By Dr Mohammed Saleh Al Misfer
Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, may God protect him, paid an official visit to Washington — his first after assuming the country’s leadership.
This came after his visit to Japan, which was considered by both Qataris and the Japanese a total success.
Now, what did the Emir say in Washington and what was he told?
A picture speaks a thousand words, and from that perspective, I say that His Highness was extremely well received in Washington. Looking at the unprecedented photos of both leaders during their meeting at the White House, I can tell from their genuine smiles that things must have gone really well.
When the teeth are seen in a smile, it shows truthfulness and not just good diplomacy; both the Qatari and American leaders had broad smiles on their faces, showing their molars in one of the photos.
What does that mean? In my opinion, it shows sincerity in their relationship, which is not only based on their immediate common interests but on their strategic interests and similar stands with regard to terrorism and disapproval of those who insult their people and humiliate their dignity.
Both the Qatari and American leaders agreed that the crises in the Middle East, Africa and Ukraine can be solved not by military force but only through sincere dialogue that will prevent wars and negate the idea of using threats or force for a dictator, party or sect to remain in power.
Back to the question, what did His Highness say and what was he told? He surely said a lot. The Emir said in the White House that the mother of all ills in the Middle East is the Israeli occupation of Palestine since 1948.
The international community has no political will to resolve the problem of the Palestinian people under Zionist occupation, which is a colonisation that the world is unable to find a solution to.
White colonialism has ended in South Africa. The same goes for Namibia and all African countries which were under British or French rule.
The Palestinian people continue to live in misery in refugee camps and we in the free world must restore their land under a united national government on Palestinian territory with all the human rights that are enjoyed by people elsewhere. There cannot be a free world as long as there are people living under colonialism in the 21st century.
The Emir said to every American leader he met that they should not confuse Islam with terrorism.
“With the help of the international community, we must rebuild the confidence of the Arab youth whom deprivation, corruption, injustice, tyranny and abuse of human dignity led to rebel against their regimes through revolutions known as the Arab Spring. They demanded the overthrow of those regimes in order for the youth to rebuild their countries on the basis of freedom, democracy and respect for human dignity.”
Sheikh Tamim announced that Qatar was ready to help achieve the goals of the Arab people in this part of the world, where different forces are fighting.
Doha also affirmed its stand on regional and international initiatives to combat terrorism in all forms, but asserted that terrorism differed from resistance to gain independence and liberation from any imposed force.
The Emir said a lot about Arab affairs and the role of the international community towards the Arab people.
And what did the US president say?
He said: “Qatar is a strong partner and we have a long-term partnership related to security, education, trade and scientific research. Qatar is also a major investor in the United States of America.”
He emphasised that Qatar was a strong partner in the international coalition against terrorism, expressing his appreciation of Qatar’s efforts in this regard.
I would like to remind everyone that those who have been defeated in certain Arab capitals accuse Qatar wrongfully of financing and supporting terrorism. The leaders of America and Japan, two of the most important countries in the world, have testified against those liars in Cairo and elsewhere.
The American president also said that Qatar and the United States were both deeply concerned about the situation in Syria and that there should be an initiative including all sections of the Syrian society to restore their united, independent state, since Bashar Al Assad has lost legitimacy and cannot be a part of any feasible solution.
On Iraq, President Barack Obama and Sheikh Tamim stressed the importance of providing all Sunni and Shia parties the opportunity to take part in the political process, which would strengthen the unity of the country and reduce sectarianism.
The Qatari and American leaders addressed the Libyan and Yemeni issues as well, and stressed that they were working with other parties to find a solution to the two countries’ problems.
The American president again praised the efforts of Qatar in its fight against terrorism and also confirmed that Qatar devoted part of its resources to achieving world peace.
Japanese and US leaders, including President Barack Obama, have affirmed that our leadership supports the rights of people who are seeking freedom, equality, social justice, political participation and human rights.
Qatar is relentlessly fighting extremism and terrorism; therefore, the mouths of liars and hypocrites who falsely accuse Qatar of improper acts must remain shut.
