Qatar on my mind

and destruction. The simple gesture is now known in the world of environmental protection as ‘wetlands for disaster resilience’.

Guided by the third pillar of Philippine diplomacy, the Embassy was, apart from its attention to problems faced by OFWs, most cooperative in extending assistance, when requested, by other Asian embassies. Aware as they were of the extensive experience of the Philippines on the subject, they were most grateful when issues confronting their own overseas workers were resolved applying the Philippine experience. Most often, other embassies wonder at how labor became the third pillar of our diplomacy. Theirs rely solely attaché in their missions.

With the brief background on my attachment to Qatar, it cannot be helped that the place was foremost in my mind when the boycott in trade and domestic relations immediately followed by the cut-off of land, sea and air routes and the concomitant break-up of diplomatic ties were launched by its neighbors against the small but energy-giant Gulf state. While the eyes of the world are focused on the US as prime negotiator, friendly countries have not been want- ing in efforts to extend a hand, Kuwait, Germany and Iran.

With so many avenues for peaceful settlement of international disputes available in international law (‘

negotiation, mediation, inquiry, conciliation, etc.) “in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered,” I am optimistic the Gulf states’ issues will be resolved via non-judicial or diplomatic methods.

And then, again, as in olden times, brotherhood will reign supreme in those fabled Arab lands with guarantees of equal status as players in international affairs. i.e.