For years Doha has survived on rumours. It's also governed by rumours. It's leaked and if there is a bad response then it doesn't happen. No response and it will happen.
The issue of booze was the same. Larry Belsito, manager of the Gulf Hotel (Is it the Marriot now?) told me in 1984 that they were considering licencing the restaurants. It didn't actually happen until late 1995.
I had a friend who brought a piglet in on a lead and said it was a dog but customs didn't buy it.