Berlin / Information Office / June 22
HE Qatar's Ambassador to Germany Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani affirmed the State of Qatar's adherence to its well-known position towards the Gulf crisis by lifting the siege and then engaging in dialogue.
In a speech he delivered at the headquarters of the German Federation of Near and Middle East , HE Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani extended thanks the Federal Republic of Germany for its clear and frank stance towards the State of Qatar and the efforts exerted by the German government to resolve the Gulf crisis through dialogue.
HE the Ambassador stressed the State of Qatar's adherence to the political constants, towards the crisis, pursued by Qatar under the directives of HH he Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, including restraint, not to be dragged into similar measures, respect for neighborliness, non-interference in the internal affairs of neighboring countries and further deepening of historical relations with the GCC States and the Arab world, in addition to defending Qatar's right to an independent foreign policy approach that supports security and stability in the region and the world.
HE Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani considered that the siege decision taken by some Arab countries to be contrary to international laws and treaties on human rights and that it makes the siege countries legally accountable. He refuted the flimsy arguments cited by the siege countries, such as accusing the State of Qatar of supporting terrorism, giving an extensive explanation of the State's policy of providing humanitarian assistance and the role played by Qatari charity organizations in this regard.
He pointed out that these organizations cooperate in the implementation of their humanitarian programs with the United Nations and provide assistance to various countries of the world regardless of nationality, religion and color, adding that Qatari charities have offices around the world and that these institutions should not be accused of supporting terrorism.
HE Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that the siege countries used the false news, broadcasted after the crime of hacking the website of Qatar News Agency (QNA) on May, 24, to justify their campaign against Qatar and taking hostile measures such as closing land, air and sea borders, preventing the movement of people and goods and deporting Qatari nationals in addition to criminalizing any popular opposition to these measures and penalizing such with imprisonment and fines even for children who support sports clubs in which Qatar is investing.
He also condemned the siege countries' attempt to ban the broadcasting of Al-Jazeera Network and to stop broadcasting the sports channels in which the State of Qatar invests and to prosecute the people active on Twitter and other social media vehicles.
HE Qatar's Ambassador to Germany stressed that the motives behind the crisis are the attempts dominate the Qatari sovereign decision, imposing guidance on the foreign policy of an independent and sovereign country and interfere in its internal affairs in addition to fighting free media and expression of opinion. He pointed out that Qatar has not received any lists of claims or complaints from the siege countries after over two weeks since cutting off diplomatic relations.