QATARI INTELLECTUALS TO FELTMAN: PROBLEMS? WHAT PROBLEMS?

UNCLAS DOHA 000402

SENSITIVE, SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPAO SOCI QA
SUBJECT: QATARI INTELLECTUALS TO FELTMAN: PROBLEMS? WHAT PROBLEMS?

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(SBU) KEY POINTS
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-- (U) A small but influential group of Qatari intellectuals told
NEA Acting A/S Jeffrey Feltman on June 16 that, despite differences
in approach on certain regional political issues, the U.S.-Qatari
relationship was comprehensive and strong.

-- (SBU) Dr. Shaykha al-Misned, President of Qatar University, said
the "average Qatari" viewed the six U.S. universities, the military
bases, and American companies here as emblematic of a deep
partnership.

-- (SBU) Dr. Hassan al-Ansari, an Amiri advisor, explained that the
Qatari leadership felt slighted by the previous administration,
which only widened gaps in the political relationship. But greater
attention paid at high levels to Qatar, a strategic partner of the
United States, could help resolve areas in which we disagree.

-- (SBU) The group praised the President's Cairo speech, and Dr.
Abdalla al-Thani, Vice President of Qatar Foundation, noted that
plans were afoot to help President Obama implement elements of his
vision.

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COMMENTS
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-- (SBU) The comments of these intellectuals track closely with
what we hear from virtually all of our other contacts: differences
in approach to groups like Hamas, Hizbollah and the Iranian regime
are dwarfed by the rest of our relationship, including billions of
dollars invested by American companies, billions invested by the
Qataris in U.S. educational institutions, and billions invested in a
strong and strategic military relationship.

-- (SBU) Given the insularity of Qatari society and governmental
decision making, however, it is also true that these contacts, like
most other Qataris, are probably not fully aware of Qatar's
diplomacy with Iran, or Lebanese and Palestinian groups.

END KEY POINTS


1. (SBU) On June 16, Acting Assistant Secretary for Near East
Affairs Jeffrey Feltman met with seven influential Qatari
intellectuals at the Ambassador's residence to hear their views on
Qatar. Dr. Hassan al-Ansari, who is simultaneously a professor of
political science at Qatar University, Editor in Chief of English
daily "Qatar Tribune," and an advisor at the Amiri Diwan, took the
floor first.


2. (SBU) Hassan explained that the Qatari leadership had felt
neglected and disrespected by the previous administration,
especially when President Bush visited UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and
Saudi Arabia in January 2008, "deliberately jumping over Qatar as if
we didn't exist."


3. (SBU) An effort by the new administration to treat Qatar "like
the strategic partner that it is" could go a long way toward closing
the gaps we have in our approaches to certain regional political
issues, Hassan advised. "But even if we do not close those gaps,"
Hassan continued, "these are differences we can live with, given the
strong relations we have regarding the military, education, and
trade."


4. (SBU) Dr. Shaykha al-Misned, President of Qatar University and
the aunt of Shaykha Mozah, the Amir's Consort, added, "And what
differences do we have anyway?" To the average Qatari, she
explained, Qatar and the United States have the closest possible
relations. The six U.S. universities, the military bases and the
American companies operating in Qatar are all emblematic of those
relations, she said.


5. (SBU) "We all love the United States - we send our children
there, we vacation there, we feel like we are part of it. Why would
we believe otherwise?" Dr. Shaykha asked.


6. (SBU) Dr. Abdalla al-Thani, Vice President for Education at the
Qatar Foundation, praised President Obama's June 4 speech in Cairo
as an important step forward in repairing relationships across the
region and the world. He advised that Qatar Foundation is working
on a specific, large-scale idea to help implement the President's
vision. Abdalla asked to meet soon with Embassy officers to share
details of that plan.


7. (U) AA/S Feltman has cleared this cable.

LEBARON