In praise of Qatar’s policy
Dear Sir,
I have read with great interest the report “Foreign policy based on ‘preventive diplomacy’ ” (Gulf Times, October 19). The report was based on a speech made by Qatar’s ambassador to the US, Mohamed Jaham al-Kuwari, at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in Washington. It gives us new insights into the creative role of Qatar’s foreign policy and diplomacy.
In a world of mutual distrust and animosity, Qatar has become a beacon of hope with its positive and farsighted approaches.
Qatar has always displayed an open and humanitarian mindset in its foreign policy. (Let’s have a flashback. In an interview with CNN in the 1990’s, HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani said: “Someone should take the first step forward, for a good cause, and then others will follow”. The text of the interview was published in Gulf Times then and I remember writing about it in the paper.)
Let me quote from the Gulf Times report on al-Kuwari’s speech: “Qatar stood beside people when regimes used violence, which took place in a number of Arab countries, he said, stressing Qatar’s keenness on keeping the channels of communication open for dialogue with the political movements committed to human rights, democracy, freedom of expression, human development, the empowerment of women and the fight against illiteracy.”
These are the ideals that guide Qatar’s foreign policy and they need to be applauded by all.
Qatar has always come forward to reduce tension among nations, helping to maintain world peace wherever possible. If a nation can be chosen for Nobel Prize for Peace, it ought to be for Qatar. As a supporter of humanitarian efforts, peace and of measures to fight poverty in the world, Qatar has been doing more than its share.
As an Indian, Qatar’s principled foreign policy is of special interest to me. Jawaharlal Nehru’s India was one of the founder members of the non-aligned movement when the Cold War was at its height in the world. We now need bold nations to come together to counter terrorism and violence. Today foreign policy for many nations means collaboration in war and destruction. And it is here Qatar’s foreign policy guidelines assume much importance. Mediation and dialogue are its cornerstones.
As a resident in Qatar, I feel proud that I am living in a land where the vision and ideals of its leaders are so principled and worth following.
I wish that while the nations select the members of the UN Security Council, the criteria should be a nation’s contribution to world peace, not its nuclear capability and military might.
Let us hope that other nations will also follow Qatar in initiating an independent policy that would help in preventing differences of opinions turning into conflicts.
Ambassador al-Kuwari deserves praise for his enlightening words; and Gulf Times appreciation for its excellent coverage of his speech.
Abdul Kareem E T
(Address supplied)
