IT
has been a year since the outbreak of the Gulf crisis. In fact, what
brings the State of Qatar together with its neighbours is more than what
separates it from them, especially, its geographical neighbours that I
can simply say it is historical, because these countries united by
blood, language, religion and common history.
However, the hacking of the Qatar News
Agency (QNA) website on 23rd of May, 2017 and broadcasting a fabricated
statement attributed to H. H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al- Thani, Emir of
the State of Qatar.
The fake news- that have been used as a
pretext to accuse the State of Qatar-aired on several networks belonging
to neighbouring countries involved in this crisis, sparking a
diplomatic breakdown.
We were surprised on 5th of June 2017 that
these countries have cut off their diplomatic relations with Qatar and
recalled diplomatic representatives, closed diplomatic missions imposed
land, air and sea embargo.
Preventing Qatari students from continuing
to study in these countries, taking individual and collective measures
against Qatari citizens, infiltration of Qatari airspace, and
disintegration of family members of the countries involved, are some of
many other violations based on unilateral decision.
The four countries have claimed that Qatar
works to support “terrorism”, and meddles in the internal affairs of
their countries. The response from the State of Qatar was that no
legitimate justification for the actions taken by the four countries to
sever diplomatic relations and that the decision was a violation of
Qatar’s sovereignty.
The ultimate objective of these measures
in the end is to weakening the Qatari economy and currency in order to
entice the Qatari people to revolt against their leadership, and to
isolate Qatar regionally and internationally, but failed.
They have issued a 13-point demand list to
be met by Qatar. However, Doha has rejected these false accusations,
and rejected the failed attempt of custodianship imposition or prejudice
to its dignity or sovereignty.
Many political leaders and analysts saw
that the 13-point list was difficult to implement and destined to be
rejected, and that what it was. Such a crisis does not serve the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC) objectives, of which the State of Qatar is one
of its founding members.
The State of Kuwait moved to mediate to
find a way out of the crisis. The Kuwaiti commendable effort become in a
short time an international initiative approved and supported by many
countries around the world.
The shuttle diplomacy adopted by the
Qatari leadership, represented by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al
Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, and H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin
Abdulrahman Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign
Affairs, and officials of the Government of the State of Qatar played a
major role in managing the crisis.
Qatar is adhering to the country’s
obligations, and that dialogue is the way for finding a solution to this
crisis. We reject any attempt to dictate it or to undermine the
independence of our country’s national sovereignty.
Both H.H. the Emir of Qatar and the
country’s foreign minister have reiterated that Qatar is willing to
negotiate with the boycotting countries, and have welcomed calls from
international leaders for the parties to sit down around a table.
The Emir said in a speech to the UN
General Assembly in September last year “We have refused to yield to
dictations by pressure and siege.” The State of Qatar has lodged
complaints with the Human Rights Council of the United Nations’ and
World Trade Organization (WTO) as well as with the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) about the violations committed by these
countries.
The Qatari Compensation Committee also
estimated the losses incurred by these countries in billions of dollars.
We have expanded trade and diplomatic relations under our wise
leadership with many countries during last year, signed some agreements
and memoranda of understanding with world powers, such as the agreement
on Combating Financing of Terrorism with the United States.
Even though almost a year has passed, the
State of Qatar exhibited comprehensive growth and development in all
sectors despite the challenging environment due to the unjust blockade.
In fact, there is no economic impact made by the blockade, if any, it is
may be a moral one.
My country strengthened its partnerships,
alliances, thwarted plots, and accusations labeled against it. Moreover,
Qatar received International praise for the role it is playing as a key
partner in the fight against terrorism, as Qatari citizens and
residents alike are standing up against the siege without differences.
Qatar’s foreign reserves increased, this
strong position partly supported by continued improvement in Qatar’s
balance of trade, reliance on locally processed products, in addition to
the ongoing efforts to increase its production of gas from 77 million
tons to 100 million tons.
Diversification of the economy taken to a
new height with the opening of Hamad Port, one of the biggest ports in
the Middle East, which is the symbol of the Qatari resistance in the
face of the unjustified blockade.
Worth mentioning, Qatar Airways continued
to be amongst the best airline companies in the world. The national
carrier of Qatar has played a vital role in securing essential needs,
and the inauguration of Hamad Port has been a crucial factor in breaking
the blockade.
Qatar’s achievements were realized despite
the blockading countries making relentless efforts to disrupt and
obstruct them by various means, which started with the blockade itself,
and included pressure on other countries in addition to even spreading
rumors and fabrications, and acting against hosting of the World Cup in
2022 by Qatar.
However, Qatar is on track to complete the
World Cup facilities and their associated services as scheduled. These
countries severed relations between common families in addition to
Qatari’s seeking to perform Haj and Umrah face difficulties.
Despite all these violations, the State of
Qatar remains steadfast in its position that dialogue is the way to
find a solution to this crisis, and not by dictating and imposing
conditions and demands on a sovereign country.
Qatar remains safe and stable, carrying on
its humanitarian responsibilities around the world, and as such, its
wise leadership have aborted the plot in its earliest stage, as this
embargo has failed to undermine the state of Qatar and its people.
Qatar has emerged stronger and food and medicine production has increased exponentially.
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