The tiny oil rich Qatar is under strict sanctions from its neighbours led by Saudi Arabia for allegedly supporting terrorism. To all discerning minds, the allegation seems to be a mere phantom going by the conditions given to Qatar before the sanctions will be lifted.
Since when did the foreign policy of a sovereign country becomes exclusive preserve of another? Without no clear evidence of Qatar’s backing of terrorism, the 13 conditions set by Saudi Arabia and its allies was a clear interference in Qatar’s domestic affairs which are its prerogative. It’s like imposing guardianship on the country. Below is the 13-point demand:
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani
- Curb diplomatic ties with Iran and close its diplomatic missions there. Expel members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard from Qatar and cut off any joint military cooperation with Iran. Only trade and commerce with Iran that complies with US and international sanctions will be permitted.
- Sever all ties to terrorist organisations, specifically the Muslim Brotherhood, ISIL, Al Qaeda, and Hizbollah. Formally declare those entities as terrorist groups.
- Shut down Al Jazeera and its affiliate stations.
- Shut down news outlets that Qatar funds, directly and indirectly, including Arabi21, Rassd, Al Araby Al Jadeed and Middle East Eye.
- Immediately terminate the Turkish military presence currently in Qatar and end any joint military cooperation with Turkey inside Qatar.
- Stop all means of funding for individuals, groups or organisations that have been designated as terrorists by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, the US and other countries.
- Hand over terrorist figures and wanted individuals from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain to their countries of origin. Freeze their assets, and provide any desired information about their residency, movements and finances.
- End interference in sovereign countries’ internal affairs. Stop granting citizenship to wanted nationals from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. Revoke Qatari citizenship for existing nationals where such citizenship violates those countries’ laws.
- Stop all contacts with the political opposition in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. Hand over all files detailing Qatar’s prior contacts with and support for those opposition groups.
- Pay reparations and compensation for loss of life and other, financial losses caused by Qatar’s policies in recent years. The sum will be determined in coordination with Qatar.
- Align itself with the other Gulf and Arab countries militarily, politically, socially and economically, as well as on economic matters, in line with an agreement reached with Saudi Arabia in 2014.
- Agree to all the demands within 10 days of it being submitted to Qatar, or the list becomes invalid. The document doesn’t specify what the countries will do if Qatar refuses to comply.
Only one condition truly makes sense which is the admonition to Qatar to stop funding of individuals or groups with tendency to perpetrate terrorist acts. All other stated conditions are simply bullying.
It’s an open secret that many of the gulf nations are not happy with Al-Jazeera as it exposes the mammoth human rights abuses and misdeeds of the governments. Any call to close to down or curtail Al-Jazeera is nothing but an attempt to muzzle the only true voice of the masses in the region and suppress freedom of expression. What right do Saudi Arabia and others have to tell Qatar to align its foreign foreign policies in line with them? Qatar as a sovereign country should be able to form friendship and alliances. Mandating it to close the Turkey’s military base and reduce engagement with Iran is preposterous, condescending and absolutely irrational. Will Saudi or Egypt accept such a condition from Qatar or any of present acolytes working against Qatar?
Why on earth should Qatar pay compensation for loss of life and other, financial losses? Has Saudi paid compensation to the families of the victims of 9-11? Do unto others what you want them to do to you. Moreover, is there any evidence that Qatar is responsible for the alleged losses?
This crisis mustn’t be allowed to threaten the political stability of the ruling family in Qatar in the short or long term. The US, EU and other well meaning nations must rise up and put an end to this Saudi led gang up against Qatar, real intention of which is not yet disclosed. Saudi must learn how to pull its weight as a unifying factor and stop bullying its smaller neighbour, it’s engineered carnage and violations in Yemen will be accounted for in the future. The Middle East need peace not another senseless crisis.
