Bahrain's crown prince in Doha to eliminate reasons behind disputes
Bahrain-Qatar, Politics, 5/21/1999

In a remarkable step, Bahrain's crown prince, who is also the commander general of Bahrain's defence forces, Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad al-Khaleifa, started on Thursday a visit to Qatar, which is his first since he assumed power.

He expressed his hope that reasons behind the "border disputes between the two countries" will be eliminated. Bahrain's crown prince met with the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Jasem Bin Hamad al-Thani, with Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jaber al-Thani, Minister of Civil Services Affairs and Housing Sheikh Falah Bin Jasem and chairman of the Emiri court Divan Abdullah Bin Khaleifa al-Atuyah.

The two sides reviewed the firm relations between the two states and means of boosting bilateral cooperation. Bahrain's crown prince conveyed a message to Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa from the emir of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Kheifa, combined with his best wishes for "progress in the relations between the two peoples."

Meanwhile, Qatari and Iranian as well as Bahraini sources said that Iranian President Muhammad Khatami received the Bahraini crown prince on Thursday and discussed with him bilateral relations and means of developing them.

Following the meeting, Bahrain's crown prince stressed to the Qatar News Agency the importance of continuing such meetings between the two countries, Iran and Bahrain, adding that such meetings would contribute to settling disputes between the countries of the region for the benefit of the people of the region and will be "conducive to their further security and stability."

The delegations which accompanied President Khatami and the Bahraini crown prince attended the meeting in al-Marmar palace, Khatami's residence during his stay in Doha.

The Qatar News Agency reported that Bahrain's crown prince expressed upon his arrival in Doha his hope "that the reasons for disputes between the two countries will be eliminated." He expressed his confidence that this visit will "constitute an occasion to strengthen fraternal relations between the two countries."

Crown Prince Salman is accompanied by a delegation comprising Minister of State for Education Abdul Aziz Muhammad al-Fadel and other officials concerned.

The visit of the Bahraini crown prince to Qatar is the first for a Bahraini official since Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa al-Khaleifa assumed power in Bahrain in succession of his father the late Sheikh Issa Bin Salman al-Khaleifa. The visit falls in the course of a Gulf tour being held by Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad.

The question of border disputes between Qatar and Bahrain is still at the International Court of Justice. Qatar has reiterated its position concerning the border disputes. Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jaber al-Thani said that "This issue (the border issue) can be sorted out by two ways: either the fraternal solution or international arbitration which will avoid us misunderstanding."

The Qatari FM said that the disputes between the two states will be eliminated eventually. Qatar News Agency quoted Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasem as saying that the "dispute can be solved amicably if this issue is withdrawn from the ICJ (International Court of Justice), and if an amicable solution cannot be found, the court will be the last resort." He expressed hope for "further normalization between the two countries" will take place.

Previous Stories:
  Bahraini dailies urge Qatar to withdraw border dispute from International court   (5/7/1999)
  Ministerial committees to strengthen cooperation between Tehran, Manama   (5/5/1999)
  Ruler of Bahrain calls for integration with Qatar   (4/29/1999)

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