Category: Qatar

Turkey approves military deal with Qatar, Saudi Arabia amid Syrian conflict

Parliament recently approved two separate agreements with Qatar and Saudi Arabia — two of the staunchest states seeking the fall of the Syrian regime, along with Turkey — regarding cooperation in the training of military personnel among the three states, Today’s Zaman reported.

The approval of the two agreements, which have been obtained by Today’s Zaman, came on the heels of ongoing tensions along the Turkish-Syrian border and escalating military strikes between Turkey and Syria.

Damascus accuses foreign powers — including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and neighboring Turkey — of supporting Syrian opposition forces struggling to topple embattled President Bashar al-Assad, and of destroying the stability of Syria and meddling in its internal affairs.

Turkey and the two Sunni Arab states have adopted a similar stance regarding the Syrian conflict in the diplomatic sphere. However, the approval of the two agreements amid the ongoing Syrian conflict is a development that could add a new dimension to the 19-month-old crisis.

The Military Training Cooperation agreement between Turkey and Qatar was signed in the Turkish capital of Ankara on July 2 and published in the Official Gazette on Nov. 7, with Law No. 3849.

According to Article 1 of the agreement with Qatar, the purpose of the agreement is to establish cooperation mechanisms between Turkey and Qatar in the field of military training.

The agreement, which was signed by Qatari Army Chief Gen. Hamad Bin Ali Al Attiyah, and his Turkish counterpart Gen. Necdet Özel, aims to enhance and consolidate friendly relations existing between the two countries.

Article 4 of the agreement specifies areas of military cooperation at War Colleges, the Gülhane Military Medical Academy and the Mapping General Command.

According to the same article, training areas and the education of personnel will also include the gendarmerie, the coast guard and border security.

Article 4 states the main areas of cooperation as follows: “Participation in joint exercises, exchange of delegations, visiting harbors and docking, exchange of information regarding improvement of training, exchange of information on military history, military archives and military publications, cooperation in logistics training, cooperation on peace support, counterterrorism, humanitarian relief, countering sea robbery and piracy and exchange of personnel.”

According to Article 3 of the agreement, the General Staffs of both countries are responsible for the training of personnel, which should be provided in accordance with the criteria set by the states.

In line with this agreement, ahead of any request to send personnel for training, notification will be given to the receiving state in March of the year prior to the beginning of the training program at the latest.

The agreement emphasizes that cooperation should occur within the framework of respect for the laws of the countries, and on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit.

According to Article 6, the training of guest personnel should be provided in conformity with the programs of the military institutions or units where the training is provided. However, the article specifies, “If the subjects cover certain issues related to national security, some restrictions may be imposed.”

Turkey’s Military Training Cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia was signed in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on May 29, and was published in the Official Gazette on Oct. 10, with Law No. 3634.

The agreement with Saudi Arabia underlines the importance of enhancing friendly relations existing between the two nations and of cooperation in the field of military training, confirming that cooperation between the two countries promotes international peace and stability.

The agreement, which was signed by Saudi Brig. Gen. Abdulaziz Marzouq Al Johani and his Turkish counterpart, Brig. Gen. Salih Sevil, chief of the training division, says Turkey and Saudi Arabia should set out the specialist and technical courses (operations, logistics, intelligence, etc.) to be held annually at their military centers.

via Turkey approves military deal with Qatar, Saudi Arabia amid Syrian conflict – Trend.Az.

November 12, 2012
Israel discuss plans to assassinate Syrian president

Israel discuss plans to assassinate Syrian president : Report

Nov 10, 2012

A Lebanese newspaper has disclosed that Qatar and Israel have held a secret meeting to review plans to assassinate Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Arabic-language Ad-Diyar newspaper said the meeting which was held in the occupied lands included Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al-Thani, Qatari intelligence chief Ahmed Nasser bin Jassim al-Thani, head of Israeli spy agency the Mossad Tamir Pardo and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The report added that Mossad chief also offered several proposals for assassination of the Syrian president.

The Qatari premier also said that his country is ready to supply Israel with free natural gas and very low-priced gasoline for two years after the assassination is carried out.

Netanyahu also asked the Qatari officials whether the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council ([P]GCC) is ready to recognize Israel after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad.

Syria accuses Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey as well as some Western countries of fanning the flames of violence that have erupted in the country since mid-March 2011.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar also publicity announced that they are supporting and arming the insurgents in Syria.

November 12, 2012
Syrian Anti-Assad Rebel Groups Funded by Saudi Arabia, Qatar

Syrian rebels take position during clashes with regime forces in the northern city of Aleppo on Sept. 14, 2012

Vast swaths of northern Syria, especially in the province of Idlib, have slipped out of the hands of President Bashar Assad, if not quite out of his reach. The area is now a de facto liberated zone, though the daily attacks by Damascus’ air force and the shelling from the handful of checkpoints and bases regime forces have fallen back to are reminders that the rebel hold on the territory remains fluid and fragile.

What is remarkable is that this substantial strip of “free” Syria has been patched together in the past 18 months by military defectors, students, tradesmen, farmers and pharmacists who have not only withstood the Syrian army’s withering fire but in some instances repelled it using a hodgepodge of limited, light weaponry. The feat is even more amazing when one considers the disarray among the outside powers supplying arms to the loosely allied band of rebels.

(PHOTOS: Syria’s Year of Chaos and Photos of a Slow-Motion War)

As TIME reports here, disorder and distrust plague two of the rebels’ international patrons: Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The two Gulf powerhouses are no longer on the same page when it comes to determining who among the plethora of mushrooming Syrian rebel groups should be armed. The rift surfaced in August, with the alleged Saudi and Qatari representatives in charge of funneling free weaponry to the rebels clearly backing different factions among the groups — including various shades of secular and Islamist militias — under the broad umbrella that is the Free Syrian Army (FSA).

The middlemen of the two countries operate out of Turkey, the regional military power. Ankara has been quite public with its denunciation of Assad even as it denies any involvement in shuffling weapons across the border to Syrian rebels. It claims its territory is not being used to do so. And yet, as TIME reported in June, a secretive group operates something like a command center in Istanbul, directing the distribution of vital military supplies believed to be provided by Saudi Arabia and Qatar and transported with the help of Turkish intelligence to the Syrian border and then to the rebels. Further reporting has revealed more details of the operation, the politics and favoritism that undermine the task of creating a unified rebel force out of the wide array of groups trying to topple the Assad regime.

(The FSA is nominally headed by Riad al-As’aad, who is based in Turkey. Neither As’aad nor his chief FSA rival General Mustafa Sheikh are party to the Istanbul control room that supplies and arms rebels who operate under the FSA banner. The two men each have their own sources of funding and are independently distributing money and weapons to selected FSA units.)

via Syrian Anti-Assad Rebel Groups Funded by Saudi Arabia, Qatar | World | TIME.com.

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September 20, 2012
Istanbul Shopping Fest woos visitors from Qatar

Istanbul Shopping Fest woos visitors from Qatar, GCC

By C P Ravindran/Istanbul

A bus and a tramway, below, decorated with the Istanbul Shopping Fest visuals

Istanbul is gearing up for its second shopping festival next month, with special packages and programmes targeting people from Qatar and other GCC countries.

With Istanbul fast becoming a favourite destination of both Qatari citizens and residents, Turkish Airlines expects a big increase in passenger traffic from Doha during the festival.

The second Istanbul Shopping Fest (ISF) will be held from June 9 to 29.

Turkish Airline’s country manager in Doha, Mehmet Kürsad Caymaz, said yesterday that there had been a steady increase in the number of holiday travellers from Qatar to Turkey in the last few years.

“The outlook is very bright,” he said. “Turkey is fast becoming one of the favourite holiday destinations of Qataris.”

Caymaz pointed to the close relations between Qatar and Turkey, saying that this had helped strengthen interaction between the people of the two countries.

Turkish Airlines operates daily flights between Doha and Istanbul. “If the current trend of rise in passengers continues, we would think of increasing the Doha-Istanbul frequencies to 10 a week,” Caymaz said.

“Special prices starting from QR1,540 plus tax are being offered to Doha passengers for round trip during the shopping festival.”

Istanbul Shopping Fest promises to offer savings of 50% or more at thousands of outlets in the city’s most famous markets, including Taksim, Nisantasi, Sisli, Bakirköy, Fatih, Bahariye, Bagdat and the Spice Bazaar.

“This festival of shopping, culture and entertainment will please its visitors with up to 50% discounts on all brands and products from technology to fashion wear,” a senior ISF official said during a briefing to a group of GCC journalists visiting Istanbul.

“During ISF, avenues and streets will be decorated with special designs and lightings to make the event a colourful experience,” said Fusun Sonmez, the festival general manager.

“The 21-day festival will feature concerts by top singers, street parties and many other entertainment programmes,” said Sonmez.

Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram will be the star attraction of performances being staged in Taksim, a commercial and cultural hub in Istanbul, during the shopping festival.

“During the festival there’ll be lots of events at various points of Istanbul, in shopping malls and stores,” said Sonmez. “Istanbul will become a major entertainment centre for 21 days.”

The first Istanbul Shopping Fest was held between March 18 and April 26 in 2011. The event was moved to June this year so that visitors could enjoy better weather.

During ISF, avenues and streets will be decorated with special designs and lightings to make the event a colourful experience

The festival, being held under the auspices of the Turkish ministry of culture and tourism, the Istanbul governor’s office and many other agencies, will include shopping until 11pm, with special discounts being offered after 10pm.

Its other attractions include free gifts, raffles and prizes including a new car every day during the festival.

Turkish Airlines is considering increasing the baggage allowance during ISF.

Istanbul is known for its handmade rugs, clothing, antiques, spices, sweets, footwear and accessories.

Foreign guests may get back part of the tax they pay for goods from stands located in shopping malls and various points of the city, officials said.

Hakan Kodal, the festival co-chair, said the turnover touched 8bn Turkish liras (around QR16.50bn) during the 2011 ISF that ran for 40 days. “The 21-day target for 2012 is 7bn Turkish liras (around QR14.50bn).”

In the 2011 ISF period, the spending turnover realised through foreign cards in 40 days touched 252mn Turkish liras.

“Our target for 2012 is to reach this figure just in 21 days,” said Kodal.

The festival which hosted 5mn visitors from Turkey and abroad last year is expected to cross that figure during its 21 days next month.

Turkish Airlines is considering increasing the baggage allowance during ISF

Turkey attracted 31.46mn tourists in 2011, an increase of almost 10% compared to the previous year. Tourist receipts amounted to more than $23bn. Earnings from tourism are expected to reach some $30bn this year.

Songs and shows

The 21-day İstanbul Shopping Fest (İSF) starts on June 8 with an opening “party” in Taksim Gezi Park Concert Area. DJ Funky C will launch the party which will then liven up with the performance of Group Model and Hadise’s songs. The French group of Zalinde will present a percussion show. The night will continue with a performance by the music group Model. Pop singer Hadise will also present a concert on the opening night. Among the other groups performing during the festival period are Tiny People, The Toy Brigade, Boblins and Curious Noses. Shopping boulevards like Taksim, Nisantasi, Sisli, Bakirkoy, Fatih, Bahariye and Bagdat Avenue will be the main centres of activities

via Gulf Times – Qatar’s top-selling English daily newspaper – Qatar.

May 10, 2012
Foreign Ministers of Turkey and GCC countries conclude meeting in Istanbul

WAM ISTANBUL: The six Gulf countries and Turkey on Saturday concluded the Turkey-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) High Level Strategic Dialogue Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Istanbul.

The UAE was represented to the meeting by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister.

At the meeting, Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Oman) discussed ways to advance their cooperation and relations.

A decision was made by the ministers to hold the 5th Turkey-GCC High Level Strategic Dialogue- Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Bahrain and a forum for businessmen on 6 February in Turkey.

In remarks at a joint press conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the setting up of a committee on strategic dialogue between Turkey and the GCC was a sound decision and is in the interest of joint action as the welfare of the peoples of the region.

Trade between Turkey and GCC countries grew by 36% while investments by GCC countries in Turkey went up to US$30 billion, he noted.

The two sides will continue to advance relations in many areas including the construction of a high-speed railway between Turkey and the Gulf, he added.

Davutoglu also said Turkey and GCC countries support the Arab League’s efforts in Syria as Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

He said that they all hoped the Syrian government would implement proposals made by the Arab League, take the necessary measures to end pressure on the people of Syria and begin a process of political reforms.

WAM/MMYS

via WAM.

January 29, 2012
Hamas and the Qatar-Turkey Agency of a Palestinian Spring ?

UN – 2011. The response to the Palestinian bid for recognition of it´s status as a State within the context of the 66th session of the UN General Assembly was, “that a Palestinian Solution only would be possible within a comprehensive solution for the problems in the Middle East “. Since then, the world has witnessed a series of unprecedented NATO aggressions that have brought the world to the brink of a global conflict. The cynical abuse of UNSC Resolution 1973-2011 on Libya to oust the Libyan government, murder the de facto Head of State Muammar Ghadafi, and the installation of several absolutely dependent proxy militia based governments, that have thrown the nation into state of self destruction, facilitated by a NATO that needs the oil, and the territory as possible staging area for a Syrian or Iranian campaign. The relentless covert war on Syria, and the war on Iran which may very well be imminent.(ibid.)

With a Fatah controlled Palestinian Authority that is rightfully accused for selling out on Palestine, and recent negotiations in Amman which were called unforgivable by the PFLP, and strongly criticized by the DFLP and other member organizations of the PLO, Palestinians could ask them selves, how much worse things actually could become.

Keeping in mind, that the sole beneficiaries of what is euphemistically called “The Arab Spring”, which has almost become a Franchise Commodity in style with “The Holocaust” – capital letters – Palestinians are well advised to be on their guards and hold their political leaderships responsible for guaranties, that non, including Fatah and Hamas should develop ambitions to letting Obama´s comprehensive solution be implemented by a NATO / Zionist Arab Spring in Palestine. The signs are strongly indicating that this may be the case.

The recent, more than friendly relations between Hamas and Turkey ought to be carefully scrutinized, and for a number of reasons. One being, that Turkey´s and R. Tayyip Erdogan´s political grand standing with respect to the Israeli act of piracy against a Turkish registered Gaza Flotilla vessel and the Erdogan governments cessation of Turkish Israeli trade, diplomatic and military co-operation only lasted a few weeks. By now, Turkey is back to business as usual, which includes military and intelligence co-operation with Israel. A second would be the strong Turkish – Qatari co-operation in the covert war against Syria. A Syria, which – and I feel sad that I should remind many Palestinians about it – is the sole Arab nation that consequently has been and is supporting Palestine.

When Hamas, short after entering the PLO is blasted by members of the PLO executive committee, for stating it´s solidarity with Syria, while shortly after declaring that Hamas will be sending a delegation to Amman, Jordan, for meetings with the Jordanian government and representatives from Qatar, there arises one simple question, which Hamas ought to answer to the People of Palestine.

Is Hamas planning to play a role in a ” Zionist / NATO organized Arab Spring ? ” It is a question that Palestinians ought to ask Hamas, and one Hamas ought to answer before it is sending a delegation to Amman on Sunday.

The problem is, that it may very well be that Hamas has been duped into an entrapment in glory; just like the PLO and Fatah were before the Oslo Accords. It may very well be that Hamas truly believes that it´s new found friends from Turkey, Jordan, and Qatar have the best of the People of Palestine in mind – but then, can anyone in a leading position at Hamas really be so naive to believe that Obama´s comprehensive solution for the Middle East, which includes the selling out on Syria would mean anything but the possibility that it would be Hamas rather than Fatah that would administrate the Zionist genocide on the People of Palestine ?

The People ought to ask the question, and Hamas ought to answer it before Sunday.

Dr. Christof Lehmann

via Hamas and the Qatar-Turkey Agency of a Palestinian Spring ? | nsnbc.

January 26, 2012