Qatar sends invitations to countries to attend MENA conference
Qatar, Economics, 10/4/1997

Qatar sent official invitations to Arab countries and Israel to participate in the Middle East-North Africa economic conference to be held in Doha next November. Qatar limited attendance to foreign ministers, thus Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not attend the conference.

Diplomatic sources believe that Qatar reduced the high profile representation to inform the Arab countries which intended to participate with their presidents that they will not be able to do so.

Qatar was afraid that no president or prime minister would attend the conference except Netanyahu, and it expects the Netanyahu to launch into violent rhetoric at the conference against the Arab countries that participate in the conference, which could turn into a political row instead of a discussion of economic issues. Netanyahu attacked the Arab countries during the 3rd MENA conference in Cairo, which made the Egyptian Foreign Minister reply strongly in order to stop him.

Qatar sent invitations to the foreign ministers of all countries but it is expected that the only the prime ministers to attend will be from Qatar and Israel, as all the other countries will participate with their ministers of economy and businessmen.

Up till now the Arab League did not confirm its participation in the conference though all the assistants of the secretary general declared that they are against holding the conference during this time in which the region and the peace process pass through many difficulties.

The secretary general of the Arab League, Dr. Esmat Abdel Meguid, called on his assistants to hold a meeting to study the possibility of participating in the conference and whether it is in the interests of the Arab countries or of Israel.

Dr.Abdel Meguid clarified that the conference is an opportunity to inform the world about the obstacles created by the Israeli Prime Minister on the peace track and its violations of the UN resolutions, the agreements of Oslo, Madrid and Cairo.

Previous Stories:
  Qatar downgrades status of Mena summit and sends invitations   (10/2/1997)
  AL secretary conditions participation in Doha conference on progress in peace   (9/23/1997)
  Qatar urged to cancel conference   (9/22/1997)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search