Qatar discloses mediation in Iraq, Libya and Sudan
Qatar-Iraq, Politics, 1/1/2004

The first deputy for the Qatari prime minister and the foreign minister, Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jabber al-Thani, via the "sansfrontier" program broadcast by the Qatari al-Jazeera TV yesterday, disclosed the nature of the role his country played to prevent the war against Iraq.

The Qatari minister explained that he had informed the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein during his last meeting with him, before the invasion, that frankly, his head ( Saddam) is wanted and that he has to take one rightful decision. He added "I told him I was sent to ask him to give up the authority and that war will eventually takw place, and that the US is serious." He added that during the meeting which lasted for two hours, Saddam Hussein questioned calmly and bitterly that he understands Kuwait's providing facilities to the Americans to launch an attack against his country because he had already invaded it, but questioned why Qatar is providing such facilities?" The Qatari minister answered that Qatar has security agreements and obligations with the US and that Doha honors these obligations.

The Qatari minister denied that Saddam was angry at him, or that he had asked him to leave, noting that he listened attentively and without remarks. He added he proposed to Saddam Hussein to quit, noting he did not expect Hussein to accept this offer which was given directly, rather, he expected Saddam to quit the authority later, or to organize free elections under the supervision of the UN, so as he will be able to leave the authority in an appropriate way.

On the existence of foreign forces in Iraq, Sheik Hamad Bin Jasem said that this was internationally legalized at resolutions by the UN Security Council. He stressed that if these forces are not to be in Iraq for the time being, Iraq might be converted to a state like Somalia.

Sheikh Jasem also called on the Iraqis to focus on the future of their country. He questioned the use of resisting occupation, if the departure of this occupation will result in chaos in Iraq, at the time being. He stressed that resistance will not accelerate the departure of the Americans from Iraq.

He indicated that certain strategic objectives were attained by the invasion of Iraq:"first, Saddam Hussein is not in power, second the weapons are not there, and thirdly, there is the attempt to make of Iraq an example for democracy in the region." The Qatari foreign minister also disclosed the mediation Qatar made between Libya, on the one hand, the USA and Britain, on the other, in order that Tripoli will quit its armament program, noting that this role was not central, and had started by the beginning of 2003.

The minister described the decision of the Libyan leader to this effect as wise.

He also unveiled Doha's role in bringing view points together between Khartoum and Washington, following Qatar's fears of dividing Sudan, in light of inter-Arab differences, expressing happiness over a nearby peace agreement in Sudan.

On the relations with Israel, the Qatari minister explained that Doha's relations with Tel Aviv is limited to an almost frozen trade office. But he also indicated contacts Qatar makes with Israeli officials, declared by the mass media, stressing that such contacts are made to bring together view of the Israelis and the Palestinians.

Previous Stories:
  Qatar and the realization of ME peace   (12/8/2003)
  Iraqi police detains al-Jazira correspondent in al-Ramadi   (7/18/2003)
  Qatari FM official: No Qatari mediation between Kuwait, Amr Moussa   (5/7/2003)
  Al-Jazeera TV intends to withdraw correspondents from Iraq, following killing   (4/9/2003)
  Al-Jazira TV freezes work of its correspondents in Iraq   (4/3/2003)
  Iraqi presidential envoy visits Doha on Monday   (10/4/2002)
  Qatari official: our lands will not be base for American attack against Iraq   (9/13/2002)
  Qatar's foreign minister heads today for Baghdad   (8/26/2002)

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