Congress to Qatar: halting terror fund is only option to become allies

CAIRO – 31 January 2018: U.S. Congress members said that Qatar’s attempt to pay for expanding many U.S. bases and transforming them to a city where U.S. soldiers live does not mean that the United States will ignore Qatar’s funding of terrorism.

Qatari officials, during their visit to the United States, announced their attempts to pay for expanding many U.S. bases and transforming them to a city where U.S. soldiers can live with their families.

“Qatar must cut its ties to terrorists as our allies cannot provide support to our enemies,” said Congresswoman Ann Wagner.

In this regard, U.S. congressman Dana Rupaker said that it is time for Qatar to choose whether they need our friendship or not as if their choice not to continue with their current policy means that Qatar has decided to be allies with extremists.

Trump’s endorsement of Arab-Qatari dispute

In June, Trump called for the Gulf princedom of Qatar to stop funding terrorist groups, saying it had historically done so "at a very high level." His statements came after four Arab states - Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United States, and Bahrain - severed ties with Qatar for supporting terrorism.


President Donald Trump Offers To Mediate Dispute Between Qatar And Arab Neighbors - Courtesy from YouTube

In July, Trump commented in an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network that 10 other states would like to "build" another one for the U.S. and "pay for it" in case it had to leave the one in Qatar. That base was used by the U.S. to run operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

In January 2014, Qatar offered to help Iran in developing the nuclear field as the latter has been trying to do so for two decades but could not due to the sanctions imposed on the country since the revolution in 1979. Furthermore, the company Total signed a contract with Qatar and Iran in July to help them expand production of South Pars/North Dome gas field, according to Reuters.

On the other hand, Qatar has been supporting Iran-backed Shiite groups in certain Arab countries, including fellow Gulf states such as Lebanon's Hezbollah, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

In September, U.S. President Donald Trump declared his willingness to step in and mediate in the worst dispute in decades among the U.S.-allied Arab states and Qatar, after Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad sought President Donald Trump’s mediation in his crisis with the Arab States which came as a result of Qatar being accused of funding terrorism by the Arab Quartet.

Yet, three days after waiving sanctions as part of the Iran nuclear deal on January 17, 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump thanked the Qatari Emir for “actions to counter terrorism and extremism in all forms.” Both acts reflect that his statements are not aligned with the U.S. interests and subsequently do not match his actions.


President Donald Trump meets with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani- Courtesy from Youtube

Trump's recent statement on Qatar contradicts his earlier stance in June when he called for the Gulf princedom to stop funding terrorist groups, saying it had historically done so "at a very high level." His statements came after four Arab states - Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United States, and Bahrain - severed ties with Qatar for supporting terrorism.

Trump's statements on Qatar at that time raised concerns over the status of the U.S. military base al-Udaida - hosted by the Gulf state - where almost 11,000 U.S. personnel are stationed. In July, Trump commented in an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network that 10 other states would like to "build" another one for the U.S. and "pay for it" in case it had to leave the one in Qatar. That base was used by the U.S. to run operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

Trump's earlier statements on canceling the 2015 Iran nuclear deal have been opposed by other parties in the deal as well as internal political forces.