HUMAN RIGHTS CHAIR TO CONSIDER POSTPONEMENT OF

UNCLAS DOHA 000089

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM KPAL WEBZ QA IS
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS CHAIR TO CONSIDER POSTPONEMENT OF
"WAR CRIMES" CONFERENCE

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(SBU) KEY POINTS
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-- At a February 4 meeting with National Human Rights
Committee Chairman Dr. Ali Said Al-Marri, Ambassador
expressed strong concern over the planned February 22-24
conference co-sponsored by the government-funded NHRC that
will gather international NGO's to debate alleged "Israeli
war crimes" in Gaza.

-- Ambassador noted that the conference was certain to become
a one-sided platform for criticizing Israel. Coupled with
the timing of the conference, scheduled to occur just a few
days after the US-Islamic World Forum, the USG could well
decide not to participate in the Forum.

-- Pressed by Ambassador about including treatment of human
rights violations by Hamas in the agenda, Al-Marri welcomed
the participation of NGOs with knowledge of such violations.

-- Al-Marri pledged to discuss with his counterparts in the
Qatar human rights community the possibility of postponing
the conference and report back to Ambassador. He did not
agree to seek a cancellation of the conference.

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COMMENTS
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-- The February 22-24 Conference has received extensive media
coverage, so it is unlikely the government-funded organizers
will even postpone the event, even if Dr. Al-Marri is
inclined to make that recommendation.

-- The NHRC has promised to provide us with a list of
conference invitees, which we will provide to Department
immediately upon receipt.

End Key Points and Comments.


1. (SBU) At a February 4 meeting with National Human Rights
Committee (NHRC) Chairman Ali Said Al-Marri, Ambassador
expressed deep concern over the planned February 22-24
"International Conference for the Promotion of Palestinian
Rights: Towards a Sustainable Active Alliance." The
Conference, which seeks "to monitor, document and publicize
Israeli violations of Palestinian inalienable rights" will be
co-sponsored by the NHRC and the Arab Democracy Foundation
(ADF) (Note: The ADF is a GOQ-funded organization whose
mission is to promote the transition to democracy in the
region. As NHRC Chairman, Al-Marri is also a Trustee of the
ADF. End Note)


2. (SBU) Ambassador noted that the Conference was scheduled
to take place in Doha February 22-24, less than one week
after the February 14-16 U.S. Islamic World Forum. He said
that the closeness of the events could easily lead to the
perception that the two events were linked. Given that the
"human rights" conference is certain to devolve into a
one-sided platform to criticize Israeli actions in Gaza, it
could well be very difficult for the U.S. to participate in
the Forum.


3. (SBU) Al-Marri stated that the conference was a gathering
of regional and international NGOs, including some from the
U.S, seeking to document Israeli actions in Gaza. When
Ambassador pointed out that the agenda did not include a
review of Hamas' actions during the conflict, the chairman
said he welcomed the participation of other NGOs which could
shed light on violations by Hamas.


4. (SBU) Al-Marri pledged to discuss with his counterparts in
the Qatar human rights community the possibility of
postponing the conference. He told Ambassador that he would
report back to him on February 5 concerning these discussions.
LeBaron