The Hague court settles Qatar- Bahrain border disputes tomorrow
Qatar-Bahrain, Politics, 3/15/2001

Tomorrow, relations between Qatar and Bahrain will pass an important test as the International court of Justice at the Hague will give its sentence on the old disputes between the two Arab states concerning sovereignty over small islands in the Arab Gulf.

Well-informed sources in Doha said the ruler of Qatar Sheikh hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani will deliver a speech on Friday upon the issuance of the court's verdict in which he will talk about the " future of relations " between the two countries, which means after the fate of Hawar, Fishet al-Dubble and al-Zabbara islands is decided.

In the same day, the Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem al Thani will hold a press conference at the Hague where he will preside over his country's delegation to the court.

An official in Doha said that the " public opinion and the authorities follow up with great interest the decision of the International court of justice," but the source refused expectations to this effect. However, the same reservation has been prevailing in al-Manama where the Bahraini officials abstain from commenting on the end of the conflict which was about to reach a state of confrontation between the two countries.

The importance of the islands lies in that its territories are rich in oil and gas controlled by Bahrain and Qatar calls for having them back, while Bahrain calls for having al-Zabara area on the northern east coast of Qatar.

Previous Stories:
  International court postpones the decision on Qatar, Bahrain   (3/7/2001)
  Ruler of Qatar arrives in Bahrain today to congratulate over the referendum   (3/2/2001)
  On the border disputes between Bahrain and Qatar   (1/16/2001)

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