Qatar should accept revised peace principles
When friends and allies are taken for a ride for 20 years, it’s natural for them to lose trust and confidence in you. We are talking of Qatar, a GCC member that has been at odds with other countries over its support of dark elements that have seeped into its society. In fact, the country has been at the centre of debate after it caused much distress in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and others have cut off ties with it. Doha signed on a common GCC commitment, a pact to keep out extremist ideology and hatred in 2014. It has since faltered, fumbled, and failed to keep its word. The trust deficit only widened before its Gulf friends decided to boycott the country. It had traversed a lone and suspicious path while being part of a bloc and put the security of the entire Middle East in peril. The rift can be mended, the gulf can be bridged, the GCC believes, but only if Doha comes to its senses and makes a clean break with all manner of extremist elements in its midst. No country can claim it is fighting terror while providing oxygen that promotes its existence. Doha pumped in funds for the wrong kind of fight and we have seen a violent policy in full play that has spawned different terror avataars all over the region.
A revised set of six ‘principles’ presented to Qatar could make it easy to make amends for its pro-terror policy. It opens the door to reconciliation. What Qatar must understand is that it is dealing with friends and partners who are not seeking retribution for its past actions that has fuelled a deadly phenomenon. This is not pay-back time, and Doha would be well advised to grab the opportunity for putting ties back on track. Revival of the relationship is in the best interest of all parties who share a common culture and heritage. If Qatar accepts the demands, a mechanism to ensure compliance by Doha is in order. The US and other Western countries like France and Britain could play a role here by enforcing the terms of such a deal if it comes into force. Doha must not view this as a face-saver but as an alternative deal that will keep the region secure.