US embassy cable - 05DOHA1937

C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 001937 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/PD AND NEA/ARPI, NSC FOR ABRAMS AND DOD/OSD 
FOR SCHENKER AND MATHENY 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2010 
TAGS: PREL, KPAO, QA, ALJAZEERA 
SUBJECT: GOQ REQUESTS OFFICIAL EXPLANATION OF AL-JAZEERA 
ISSUE 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Chase Untermeyer, Reasons 1.4 (B AND D) 
 
1.  (C) Text of diplomatic note received by Ambassador 
Untermeyer on 4 December 2005: 
 
Begin Text: 
 
UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar 
presents its compliments to the State Department of the 
United States of America and has the honor to refer to the 
news reported on 22 November 2005 by the British newspaper 
"The Daily Mirror", that a Top Secret memo from the Office of 
the British Prime Minister Tony Blair which the paper was 
able to obtain, stated that during his meeting with the Prime 
Minister Mr. Blair in the White House on 16 April 2004, 
President Bush was clear on his determination to bomb the 
headquarters of Al-Jazeera Channel situated in Doha, and that 
the British Prime Minister opposed that inclination as it 
would have created a big problem.  Also, Al-Hayat Newspaper 
reported on 23 November 2005 the substance of what the paper 
called "an American official", that "America does not need to 
bomb Al-Jazeera Headquarters...if we wanted to put it out of 
action, we could have sent two soldiers to prevent the staff 
from entering it! 
 
The Government of the State of Qatar received these news with 
great concern and astonishment, since it specially pursues 
its relations with the United States from the reality of deep 
friendship and alliance.  Accordingly, the Government of the 
State of Qatar requests an official explanation of the 
subject as soon as possible because it touches upon the hard 
core of Qatari American relations which the State of Qatar is 
keen to proceed with its development for the interests of the 
two countries. 
 
While the Ministry awaits the speedy response of the State 
Department of the United States of America, seizes once again 
this opportunity to express its highest considerations. 
 
End Text. 
 
2.  (C) Embassy understands that this diplomatic note was 
also delivered by Ambassador Al-Khalifa to A/S Welch. 
 
3.  (C) Ambassador's view is that this matter warrants a more 
fulsome USG public response than has been offered to date. 
Such a statement could underscore the absurdity of the 
bombing statement attributed to the President by describing 
the many strong and positive aspects of U.S.-Qatari relations. 
 
4.  (C) Ambassador recommends that our official response to 
the GOQ include the following elements:  1) no attack on 
Al-Jazeera has ever been planned; 2) it is inconceivable that 
any military action would be taken against a friendly nation 
that hosts American military and civilian personnel; and 3) 
The GOQ is aware that U.S. Government's approach to 
Al-Jazeera is to encourage greater professionalism and 
balance in its broadcasts. 
 
UNTERMEYER 
 
 
UNTERMEYER