Qatar - Saudi friction continue as FM tours Kuwait and Bahrain
Qatar-Gulf, Politics, 7/22/2002

The Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jaber al-Khalifa arrived back home in Doha on Sunday evening after a tour that covered the state of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

On Sunday morning, the foreign minister conveyed a verbal message to Kuwait's Amir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah from the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani relating to relations between the two states and issues of concern to the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC member states.

The Qatari foreign minister conveyed the message during the meeting with the ruler of Kuwait at Bayan Palace in the presence of the Qatari first deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

Later in the day, the Qatari foreign minister arrived in Manama where he conveyed a message from Qatar's Amir to the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa al Khalifa, relating to bilateral relations and issues of concern to the GCC member states. The message was conveyed during the meeting held between the viceroy Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad al Khalifa and crown prince with the Qatari foreign minister at al-Rafaa palace on Sunday afternoon.

The Qatari foreign minister said upon his arrival in Kuwait on Saturday evening concerning what has been said about a Qatari- Saudi differences: "Hopefully there will be no differences. And if there is any it will be settled in the context of fraternal relations linking the GCC member states." He said, we have asked Riyadh to for us to visit them, and the reply to our request is at the hand of Saudi Arabia." The Qatari minister added replying to another question whether Qatar or the Qatari al-Jazeera TV station will submit an apology to Saudi Arabia, the Qatari foreign minister said "We are here to make consultations rather than to talk about an apology," noting "we will discuss any made mistake and we will settle it in the context of the ties of fraternity linking the GCC member states."

The Qatari TV station al-Jazeera has, due to its open coverage of many issues, caused the strong anger of Saudi Arabia's officials in the past.

He said replying to another question "It seems that al-Jazeera will cause a permanent crack for us." On whether Saudi Arabia will take part in the next GCC summit to be held in Doha, the Qatari foreign minister said this matter is "premature," stressing that Doha welcomes and will be happy to receive all GCC member states.

Answering another question concerning the situation in Iraq, the Qatari foreign minister explained that there is coordination among the GCC member states on this issue, adding this fact is reflected in the statements issued by the GCC member states in this regard.

Previous Stories:
  Kuwait denies mediation in Saudi- Qatari difference   (7/18/2002)
  Qatar initially approved the GCC customs law   (7/2/2002)
  Ruler of Qatar, Saudi crown prince discussed in Casablanca current conditions   (4/17/2002)
  Ruler of Qatar to visit al-Riyadh on Sunday   (10/24/2001)
  Four Arab Gulf states agree on the Qatari candidate for the GCC secretary post   (7/17/2001)
  Gulf tour for US defense secretary   (10/4/1999)

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