question to ADM Olson.
ADM Olson said the real issue appears to be establishing an
enduring army and system of governance. ADM Olson said he
believed that Iraq would re-emerge as an economically healthy
country, and he believes Iraq has entered a period where
threats would come more from within its borders than outside
of them.


7. (C) MG Al Attiyah offered that Iraq needs to continue to
bring the Sunnis back into the government in order to drive
out Al Qaida. He also spoke of how he was unsure of the
Middle East's regional response to Iran if Iran expands its
influence into Iraq after an American withdrawal.


8. (C) SMUGGLING EFFORTS IN THE GULF: A major concern for
the Qataris, according to Sheikh Abdulla, is combating
narco-trafficking efforts in the Gulf. Hashish, he said, is
the most common drug found, and MG Al Attiyah added that the
smugglers use a "networked effort," alluding to satellite
communications techniques and high-speed boats which are
difficult to track on Qatari radar.
LeBaron