Qatar's ruler said his country is open to dialogue - if sovereignty
is respected - to resolve the Persian Gulf dispute, in his first remarks since a
Saudi-led bloc cut diplomatic ties and transport links last month.
In a televised speech, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said Friday
that Qatar isn't afraid of identifying and correcting errors, and that
while the Saudi-led alliance has violated international law by trying to
isolate his country, the crisis has also helped the emirate to identify
shortcomings.
"The phase that Qatar is going through is very significant in terms
of opportunities not only to build, but to fill gaps and correct
mistakes," Sheikh Tamim said, speaking in calm, measured tones.
"As you know, we are not afraid to analyse a mistake and correct it."
The address came hours after the United Arab Emirates welcomed
Qatar's move to amend its counterterrorism laws as a "positive step"
toward addressing some of the demands at the heart of a spat that has
divided the Persian Gulf for nearly two months. That struck a rare optimistic
note since his country, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt moved to isolate
Qatar on June 5, after accusing it of funding extremism and being too
close to chief Saudi regional rival Iran.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also voiced optimism, telling
reporters in Washington earlier on Friday that the US is "satisfied with
the effort" Qatar is making and urging its neighbors "to consider as a
sign of good faith lifting this land blockade."
'Forceful, Not Insulting'
The Emir's speech "was forceful, defiant, steadfast but not
aggressive or insulting," said Rami G Khouri, a professor at the
American University of Beirut and a syndicated columnist.
It also included "significant seeds" that coincide with some of the
six broad principles that the Saudis and Emiratis have laid out, Mr
Khouri said, while adding some of his own: Any agreement should be
negotiated and not infringe on a country's sovereignty and freedom of
expression, and any accord should apply to all the countries party to
it.
Sheikh Tamim said Qatar is willing to take part in a dialogue to find
solutions to the disputes, and that he hoped Kuwait's efforts at
mediation would succeed. He also reiterated his government's stance that
it is "fighting terrorism relentlessly and without compromises".
Kamran Bokhari, a senior analyst at Geopolitical Futures, said the government in Doha didn't want to appear intransigent.
"By being flexible, Qatar is trying to make the other side look bad."
"In many ways, this has been the Qatari position all along: they will
not compromise on their right to pursue an independent foreign policy
but are willing to reach a negotiated settlement," Mr Bokhari said by
phone from Washington.
The Emir also hailed his people for their spirit of solidarity,
harmony and defiance. He denounced the Saudi bloc's measures as an
aggression against Qatar and called for an opening of the economy,
saying this is no longer a "luxury" but an obligation.
"I don't want to underestimate the pain and suffering that the
blockade has inflicted, and I hope that such an approach in dealing with
brothers ends," Sheikh Tamim said.
"This approach has harmed all of the Persian Gulf Corporation Council's countries and their image in the world."
