UAE: No word on Qatari response to our demands
July 5, 2017 | 12:05 AM
UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (R) gives a press conference with German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. — AFP
July 5, 2017 | 12:05 AM
Last Updated: July 5, 2017 | 12:05 AM
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ABU DHABI — United Arab Emirates’ Foreign Minister Shiekh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan said on Tuesday that Arab nations have yet to receive details on Qatar’s response to demands they made as part of a diplomatic crisis gripping the Gulf.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt cut ties with Qatar early last month over its support for extremist groups and ties with Iran.
“To defeat terrorism, we must confront extremism, we must confront hate speech, we must confront the harboring and sheltering of extremists and terrorists, and funding them,” he said.
“Unfortunately we in this region see that our sister nation of Qatar has allowed and harbored and encouraged all of this.”
“Enough is enough,” he added.
“We are still waiting for the response from our brothers in Kuwait regarding the paper they received from Qatar,” the Emirati foreign minister said.
“Once we examine it among ourselves, we will take the decision. ... We will not do it through the media, but through a Kuwaiti mediator or our own direct contacts with His Highness,” an apparent reference to the Qatari emir.
Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are scheduled to meet Wednesday in Cairo to discuss the crisis.
“Any steps taken by these countries in case Qatar fails to respond will be taken within the framework of international law, including the procedures that sovereign states have the right to take against another country,” Sheikh Abdullah said.
Asked about any further sanctions, Sheikh Abdullah advised caution.
“I think it is premature to talk about the extra sanctions and steps and procedures to be taken by these countries,” he said.
“This depends on what we will hear from our brothers in Kuwait and the dialogue and conversations among ourselves and the examination of these responses.”
The Emirati foreign minister spoke alongside German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, who said Germany supported the UAE’s efforts at confronting those who fund extremists.
“We now have this opportunity to reach good results for the benefit of the whole region. The matter is not related only to the sovereignty of Qatar,” Gabriel said.
“We have to come back to common work at the GCC and for the Europeans this is a very important matter. For us, the GCC is the guarantor of stability and security in the region.”
The four Arab countries cut off diplomatic ties to Qatar on June 5 and restricted its access to their airspace and ports while sealing its only land border, with Saudi Arabia. They issued a 13-point list of demands on June 22, giving Qatar 10 days to comply.
After the deadline expired early Monday, the countries said they would give Qatar another 48 hours. The extension came at the request of Kuwait’s ruler Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah.
Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani traveled to Kuwait City on Monday carrying a handwritten note from Qatar’s ruler Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, according to Kuwait News Agency. — Agencies
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt cut ties with Qatar early last month over its support for extremist groups and ties with Iran.
“To defeat terrorism, we must confront extremism, we must confront hate speech, we must confront the harboring and sheltering of extremists and terrorists, and funding them,” he said.
“Unfortunately we in this region see that our sister nation of Qatar has allowed and harbored and encouraged all of this.”
“Enough is enough,” he added.
“We are still waiting for the response from our brothers in Kuwait regarding the paper they received from Qatar,” the Emirati foreign minister said.
“Once we examine it among ourselves, we will take the decision. ... We will not do it through the media, but through a Kuwaiti mediator or our own direct contacts with His Highness,” an apparent reference to the Qatari emir.
Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are scheduled to meet Wednesday in Cairo to discuss the crisis.
“Any steps taken by these countries in case Qatar fails to respond will be taken within the framework of international law, including the procedures that sovereign states have the right to take against another country,” Sheikh Abdullah said.
Asked about any further sanctions, Sheikh Abdullah advised caution.
“I think it is premature to talk about the extra sanctions and steps and procedures to be taken by these countries,” he said.
“This depends on what we will hear from our brothers in Kuwait and the dialogue and conversations among ourselves and the examination of these responses.”
The Emirati foreign minister spoke alongside German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, who said Germany supported the UAE’s efforts at confronting those who fund extremists.
“We now have this opportunity to reach good results for the benefit of the whole region. The matter is not related only to the sovereignty of Qatar,” Gabriel said.
“We have to come back to common work at the GCC and for the Europeans this is a very important matter. For us, the GCC is the guarantor of stability and security in the region.”
The four Arab countries cut off diplomatic ties to Qatar on June 5 and restricted its access to their airspace and ports while sealing its only land border, with Saudi Arabia. They issued a 13-point list of demands on June 22, giving Qatar 10 days to comply.
After the deadline expired early Monday, the countries said they would give Qatar another 48 hours. The extension came at the request of Kuwait’s ruler Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah.
Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani traveled to Kuwait City on Monday carrying a handwritten note from Qatar’s ruler Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, according to Kuwait News Agency. — Agencies
