The Guardian: Qatar Given 10 Days to Meet 13 Sweeping Demands by Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is demonstrating insecurity and intolerance for other points of view by leading a trade and diplomatic embargo against tiny neighbor Qatar and then issuing a 13-part ultimatum. Saudi Arabia’s population is 15 times larger than Qatar’s 2.2 million. Qatar denies that it funds or harbors terrorists, and certainly not more than Saudi citizenss have been reported to do. The demands include closing journalism outlets, including Al Jazeera; reducing security arrangements with Turkey; and reducing cooperation with Iran. “Their sweeping nature would, if accepted, represent an effective end to Qatar’s independent foreign policy,” reports Patrick Wintour for the Guardian. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt had hoped to keep the ultimatum's details a secret. Countries like the United Kingdom call for deescalation while the US president and secretary of state are sending mixed messages. The United States has a military base in Qatar. Al Jazeera contends that the “Call for Closure Is Siege Against Journalism.” – YaleGlobal

The Guardian: Qatar Given 10 Days to Meet 13 Sweeping Demands by Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia threatens troubled region with 13-point ultimatum to Qatar – including closing journalism outlets and submitting to compliance audits
Patrick Wintour
Saturday, June 24, 2017

Read the article from the Guardian.

Al Jazeera: “Call for Closure Is Siege Against Journalism.”

The Guardian lists the 13 demands:

1.  Curb diplomatic ties with Iran and close its diplomatic missions there. Expel members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards 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.
2.  Sever all ties to “terrorist organisations”, specifically the Muslim Brotherhood, Islamic State, al-Qaida and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Formally declare those entities as terrorist groups.
3.  Shut down al-Jazeera and its affiliate stations.
4.  Shut down news outlets that Qatar funds, directly and indirectly, including Arabi21, Rassd, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed and Middle East Eye.
5.  Immediately terminate the Turkish military presence in Qatar and end any joint military cooperation with Turkey inside Qatar.
6.  Stop all means of funding for individuals, groups or organizations that have been designated as terrorists by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, the US and other countries.
7.  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.
8.  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.
9.  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.
10.   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.
11.   Consent to monthly audits for the first year after agreeing to the demands, then once per quarter during the second year. For the following 10 years, Qatar would be monitored annually for compliance.
12.   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.
13.   Agree to all the demands within 10 days of it being submitted to Qatar, or the list becomes invalid.

Patrick Wintour is diplomatic editor for the Guardian.
 

The Guardian
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Comments

Winston on June 24, 2017:

Saudi Arabia is led by a King who has DEMENTIA. That speaks volumes! No one in the Royal family has a clue how to really diversify economy. Time for US to find another petrodollar linchpin ASAP!