Bahrain, Qatar to settle border disputes by 'brotherly' means

Bahrain and Qatar decided on Tuesday evening to form a joint higher committee to settle their border disputes by "brotherly means," but they did not withdraw the case from the International Court of Justice in the Hague.

A joint statement released at the conclusion of the visit held by Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khaleifa al-Thani to Bahrain and quoted by the Gulf News Agency said the two states had agreed to set up a joint higher committee under the chairmanship of the crown princes in both Qatar and Bahrain that discusses the possibility of settling the border disputes between the two states by "brotherly means."

The two sides are to continue debating the border disputes on the International court of justice, but if an amicable solution is reached, accepted by the two sides before the release of the final verdict of the International court of Justice, the case will be withdrawn from the said court at the bilateral agreement of the two sides.

Since 1986 relations between Bahrain and Qatar have been witnessing border disputes.

Qatar, who asks for restoring back to its control the islands of Hawar and Fash al-Dabble, controlled by Bahrain had submitted the case, unilaterally to the international court for justice, which will start deliberations on this matter by the end of May, 2000.

Al-Manama, on the other hand, calls for having Roubara district on the northern coast of Qatar.