Bahrain says Qatar is forging documents
Bahrain-Qatar-International Court of Justice, Politics, 4/20/1998

Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa said that although Bahrain "does not wish to accuse any individual," Qatar has submitted 82 forged documents in support of its case currently pending in the International Court of Justice, Gulf News Agency reported.

The two Gulf states are locked in a dispute over "sovereign rights over the shoals of Dibal and Qit'at Jaradah, and the delimitation of the maritime area," which is being heard by the court.

In September 1996 Qatar submitted reproductions of 81 documents as part of its testimony before the court, and another on December 31, 1997. The Bahraini minister said Bahrain had the documents examined by more than ten experts who examined the originals and determined that the documents were forgeries, the report said.

The International Court of Justice decided on March 30 that Qatar should submit a report by September 30, 1998, responding to the Bahraini allegations that the documents are forged. The response is to contain Qatar's "detailed and definitive position on the question of the authenticity of each of the documents challenged by Bahrain."

The court also set March 30 1999 as the deadline for Bahrain to respond to the Qatari report.

The Bahraini minister stated that to his knowledge, there has never been an instance of such a widespread use of forged evidence in an international dispute, and said the case could not continue until the issue of the evidence is resolved, GNA said.

Previous Stories:
  International Court moves on Lockerbie, Qatar - Bahrain disputes   (4/2/1998)
  Qatar and Bahrain reply in borderline dispute   (1/2/1998)
  Bahrain expresses hopes for enhanced relationship with Qatar   (12/22/1997)

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