Let's talk about Qatar

Austin Barry

The last thing we need is an ethical foreign policy previously promoted, if not followed, by that fatuous, bearded, priapic New Labour Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook.

It's all about Realpolitik.

But we know that, don't we?

MaxSceptic

Without oil, they'd be where all other Arab countries that don't have abundant natural wealth resources are: in the middle ages.

And if/when the pro-Western leadership gets toppled, we'll just have another oil-rich Sharia state that also represses its citizens, but in a different way.

Hexhamgeezer

'Britain is slowly getting a reputation for diplomatic two-facedness'

That would be that fashionably new phrase 'Perfidious Albion' would it?

BTW - just who is accusing us of that vis-a-vis the Gulf at the moment? Nationalities? Job Titles?

El Sid

It's not that remarkable - it's a classic case of influence following money. Incidentally DK and MaxSceptic, Qatar isn't that oil rich - it's gas-rich, it shares the biggest gas field in the world with Iran.

El Sid

It's the massive expansion of liquiefied natural gas exports in the last few years that has given Qatar power; eg it supplies a fifth of UK gas, more than that in winter.

El Sid

It wasn't Al Jazeera that got Qatar the World Cup, it was the fact that they could afford to give away entire stadiums to developing countries in return for votes. Wealth means power.

Andy Carpark

Robin Cook died of heart failure while climbing a mountain.

Andy Carpark

He saw the skirt of some shapely young filly float up in the wind, triggering a spontaneous tumescence ...

Andy Carpark

...which drained the blood from his head, causing him to faint clean away into goatish oblivion.

anyfool

What is it about you lot. why would you want the labour party to pretend to get on its ethical high horse, you appear to want to say and write anything no matter if it damages this countries interests, for what so you can write a strapline about mythical differences between the pygmies running this country.

William Blakes Ghost

Who gives a toss what the EU parasites think. It's in our best interests to work closely with the Gulf states.

In anycase what about the French relationship with Hussein's Iraq, Iran and Syria?

At least we're on the side of countries that aren't bent on destroying our way of life!

Verity

Hexamgeezer 6:34 p ... Bullseye!

Holly ......

Labour sucking up to Gaddafi = GOOD.
Tories touting for British business/
investment. BAD.

Koakona

You mean they are raising their eyebrows because we are eventually acting in our national interest rather than the European interest in detriment to ourselves? How many of these dictatorial states who have poor relations with us have excellent and profitable relations with the French or Germans?

daniel maris

In what sense is it in our interests to work with Middle East dictators to keep them in power?

How has pursuing this policy of shoring up dictators benefited us? Is the price of oil low? Have we won security for ourselves? Are our friends safer? Are our values being protected and promoted?

Or has it been one long, slow mo car crash?

I suggest we concentrate on firstly achieving energy independence for ourselves. Secondly let us have nothing or the bare minimum to do with dictator states.

Douglas Carter

...'The rise of Qatar has been ...remarkable ... oil-rich ... influence .. diplomatic.

...

The list of the monarchy's achievements is impressive ... rejuvenate the Arab League ... led condemnation of Bashir al-Assad and joined the fight against Libya's Muammar Gaddafi... one of the region's lynchpins'...

...And they aren't even in the EU. They're 'Isolated'. How terrifying it is to be 'Isolated'...? To rub the point in, just to overstate the point, they're not in the EU. They're 'Isolated'. 'Isolated' - is the writer of this piece paying attention...?

...'Britain is slowly getting a reputation for diplomatic two-facedness, willing to talk tough and fight hard for freedoms across North Africa, but quick to defend the likes of Qatar, Saudia Arabia, Oman and — to a lesser degree — Bahrain.'...

Yes. Britain, may just be - despite contrary evidence - about to begin to emulate France, Germany, Italy and Spain in giving a certain priority to its own interests rather than self-flagellation and self-loathing in the best Guardian tradition. Fancy that?

...'Among European allies, there were raised eyebrows when the UK apparently managed to limit the mandate of the new European ‘Arab Spring’ envoy, Spanish diplomat Bernadino Leon, steering him away from the Gulf'...

...and...?...

Clear Memories

Having lived and worked there for 2 years, on two separate ocassions, there are a few things people should know.

Firstly, the 'nation' is the private fiefdom of one family. The current leader is relativelty benign (having overthrown his own Father) but rumours are his son, the heir apparent, hates westerners and intends to throw them all out - big joke as Qataris are incapable of doing anything except praying 5 times a day.

If you work, don't expect to get paid. And don't expect the legal system to help you.

If they need you, they'll accept you as a resident but frankly, not your wife. A Dutch colleague with a Chinese wife was refused entry for her as 'chinese women only come here to whore'.

My wife, born in Singapore when her Father was in the RAF, was initially refused residency and then only allowed in a a visitor for a maximum of three months at a time after my sponsor complained.

It is NOT a good place to do business - you can do nothing without either a Qatari partner or sponser.

The World Cup was won with bribery and the western concept of 'supporters' is alien to Qataris. Alcohol is only available at 5 star hotels, drunkenness is illegal and any dissent will be met with violence. Oh and car hire is difficult, they are lunatic drivers and public transport is a joke.

john gerard

Qatar along with the Saudis finance every single Islamic/middle east studies faculty in UK universities, propagating their official version of Islam - you know, 'the religion of peace' schtick. Al Jazeera is a shill for the New Islamic Caliphate and a huge source of anti non-muslim bile and rhetoric. It's the TV version of The Protocols of The Elders of Zion to the power of ten. Oh sure, you've seen the English version with all the wash-ups who can't get jobs at the BBC or ITN, and the benign, friendly countenance, but the Arab version has to be seen to be believed. This is what Qatar's all about. They hate us.

Vulture

@ Clear memories.

Sounds a great place. What made you go back a second time? Was your memory getting a bit clouded?

Clear Memories

Vulture
January 27th, 2012 9:08am

I got all the money they owed me for the first visit and undertakings for the second visit, which were not kept and which highlighted the useless role of their 'legal' system to any but a Qatari. By the by, expect absolutely NO help from the British Embassy. I still haven't worked out what they're for.

Bear in mind that, until a few years ago, if a Qatari hit your parked car, it was deemd to be your fault as a Qatari had the right to go where he wanted in his own Country!

PayDirt

My grandfather rode a camel, my father rode a camel, I drive a Mercedes, my son drives a Land Rover, his son will drive a Land Rover, but his son will ride a camel. --Rashid bin Saeed

Hexhamgeezer

Now that I have breakfasted (nail clippings and Tesco Value orange) I see I've misread the quote. The baker's isn't next to his lighthoose. So the Italians aren't that clever after all and shipwrecked folk would presumably starve, callous bstrds.

Dimoto

Douglas Carter -

Have you read the hilarious piece in Der Spiegel, about how the Germans are increasingly worried about being ISOLATED ?

Paydirt -

Let's hope the Qataris have passed the Mercedes stage and are now buying Land Rovers.