This caricature depicts the way I feel about Qatar.
Who are we kidding ourselves by believing that the Qatari Airlines defied the Israeli air blockade by venturing out to Beirut yesterday? The Washington Post here reported that the Qataris got clearance prior to the trip from Israel.
It's interesting to see that a gulf country, other than the typical Saudi Arabia, is dabbling with politics, which usually gulf countries like to eschew. Gulf countries are always known to send money, not troops nor emissaries. But Qatar, apart from Al-Jazeera, wants to carve out for itself a place on the table.
I say, Great! But the downside is that Qatar just doesn't know what it stands for.
First, Qatar being a current member on the UN Security Council opposed UNSCR 1701, yet it just decided to send some 200 to 500 troops as part of the beefed-up UNIFIL peacekeeping force in the south (a la 1701).
Second, Al-Jazeera was one of the first Arab channels to interview Sayyid Nasrallah during the month-long war and has even dubbed that war the "Sixth War" and of course has openly supported Hizbullah in its war with Israel, unlike Saudi for instance. Yet on the other hand, Qatar is sending its troops to the south as part of an effort that consolidates the Lebanese state's control over its territories.
Third, Qatar has attempted at bridging the divide between Syria and Lebanon by taking up a mediator role of sorts taking the side of Syria, yet at the same time, I hear rumors circulating that Qatar is mediating secretly between Syria and Israel. Wow!
Fourth, the "defying the blockade" incident when Qatar has gotten Israel's permission, knowing very well that both countries cooperate economically.
And so this goes straight to the puzzling question in my mind: Al-Jazeera's political stands versus Qatar's diplomatic relations with Israel. A contradiction. It's none of my business to question any country's policies, heck, most Arab countries have such double standards shouting, "Hey look at me!", but out of concern, you cannot dabble in everything, you're a political novice, thank you for your efforts, but be clear about what you stand for lest you lose your credibility.
"Nobody knows how many rebellions, besides political rebellions, ferment in the masses of life which people earth."
5 comments:
then i would rather Lebanon also did not know what it stood for, because qatar is currently eons ahead of lebanon in many of the aspects used to define a "state."
To Doha
From this entire interesting post, I would like to note just one sentence:
"knowing very well that both countries cooporate economically"
I urge you to look what this cooporation has brought Qatar (other than the ability to alleviate the siege over Lebanon in diplomatic way): it has brought it economic cooporation with Israel which gave it valuable access to technology, it opened its relations with the west,; but most importantly, it allows it to develop peacefully. If an oil rich country chooses to have economic ties with Israel, how can a none-oil-rich country afford not to do so? especially in light of the close geographical proximity. Already two other countries enjoy that cooperation (Jordan and Egypt) to the tune of a 100 million dollar each a year.
Now I am certain that many have a better idea: "we'll let Hezbollah win over Israel (who knows how long it will take if ever and at what cost to Lebanon) and then get their riches!" Well, the Palestinians certainly thought so and we all know where they are today: the greenhouses they got were destroyed due to internal bickering, anarchy rules and even Hamas' spokesperson Ghazi Hamed said that all of this mayham cannot be blamed on Israel. I urge all of the Lebanese people: be like Qatar, not like Palestine. Choosing Hezbollah's way is equivilant to choosing a Palestinian style future.
Jazeera is at least theoretically independant from the Qatari government though right?
Jazeera doesnt seemt to be the propoganda arm of any particular mid-east government, and also likes to criticise Saudi Arabia, Mubarak, Assad etc. I get the feeling that individual journalists in Jazeera have a fair bit of freedom in telling their stories, which is a great thing. And it also means you get some unexpected stories coming out...
Kind of similar to the cartoon controversy - just because the media says something, it doesnt make it approved government policy....
To Kranky (in the civilized world)
I'll deal first wih the Israeli-Lebanese relations. Israel and Lebanon have far better chance of relations between them. Remember that in 48 they did not join the war on Israel.
As for capital flows etc. with regards to Jordan and Israel, this would be a bit trickier with Lebanon I admit, but not impossible. With Jordan and Egypt, business relations work because the two countries complete Israel. Take for example the textile industry. The huge amount of social benefits and salaries employers have to pay in Israel has made it less profitable to manufacture in Israel. Jordanian and Egyptian companies can manufacture it for less and do so. The combined product mut contain 70% Egyptian\Jordanian input and 30% Iraeli to qualify for the Free trade benefits with the US. As a result Jordan and Egypt get the bulk of the benefits from this to the tune as I said, of a 100 million dollars a year. With Lebanon it will be a bit different because Lebanon relies mostly on trade and services as oppose to manufacturing; but I am not sure that this will not be possible to create an industrial zine especially in Southern Lebanon that will allow for such benefits. Especially considering the fact that Israel and the Southern Lebanese people did have crossbprder work relations as Lebanese people (not just SLA) came to work in Israel. Hope all this shed a bit of light both in terms of the obstacles; but more importantly in terms of hope
My grandmother was in a refugee camp- for two years, not five generations. How anyone with a shred of self-respect,ambition and love for their kin would allow themselves this state of affairs baffles me.
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