Qatar, playing all sides, is a nonstop mediat
This article from the International Herald Tribune provides a good insight into some of the work Qatar does outside of its borders, through both financial aid and diplomacy. To hear some of the reactions of the rest of the world is also interesting.
I haven't re-printed it all below as it is quite long, but you can read the full article here.
In the past month, after Qatari diplomats brokered a landmark peace deal for Lebanon in talks here, this tiny emirate on the Gulf has enjoyed a brief moment of giddy celebrity.
Editorialists praised the Qatari emir as a modern-day Metternich. Huge billboards went up on the road to the Beirut airport, proclaiming, "We all say: Thank you Qatar." An ice cream shop in central Beirut put out a sign offering a Doha Agreement Cone.
But the Qataris did not linger over their diplomatic triumph. They were too busy trying to solve every other conflict in the Middle East.
In the past year alone, the Qatari foreign minister, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani (widely known as HBJ), has flown his jet — repeatedly — everywhere from Morocco to Libya to Yemen, using charm, guile and large amounts of money to mediate disputes, with varying success.
This work has not always earned him gratitude. In an increasingly divided Arab world, the Qataris have fashioned a reputation for themselves as independent-minded arbitrators who will cozy up to anyone — Iran, Israel, Chechen separatists — in pursuit of leverage at the bargaining table.
"We don't have an agenda, and we don't keep all our eggs in one basket," said Hassan al-Ansari, the director of gulf studies at Qatar University.
That is putting it mildly. Qatar has close ties with Iran, yet it also is host to one of the world's biggest American air bases. It is home both to Israeli officials and to hard-line Islamists who advocate Israel's destruction; to Al Jazeera, the controversial satellite TV station; and (at least until recently) to Saddam Hussein's widow. Saudi Arabia is a trusted ally, but so is Saudi Arabia's nemesis Syria, whose president, Bashar al-Assad, received an Airbus as a personal gift from the Qatari emir this year.
"They really put all the contradictions of the Middle East in one box," said Mustafa Alani, a security analyst at the Gulf Research Center in Dubai.
The Qataris also back their diplomacy with some eclectic investments. Many Americans know about the emir's gift of $100 million to help Hurricane Katrina victims, but Qatar is also building a $1.5 billion oil refinery in Zimbabwe, a huge residential complex in Sudan and a $350 million tourist project in Syria.
Continues here.
I still remember the time when HH the Emir came back from US/UK after his Kidney operation & the joy / Festivities that was celebrated here.
Watching the Emir in his car n his son the crown prince driving it was a sight to behold
Being an expat (Non National) this was the only opportunity that we (my famaly n lot of others) had to see the ruler of a nation in flesh n bllod.
staying here for the past 18 years i've seen
Qatar - Before this Emir & Now.
I still remember when i had to say to my friends
" I'm working in Qatar "
The response normally used to be
" Qatar - Where ? "
Those were the days .................................
Wising the Emir n his Family all the best wishes .....
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The happiest people on this planet are not those who live on their own terms but are those who change their terms for the ones whom they love..
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I love Qatari Emir !
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In fact we need one like him in Roumania!
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In few years he can save our country and you'll apply for a job there! :)
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Not that funny, considering that the International Herald Tribune is the global edition of the New York Times!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/world/middleeast/09qatar.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=qatar&st=cse&oref=slogin
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"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can
be counted counts."
-- Albert Einstein
A friend-with-all policy is good, until the radicals get too hot under the collar. There are some bad apples in every basket.
You and Gypsy already said everything I wanted to say, about radicals getting edgy and about looking into the problems at one's own backyard. I think that this international media attention will certainly help.
Once a country become famous and is under intense media scrutiny, all of its internal workings will be closely watched. Once this happens (as is happening to Qatar now) things have to look up. Just give them a little time.
This is a tiny nation, still coming to terms with its new-found role of world mediator. Give it time and it will go the only way it should - UP!
Accepting that there are N number of internal probnlems to be solved, I am still proud about the way they are projecting themselves to the world. Its a positive vibe that they are emanating. I think it is the right way forward.
Exactly.
Visit www.qatarhappening.com
Yes, that's a serious concern Gypsy. I also wonder if we'll see more reactions like Ethiopia's, where a country feels that Qatar has gone too far helping out an enemy and as a result the cut all ties with them.
I don't think they'll ever have problems with any official governments, but I fear about radicals. There's people out there that think that Qatar even speaking to Israel, let alone allowing Israeli dignitaties into the country, is a punishable offence, and I fear some looney might seek revenge.
Visit www.qatarhappening.com
Yes, I'm inclined to agree that they should look in their own back yard before trying to solve the rest of the worlds problems, but I do admire what they're doing for other countries.
Do you think their "friends with everyone" approach will ever seriously backfire?
I have so much respect for what the Emir is trying to do, and I sincerely hope that it doesn't back fire on him.
However (isn't there always a however) I really wish he'd focus on solving some of the problems here in Qatar! The deportation of the child molester the other day and the poor human rights record here will only hurt Qatar's image worldwide and make it more difficult for them to look credible while trying to solve these problems.
Visit www.qatarhappening.com
Good report. and there is still alot more to come.
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