Al diplomacy 5 by Diplomatic-Institute

Editorial The Significance of Celebrating the National Sports Day On 12 February 2012 and for the second consecutive year, Qatar became an open playing field that was filled with thousands of Qataris and residents of Qatar to mark the National Sports Day. This event is executed in pursuant to the 2011 Emiri Decree No. 80 issued by the Heir Apparent H.H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, which stipulate the assigning of one day every year to be the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National sports Day. This historic decree as described by citizens, athletes, and media reflects the great attention paid by the Qatari wise leadership to sport as a way of life for all social segments of our beloved country, men, women and children to maintain them in a good psychological and physical health. This Qatari unparalleled experience that marks the National Sports Day, as a national holiday is an implementation of Qatarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Vision 2030, that endeavor to capitalize in human resources. This would prepare a generation well adjusted from the psychological and physical side that is capable of taking part in the comprehensive development of Qatar. It also reflects how the state leadership conceives sport as a message that embodies the passion, fraternity, and tolerance spirits. It is a tool to create communities with its capacity to entrench the principles of justice, peace, cooperation, co-existence and to overcome cultural and ideological differences. At the same time, sport is consistent with Islamic teachings that urge Muslims to exercise with the emphasis for our children to learn swimming, shooting and horse riding. This would lead to build their bodies and provide the necessary energy to achieve their goals in life. Sports, in this day and age, play a complementary diplomatic and popular role to the one played by the formal diplomacy in strengthening and consolidating mutual relations between different countries. Sports have rather profound effect than the latter as it is more widespread and are more effective on the individual, regional and international levels. Each sportsperson could be an ambassador for his/her country in oversees sport events and a successful media agent who succeed in doing what the official diplomacy sometimes fails to do. There are a lot of examples that shed lights on using sport games to break the ice between some countries paving the way for the formal diplomatic channels to play its role in removing diplomatic and political barriers and achieving reconciliation. Sport in all its forms has gained great significance; hence, we stress the necessity that all diplomats and employees of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs and their families as well as the diplomatic missions to Qatar should participate in the sport events and activities of the National Sports Day. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs

1 Issue 4 - December 2012

Contents 1

Editorial

Follow-ups

The Second Harvest

Follow-ups

Al-Attiyah: The Sport Day is a representation of Qatar National Vision 2030

Quarterly magazine published by the Diplomatic Institute - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Issue 5 - March 2013

Public Figures

‫‏‬Gamal Abdel Nasser

General Supervisor:

Spotlight

Spotlight on: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

Reports

‫‏‬The Global Risks Report for 2013

Articles

‫ ‏‬he Qatari Diplomatic experience in Conflict T Resolution through Negotiations

The Diplomatic Institute

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The Mechanism of “Good Offices”

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Book Review

‫‏‬The Strategic depth

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From the Political Dictionary

Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Editor in Chief: Dr. Hassan bin Ibrahim Al-Mohannadi Director of the Diplomatic Institute Publisher:

State of Qatar - Doha P.O.Box : 250 Tel. : (+974( 40112500 Fax : (+974( 40112511 Email: Diplomacy@mofa.gov.qa Website: www.di.mofa.gov.qa - All correspondence on behalf of the Editor in Chief - Published articles reflect the views of writers and do not necessarily reflect the considerations of the magazine

2 Issue 5 - March 2013

‫‏‬Turkey’s position and role in the international arena ‫ ‏‬eport on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) R in Qatar

Follow-ups

Public Figures

Editorial The Significance of Celebrating the National Sports Day On February 12th, 2012 and for the second year running, Qatar became a large open playing filled with thousands of Qataris and residents of Qatar to mark the National Sports Day. This event is executed in pursuant to the 2011 Emiri Decree No. 80 issued by the Heir Apparent H.H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, which stipulate the assigning of one day every year to be the state’s National sports Day. This historic decree as described by citizens, athletes, and media reflected the great attention paid by the Qatari wise leadership to sport as a way of life for all social segments of our beloved country, men, women and children to maintain them in a good psychological and physical health. Being probably the only country that marks the National Sports Day, as a national holiday is an implementation of Qatar’s National Vision 2030 that targets investments in human resources. This would prepare a generation well adjusted from the psychological and physical side that is capable of taking part in the comprehensive development of Qatar. It also reflects how the state leadership conceives sport as a message that embodies the passion, fraternity, and tolerance spirits. It is a tool to create communities with its capacity to entrench the principles of justice, peace, co-operation, co-existence and to overcome cultural and ideological differences. At the same time, sport is consistent with Islamic teachings that urge Muslims to exercise with the emphasis for our children to learn swimming, shooting and horse riding. This would lead to build their bodies and provide the necessary energy to achieve their goals in life.

Under the slogan of the Sport Day “Be Proud, You Participated” and for the second consecutive year, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, 12 February, has celebrated the National Sport Day. All staff of the Ministry and the endorsed diplomatic missions in Qatar has participated in these celebrations. Celebrations started with a group 3-km walkathon and a variety of sport activities including football, volleyball and table tennis in addition to other local popular sports like camel and horse riding.

Al-Khalifa: Development of national capabilities tops the priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sports, in this day and age, play a diplomatic and popular role complementary to the one played by the government diplomacy in strengthening and consolidating mutual relations between different countries. Sports have rather profound effect than the latter as it is more widespread and are more effective on the individual, regional and international levels. Each sportsperson could be an ambassador for his/her country in sport oversees events and a successful media agent who succeed in doing what the official diplomacy sometimes fails to do. There are a lot of examples that can not be mentioned here shed lights on using sport games to break the ice between some countries paving the way for the official diplomatic channels to play its role in removing diplomatic and political barriers and achieving reconciliation.

The Diplomatic Institute completed the second four-month training program (September-December 2012), and to mark this event, a graduation ceremony was held for a batch of 27 graduates. H.E Rashid bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, Minister’s Assistant for Services Affairs, and H.E Dr. Saeb Erekat, PLO Executive Committee Member and Palestinian top negotiator, attended the ceremony. At the beginning, H.E Rashid bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa addressed the ceremony and extended his congratulations to the trainees on the successful completion of the training program. Al-Khalifa stated that the top priority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to enhance the national capabilities. He also indicated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeks, under the wise leadership of the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani, and the direct supervision of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H.E Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah, to attract and prepare competent Qatari personnel in a sound way to take over responsibility in the future. He paid tribute to the diplomatic institute headed by H.E Dr. Hassan bin Ibrahim Al-Mohannadi for the

Sport in all forms has gained great significance; hence, we stress the necessity that all diplomats and employees of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs and their families as well as the diplomatic missions to Qatar should participate in the sport events and activities of the National Sports Day.

Al-Attiyah: The Sport Day is a representation of Qatar National Vision 2030

The Second Harvest

Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs

4 Issue 5 - March 2013

Issue 4 - December 2012

great efforts undertaken in preparing the second training program and in providing all required needs to achieve success. Addressing the graduates, H.E asserted that they are the future ambassadors, and praised their qualifications and high levels of competence. He called upon them to develop and enhance their skills in the diplomatic service through hard work, persistence, and dedication, sincere love to Qatar and the interaction with each other. Moreover, he appealed to them to give up every thing that could keep them away from serving their country, which became very important in the Arab and international levels. This reputation was due to the state leadership wise vision, its prominent and unique mediation initiatives, and the hosting of major international conferences.

His Excellency continued to say that assigning a national day for sport by the state is a true representation of Qatar National Vision 2030, that endeavor to capitalize on healthy preparation of a leading generation who enjoys sound psychology and physiology to participate in the path towards prosperity and development of Qatar.

Gamal Abdel Nasser is considered one of the most important political figures in the Arab and developing worlds in the 20th century. He had huge impact on the course of international politics during his 18 years rule. Arabs are still divided regarding his character and political approach. Some view him as a leader, patriot, decent national figure, a symbol of dignity and the mastermind of liberal renaissance project realizing a wide range of economic, social and cultural achievements to his own people together with elevating the esteem of Egypt and Arabs in the international community. While others see him as a dictatorial ruler having established a totalitarian regime; opposed democracy and political diversity; being unsuccessful military officer that implicated and exhausted the Egyptian army in international conflicts. Moreover, he took major part in the Setback (Al-naksa) of June 1967, and behind the widespread phenomena of the one and only leader in some Arab countries.

Al-Hajri: Sport Day reflects the welfare Qatar lives today and its Government’s keen interest in the well-being of individual and family H.E Mr. Ali bin Fahad Al-Hajri, the Minister›s Assistant for Foreign Affairs, inaugurated the ceremony with an address that welcomes attendants and participants in the National Sport Day. He calls for everyone to exercise and enjoy playing sports. He also mentioned that all endorsed ambassadors in Qatar have participated along with their families in the celebrations of the National Sport Day. He took the opportunity to thank them all for their active response and effective participation. His Excellency stressed the fact that Qatar’s adoption and promotion of National Sport Day may encourage other countries to adopt the same idea. He confirmed that these sport events and activities is a practical rehearsal on how to deal with big sport festivals such as World Cup 2022.

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His Excellency added that it is evident what Qatar has achieved on sport in the Arab, regional and international levels. These sport achievements are the product of the

Issue 5 - March 2013

Reports

Spotlight

Gamal Abdel Nasser

unlimited support of H.H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, The Emir of Qatar, and H.H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani, the Heir Apparent.

Issue 5 - March 2013

Articles

Spotlight on:

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

The Global Risks Report for 2013

Following many initiatives and calls for finding a collective formula that guarantee the security and stability for the Arab Gulf States, “ the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf” was formed of six Gulf states: United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman, State of Kuwait, and the State of Qatar. Among these initiatives were, Muscat Forum held in November 1976; the calls from Kuwait in the late of 1978 as well as from Bahrain and UAE, and the meeting of the GCCs leaders in the margin of the 11th Arab Summit Conference held in 1980 in Amman. The idea of establishing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was emerged during the Islamic Summit in Ta’if, on the margin of which the Summit Conference of the Gulf State Leaders was held. In 4 February 1980, the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of these states was convened and initialed the declaration of GCC establishment. In 25 and 26 May 1981, the summit of GCC six member leaders was held in Abu Dhabi in which the council regulations were signed and a statement indicating its organizational structure, foundations and objectives and the role of its members in fostering regional, Arab and international issues was issued. The said statement also declared the establishment of five committees: the economic and social planning, the financial and economic cooperation, the industrial cooperation, the Oil industry, and the social and cultural services. Mr. Abullah Bishara from the State of Kuwait was appointed as the first GCC Secretary General.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks 2013 report is developed from an annual survey of more than 1,000 experts from industry, government, academia and civil society who were asked to review a landscape of 50 global risks. The global risk that respondents rated most likely to manifest over the next 10 years is severe income disparity, while the risk rated as having the highest impact if it were to manifest is major systemic financial failure. There are also two risks appearing in the top five of both impact and likelihood – chronic fiscal imbalances and water supply crisis.

An objective of the GCC is to effect coordination, integration and interconnection among the Member States in all fields in order to achieve unity According to the article 4 of the GCC Charter, the basic objectives of the Gulf Cooperation Council are as follows: 1. To effect co-ordination, integration and inter-connection between member states in all fields in order to achieve unity between them.

Ahmed Mahmoud Jumaa*

The Qatari approach is much closer to aptitude in using the soft power During the last decade, the State of Qatar assumed prominent roles on the level of negotiation and mediation in its immediate neighborhood teeming with problems and challenges. In spite of its tiny size, it managed to make significant difference in the approaching and treating techniques in which it invested its immense resources and acquired expertise. Let alone, it gained appreciation by some parties such as Iran, Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, which others may find embarrassing to deal with. Time comes to speak in a straight course about the approach of Qatar and it being far away from the influence of pressures by reason of its abstract power together with keeping distance from the stickcarrot approach adopted and mastered by greater powers such as the United States. Such approach is much closer to the aptitude of using the means known in diplomacy field as “Soft Power”, a concept developed by Joseph Nye, distinguished thinker and former dean of the Politics and Government School at Harvard University. It involves many steps defined in his book titled “The Soft Power”, based on motivation, inducement, persuasion and advice and with no explicit or hidden intrigues or recourse to the hard power in any of its well known aspects.

Top Five Risks by Likelihood and Impact Likelihood

a. Economic affairs.

Impact

b. Commerce, customs and communications. c. Educational and cultural affairs. d. Social and health affairs. e. Information and tourism.

The Mechanism of “Good Offices” By Dr. Abdullah Al Madani * “Good Offices” means in general the efforts and endeavors made by a country (or by international or regional organization) either publicly or privately in order to settle the existing disputes between two countries and bringing them to negotiating table through using its international leverage, powers and weight as well as good relations with the disputing parties. This diplomatic mechanism has emerged from a conference held in April 1756 in Paris by the superpowers. They have agreed that in case any dispute erupts between two countries for any reasons and before the two disputing countries resorts to arms, a friendly country must take the initiative to offer “its good offices”. This country should exert its efforts to reconcile the disputing parties’ different viewpoints, remove any obstacles to reach a settlement and defuse tension between them. This can be attained by using its international or moral leverage, utilizing its friendly and cordial ties with the two disputants and using all ways of persuasion and influence as well as means of flexibility, patience and concealment. The mentioned conference has concluded that “good offices” efforts will end once a preliminary agreement on direct negotiation procedures between the (two) disputants is reached or when a disputant party assign a country that initiated “good offices”, or an eminent international figure to co-ordinate and supervise such negotiations. These “good offices” then, transform into official “mediation” that undergoes special rules. The United Nations and the mechanism of “good offices”

of forces dispatched for peacekeeping and disengagement between civil war parties as Mr. Dag Hammarskjold, the Swedish second U.N Secretary General did in Congo in 1960. It can also be in a form of “fact-finding mission” like what Mr. U Thant, the third U.N Secretary General who was from Burma, did in 1970 to solve the Question of Bahrain. Supervision and help the withdrawal of invading troops from a country is another form of good offices which was used by the fifth U.N Secretary General Mr. Javier Perez De Cuellar in 1989 to oversee the withdrawal of the Soviet troops from Afghanistan.

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2. To deepen and strengthen relations, links and areas of cooperation now prevailing between their peoples in various fields. 3. To formulate similar regulations in various fields including the following:

The Qatari Diplomatic experience in Conflict Resolution through Negotiations

f. Legislative and administrative affairs.

4. To stimulate scientific and technological progress in the fields of industry, mining, agriculture, water and animal resources: to establish scientific research: to establish joint ventures and encourage cooperation by the private sector for the good of their peoples.

* A Bahraini academic researcher and lecturer of international relations and an expert on Asian affairs

Issue 5 - March 2013

Publications

Book Review

Articles

* Former Egyptian Ambassador

Issue 5 - March 2013

This diplomatic term is currently used in the United Nations’ parlance to refer to the powers the U.N Secretary General has been invested with to exert efforts either by himself or by his representatives to prevent international crises or limit international escalations and their negative impact on global peace and security. These efforts can take different forms according to the nature of the existing crisis; it can take the form

Publications of the Diplomatic Institute:

Report on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Qatar Within the framework to measure progress that has been achieved by Qatar against the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as adopted by the United Nations in 2000, Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) and the Diplomatic Institute at the Foreign Ministry published the fourth report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in the State of Qatar. This report was issued in collaboration with some ministries and government institutions concerned with the causes and issues pertinent to the various aspects of development in the State of Qatar.

The Strategic depth

The preface to this report was wrote by H.E Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor bin Jassim Al-Thani; the Chairman of the Statistics Authority, and H.E the Ambassador Dr. Hassan Bin Ibrahim AlMohannadi; the Director of the Diplomatic Institute. In preface, they referred to Qatar’s endeavor to achieve the MDGs that was ratified in 2000 as one of the means to unify the national and international effort; and as a way to preserve the state notable image in adopting the issues of economic and social development on both international and national sector. They added that it is also out of Qatar belief that such goals are the most significant and comprehensive for the development work. In addition, such goals are consistent with the respective goals of the national development strategy 2011-2016.

Turkey’s position and role in the international arena

Author: Ahmed Daoud Oghlo (Foreign Ministry of Turkey)

E-Diplomacy.. Smart Power

By: Awwad Ali*

Translated by: Mohamed Gaber Thalgi and Tarek Abduljaleel. Published by: Arab Scientific Publishers, Al-Jazeera Center For Studies, 2010.

They further illustrated that the State of Qatar has reached most of MDGs ahead of the deadline identified within 1990 to 2015. This is realized through:

At the preface of this Arabic edition, the author highlights the occurrence of the radical changes in Turkey’s foreign policy since the issuance of the book in its Turkish edition in 2001. He indicated how this policy is thus far subject to an ongoing, changing process. “When the Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power in 2002, the Turkish government had endeavored to redefine the basics of the foreign policy and cast new dimensions thereon…and it did find its way to application and effectuation, making landslide and tangible achievements. The most profound of which is the transformation of the relations between Arab countries and Turkey to the extent that they have been established by common collaborative grounds after dissipating glooming milieus of disputes and conflicts..”. Tackling the dynamic revolution of Turkey in its entirety, the book is divided into three main parts: the conceptual and historical framework; the theoretical framework: the strategy phases and geographical regionrelated policies; and the fields of application: the strategy tools and regional policies, in addition to a conclusion and appendix approaching the outcome of “The Strategic depth: Turkey being a centralized state”.

Faisal Al-Zubair Hadra *

In antiquity, Diplomacy was given a definition by man and developed in its missions and practices across the ages. The so called "e-Diplomacy" has, nowadays, appeared to unveil new techniques and approaches in connection with the practice of diplomacy and international relations via internet and information and communication technology (ICT). The term further refers to probing into the impact of such tools on the contemporary diplomatic practices. E-Diplomacy can be rendered as a e-government related subset including Internet Diplomacy, Cyber Diplomacy and digital Diplomacy, which recognized and acknowledged by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of UK as "A solution for foreign political issues via internet, and a way of practicing the traditional diplomacy through different means and a broad range of presence and direct communication with the civil society as well as governments and influential individuals." The broad steps we follow in any digital diplomacy activity are: Listen: find out which blogs, groups and forums are already discussing the issue, gauge their attitudes; publish: creatively push out our messages in news, blogs, videos, pictures, across our global web presence; Engage: encourage questions, take part where the debate is happening, form partnerships with relevant organizations and online groups; then evaluate: explore how far we achieved what we set out to do, what could we do better next time? What is our target audience? What do colleagues and partners think of? And knowing further about the way the digital diplomacy is put into action (1).

From the Political Dictionary

• Eradicating poverty and hunger, • The human development index going higher in the State of Qatar than that in many developed countries, • Achieving universal primary education, • Promoting gender equality with respect to education, • Reducing Child and maternal mortality, • Combating HIV/AIDs, Malaria, Tuberculosis contagious diseases,

and other

• Ensuring environmental sustainability and, • Developing a global partnership for development.

Their excellences made it clear that Qatar is taking steady strides on the right track to realize the objective of woman empowerment and raising her economic and political contribution−even it needed time for changing some social customs and traditions. It has achieved remarkable progress to such effect. The MDGs also reflect humankind’s aspirations for a better life through a selected set of goals defined in clear figures and explicit time references. For the period 1990-2015, countries have agreed to halve the proportion of people who suffer from poverty and hunger, achieve primary education, promote gender equality, reduce by two-thirds the underfive mortality rate, by three-quarters, the maternal mortality ratio, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB and other contagious diseases, ensure environmental sustainability, and develop a global partnership for development. Nevertheless, most of MDGs has been attained by Qatar, this reports is designed to follow up these attainments by analyzing indicators through measuring eight main pillars. Each of these pillars represents one of the targets that is based on accurate statistical data, documenting achievements, highlighting the challenges hindering what has not so far been realized. In addition, it provides suggestions and conclusions for the ways to face such challenges making sure that all MDGs will be achieved ahead of the set deadline. The report is divided into eight chapters, each of which separately addressing one of MDGs.

International Law

Constitutional Law A set of fundamental legal rules defining the form of state (unitary or federal state); the type of government (monarchy or republican, dictatorial or democratic, parliamentary democracy or no parliamentary system...); the regulation of the public authorities of the state (legislative, executive and judicial) in terms of their formation, authorities and interrelations with each other; the basic rights of individuals and the organization of their relationships with the state and its underlying authorities. The term "Constitutional Law" stands as a synonym of the constitution, which is construed as the state's fundamental law, because it regulates all the aforementioned issues. The constitutional dictations are placed at the apex of the state's legal system, prevailing over otherwise rules and measures taken by the public authorities, including the legislative authority per se, which is established and formulated by and in accordance with the constitution itself. Thus; the legislative authority, when practicing its duties in issuing laws, must fully comply with the principles of the constitution. Otherwise, it would surpass its authorities and, thus, produce void laws since it violated the constitution. This legal principle is well known as the constitutionalization of laws.

A collection of rules and customs govern the relations between countries. International Law was gradually developed and enacted through and in consistence with treaties, courts, international conferences and old deeprooted practices. The international court's internal law stipulates the ground on which the international laws are founded which the court resort in reference to issues presented thereto are resolved: a. the International Agreements, whether private or general, setting the rules apparently recognized by the disputing parties; b. the International Customs evidently rendered as a general practice applicable in place of the law, c. the general principles of the law admitted by the civilized nations. Although no public authority exists to apply the International Law, the Security Council is authorized to enforce the resolutions enacted by the United Nation, which represent almost all states of the world. These resolutions are considered integral part of the International Law. However, each member of the Security Council five permanent states have the right to “veto” any resolution by the Council, whereby such resolution becomes null and not applicable. The Council further lacks the permanent police forces. Thus, the application of the International Law is still, in most cases, subject to the balance of power between the disputing parties.

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*The Arab and international affairs editor of, Al Sharq Newspaper, Qatar.

Chapter 1: Goal 1 - Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

The first part of the book comprises three chapters discussing: the measures of power and the strategic planning; clarifying the equation of power and the constant and variable factors, the human factor and its enormous impact on the development of strategy and reanalysis of the Turkish power factors, defining the deficiencies of the strategic theory of Turkey and the implications thereof, viewing the historical

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* Media consultant, The Diplomatic Institute

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It has been reached by the State of Qatar ahead of the 2015 deadline. The three targets under this goal have been met: improving the living standards of the individuals, securing the highest rate of income never overstepped by any country over the whole world, besides providing proper job opportunities for all the members of the society from both genders in such decent conditions, while ensuring proper nutrition and growth for the different categories of the society. This leads Qatar to a distinctive position among countries of high living standards, ranking the 37th position according to the 2011 report of the Human Development Index (HDI( issued by UNDP. Qatar got 0.831 on the HDI report, which uses education, health and GDP as parameters.

heritage and Turkey position in the international arena and the infrastructure of the turkey political culture with its developments in aftermath of the cold war. In this specific part, the author illustrates that the Turkish society witnessed a thoroughly historical disassociation from identity, culture and institutions on which the political system built by the political elite with an intention to cope with the Western culture after

Issue 5 - March 2013

Follow-ups

The Second Harvest Al-Khalifa: Development of national capabilities tops the priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Diplomatic Institute completed the second four-month training program (September-December 2012), and to mark this event, a graduation ceremony was held for a batch of 27 graduates. H.E Rashid bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, Ministerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Assistant for Services Affairs, and H.E Dr. Saeb Erekat, PLO Executive Committee Member and Palestinian top negotiator, attended the ceremony. At the beginning, H.E Rashid bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa addressed the ceremony and extended his congratulations to the trainees on the successful completion of the training program. Al-Khalifa stated that the top priority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to enhance the national capabilities. He also indicated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeks, under the wise leadership of the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani, and the direct supervision of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H.E Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah, to attract and prepare competent Qatari personnel in a sound way to take over responsibility in the future. He paid tribute to the diplomatic institute headed by H.E Dr. Hassan bin Ibrahim Al-Mohannadi for the

4 Issue 5 - March 2013

Follow-ups

Dr. Erekat praises the initiative for the establishment of the diplomatic institute H.E Dr. Saeb Erekat also addressed the ceremony, and at the beginning of his speech, he extended his congratulations to the graduates. He praised the efforts made by the Qatari foreign ministry to establish the Diplomatic Institute for preparing, giving required skills and raising the theoretical, scientific and practical capacity for all diplomats and employees at the ministry. This comes at a time when the Qatari Foreign Policy, according to fair observers, made great successes. This would require a national cadre qualified enough to bear responsibility in the future in order to guarantee this continuous success. Dr. Erekat indicated that during conducting some courses in the diplomatic institute, he encountered competent Qatari students who deserve commendation. They would be professionally able to represent Qatar in regional and international forums. Dr Erekat concluded his address by extending his thanks to the state of Qatar for its honorable stance on Palestinian cause on all levels.

At the end of the ceremony, H.E Rashid Bin Khalifa AlKhalifa presented the graduation certificates and gifts to the graduates: Jumaa Al-Kubaissi, Mohammad Mohammad, Khalifa Al-Mahmoud, Rashid Al-Ali, Shafi Al-Hajri, Tarek Abdulghani, Abdurahman Al-Suwaidi, Abdulaziz ALKuwari, Abdulaziz Al-Ali, Abdullah Al-Malki, Ali Al-Athba, Ghanim Al-Marri, Fahad Al-Thani, Faisal Al-Nuaimi, Mubarak Al-Nuaimi, Mohammad Al-Kuwari, Mansour AlDossari, Mansour Al-Shahwani, Nawaf Al-Kuwari, Hashim Al-Sadah, Sheikha Al-Marri, Sheikha Al-Ghazal, Dhabia Al-Maadeed, Aisha Al-Khal, Aisha Al-Sulaiti, Mashael AlSulaiteen and Nour Al-Mohannadi.

Graduates: Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve benefited enormously and will do our best to raise our capacities. At the end of the ceremony, an interview was conducted with some of the graduates to explore their feedback about the training program. They all agreed to express their gratefulness to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E Sheikh

Afterward, Mr. Shafi Al-Hajri delivered a speech on behalf of the graduates expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H.E Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah for their keenness to raise national capacities. He also extended his gratitude to H.E the Ministerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Assistant for Services Affairs H.E Mr. Rashid bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa and the director of the Diplomatic Institute for their continuous follow-up for the participants in the training course. Al-Hajri indicated that the training course provided all the fundamentals and basic skills necessary for any diplomat, and they are fully aware that diplomatic service is a duty and not an honorary title. He added that it is a huge responsibility we have to shoulder, therefore; we are willing to work in any place in the world to protect the interests of the state of Qatar.

5 Issue 5 - March 2013

Follow-ups As for the advantages gained from participating in the training program, Shafi Al-Hajri, another graduate stated that the training courses covered by the program raised the level of the trainees. These courses highlighted lots of relevant topics to the diplomatic service. He stressed that he and his colleagues are very proud and lucky to be part of the ministry and participating in this program. They will be keen to develop their capabilities and experiences in all levels of the Diplomatic Service. On his feelings about the training program, the graduate Abdul Aziz Al-Kuwari said that he felt very happy to join the Ministry and the training program. It provided an excellent experiences and knowledge that would be useful for him in Diplomatic service and he shall always be eager to develop his kills and capabilities.

Hamad bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al-Thani, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, H.E Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah and Assistant Minister for Service Affairs, H.E Mr. Rashid bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa for their enormous attention and unlimited support to provide all the requirements for a successful training program. Hisham Al-Sada, a graduate of the program, expressed his thanks and gratitude to the Diplomatic Institute for the great opportunity he and his colleagues were given through the training program. It granted them basic experience and knowledge in the diplomatic field. He also expressed his willingness to serve in any position assigned to him by the Ministry.

6 Issue 5 - March 2013

Abdullah Al-Nuaimi, who graduated top of the second batch, said the skills provided by the training program are of paramount importance. As for him, he added, it is just the beginning that requires exerting more efforts and keenness to gain other experiences through the work in the diplomatic service, particularly with the need nowadays for considerable experience and various skills in the field of diplomacy. Ali Al-Athba, another graduate, affirmed that he benefited from the lectures delivered during the training course because they were comprehensive and covered many disciplines. He said that he will always be eager to develop his abilities through practical experience, reading, and updating my knowledge. AlAthba expressed his gratitude to the diplomatic institute for the efforts it exerted for the training program to achieve success.

Follow-ups

Al-Attiyah: The Sport Day is a representation of Qatar National Vision 2030 Under the slogan of the Sport Day “Be Proud, You Participated” and for the second consecutive year, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, 12 February, has celebrated the National Sport Day. All staff of the Ministry and the endorsed diplomatic missions in Qatar has participated in these celebrations. Celebrations started with a group 3-km walkathon and a variety of sport activities including football, volleyball and table tennis in addition to other local popular sports like camel and horse riding.

H.E Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, stressed the fact that the National Sport Day will always be celebrated as a milestone for modern Qatar. His Excellency also emphasized the importance of sport as one of the most effective tools and mechanisms of popular diplomacy. It complements formal diplomacy, and has a more profound effect considering the widespread and effective popularity of the latter. Sport also contributes in entrenching the principal values of forgiveness, reconciliation, mutual respect and cooperation, while plays an important major role on the individual and society level. His Excellency continued to say that assigning a national day for sport by the state is a true representation of Qatar National Vision 2030, that endeavor to capitalize on healthy preparation of a leading generation who enjoys sound psychology and physiology to participate in the path towards prosperity and development of Qatar. His Excellency added that it is evident what Qatar has achieved on sport in the Arab, regional and international levels. These sport achievements are the product of the

unlimited support of H.H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, The Emir of Qatar, and H.H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani, the Heir Apparent.

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Follow-ups Dean of Diplomat Corps: National Sport Day enhances the role played by culture and sport in community H.H Mr. Ali Ibrahim Ahmed, Eretria’s Ambassador in Qatar, applauded the idea of the National Sport Day, which distinguished Qatar from the rest of the world. He thanked the Qatari Government for celebrating such a day in a way that enhances the role of culture and sport in the society. His Excellency said that such annual sport event should reinforce the ties between the Qatari people and the diplomat corps in Qatar, considering it as one of the most valuable results of the national day. He continued to say that Qatar became a pioneering country in various types of sport due to the unlimited support of its wise leadership, and its strong belief of the importance of sport and its effect on people’s life. Celebrations of this day come in line with Qatar’s gearing up to host the greatest achievements of world sport, i.e. 2022. He also expected that this day could encourage other Arab countries to dedicate an annual national sport day.

Honoring Ambassador Al-Sahlawi The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has honored H.E Ambassador Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Sahlawi, Director of Arab Affairs Department. and ex-president of Qatar Billiards & Snooker Federation. H.E has highly hailed the symbolism of the sport national day activities. In a statement to the press, he stressed that the objective of the sport day is to encourage people of all ages to play sports on a daily basis and do physical exercises because sport is for all.

Ambassadors hail the sport day initiative Heads of diplomat missions in Doha have expressed their pleasure that they have participated in the national sport day activities organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. H.E Mr. Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Wahibi, the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman in Qatar, has assured that the Sport National Day is a milestone in modern Qatar. H.E Mr. Waheed Mubarak Sayaar, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Qatar, has highly praised the wide participation in the national sport day, which comes as another unique initiative that Qatar launches in order to raise awareness of health, well-being, and welfare. He also valued all other Qatar’s initiatives to build and add value to all people living on its land. Furthermore, H.E Mr. Mohammed Al-Munzar, the Ambassador of the republic of Tunisia, has wished the continuity of the national day experiment and the practice of sport all over the year. H.E Mrs. Suzan Ziyadeh, the Ambassador of the United States of America, has considered the national sport day an important initiative and a positive occasion for Qatar’s citizens and residents to realize the importance of sport in daily life, especially at this part of the year where the climate encourages exercise. She continued that health is the most precious thing in life. She also praised H.H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani’s support of sport and the efforts exerted by the Government to find positive occasions for citizens to live a better life. On the other hand, H.E Dr. Jawad Al-Hindawi, the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq hailed the idea as a brilliant and unprecedented one. He added that this event is not common practice in other societies that appreciate exercising sport. This makes the idea of a national sport day a unique product of Qatar’s creativity in the field of sport. In addition, it is highly positive idea that benefits Qataris citizens and expatriates; as playing sport is open for all and encouraged by the government of Qatar. H.E Mr. Al-Mekki Kuwan, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, also has praised the Emiri Decree of assigning a national sport day. H.E considered it encourages all citizens and residents of Qatar to exercise sports due to its importance and positive impact on human life. Moreover, H.E Mr. Eugene Gao, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, stated that this is his first time to participate in the national sport day. He indicated that people could not live happily unless they enjoy good health; and exercise is best way to get healthy bodies. He added also that sport is a global language and a bridge that reinforce ties between different peoples. Sport can play a major role in exchanging ideas, strengthen links and understanding among the world

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Follow-ups peoples. He stressed that Qatar’s adoption of this unique idea reflect a creative approach in enriching people›s life. In addition, H.E Mr. Munair Ghanam, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine in Qatar, has stated that it is his second time to participate in the sport day. He added that the event is an outstanding initiative that highlights the attentiveness of the political leadership of the importance of sport and healthy lifestyle. In addition, H.E Mr. Kenjiro Monji, the Ambassador of Japan in Qatar, has congratulated Qatar on the celebration of the consecutive second National Sport Day. H.E praised Qatar’s emphasis on the importance of sport, education and culture in addition to economics and diplomacy. He also stated that the national sport day offers a great opportunity for everyone in Qatar, especially the diplomat corps, to participate in encouraging sport in Qatar.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Won for second consecutive year

Qatar Diplomatic missions and consulates celebrate the national sport day: To convey the message of the National Sport Day, all Qatar’s diplomatic missions and consulates have celebrated the sport day. Wide varieties of sport activities organized to celebrate the day, these included walkathons, ice-skating and other sports.

After very competitive and enthusiastic final matches of football and volleyball, the MoFA’s football team has won against Eretria’s team: 6-0 score. H.E Mr. Ali bin Fahad AlHajri, The Minister›s Assistant for Foreign Affairs, has handed the team the 1st rank Tournament Cup. In volleyball, the MoFA’s team has won the Indonesian team: 3-1 matches. Then, the team was handed the Tournament Cup from H.E Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohamed bin Jabor Al-Thani, the Minister Assistant for International Cooperation.

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Public Figures

‫‏‬Gamal Abdel Nasser ‫ ‏‬amal Abdel Nasser is considered one of the most G important political figures in the Arab and developing worlds in the 20th century. He had huge impact on the course of international politics during his 18 years rule. Arabs are still divided regarding his character and political approach. Some view him as a leader, patriot, decent national figure, a symbol of dignity and the mastermind of liberal renaissance project realizing a wide range of economic, social and cultural achievements to his own people together with elevating the esteem of Egypt and Arabs in the international community. While others see him as a dictatorial ruler having established a totalitarian regime; opposed democracy and political diversity; being unsuccessful military officer that implicated and exhausted the Egyptian army in international conflicts. Moreover, he took major part in the Setback (Al-naksa) of June 1967, and behind the widespread phenomena of the one and only leader in some Arab countries.

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Public Figures ‫‏‬Childhood and education ‫‏‬Gamal Abdel Nasser was born on 15 January 1918 in Alexandria. He was the first son of Abdel Nasser Hussein Khalil Sultan who was born in 1888 in the village “Beni Mur” of Upper Egypt in a farmer family, who received some education that allowed him to get a job with the postal service in Alexandria. ‫‏‬In 1925, Nasser attended the Nahhasin elementary school in El-gammaliya district in Cairo and lived with his uncle Khalil Hussein in a poor suburb for three years. In 1930, he moved to the Ras El-tin elementary school in Alexandria where he formed his national sentiment. In the same year, the government of Ismail Sidqi issued a royal decree revoking the 1923 constitution. This event fuelled the student demonstrations demanding the end of colonialism and re-installation of the constitution. Nasser had participated and wounded in the demonstration, and taken to the police station.

‫‏‬The start of his political activity

his graduation, Nasser joined the infantry and was transported to Minkabad in Upper Egypt where he had the opportunity to become closer to the peasants and their misery. It was also there that he met Zakarya Mohy El-din and Anwar El-sadat. In 1939, upon his request to move to Sudan, Nasser served in Khartoum and in Jabal Awliya’ where he met Zakarya Mohy El-din and Abdel Hakim Amer. In May 1940, he was promoted to first class lieutenant. At that time the Egyptian army was a non-combatant one-a status which the British forces strove to maintain. However, a new group of officers with a new vision joined the army. They considered their role in the army a step towards the bigger mission of freeing the nation. Nasser brought his ideals with him to Minkabad, but was disappointed to find that most of the officers there were “corrupt and inefficient”. This made him think of reforming the army and root out its corruptions.

‫‏‬Going through such experience, Nasser turned into a zealous student energized by the power of anger and overwhelmed by the sense of freedom. He vowed to strive, struggle and combat for the sake of freedom he protested for without knowing its meaning but with a deep sense on him. Ever since, his political activity was inflamed in school in spite of his young age, which caused disturbances to the school administration and sent many alerts to his parent who moved him to Cairo in response. In 1933, he joined the Elnahda secondary school located in El-daher district in Cairo. He continued with his political activity and became the head of the school student union. Meanwhile, his passion for reading and interest in history and patriotic subjects came to surface. ‫‏‬The year 1935 witnessed a great revolutionary student-led movement calling for the re-installation of the constitution and for independence. Upon the release of the November statement of Samuel Hoare, British foreign secretary, in which he declared Britain’s refusal to re-install the Egyptian constitution, several student and worker demonstrations broke out. On 13 November, Nasser led a demonstration by secondary school students in which he sustained injuries to his forehead from a shot by the British police forces. Under the pressure of popular protests, a royal decree was issued on 12 December 1935 to reinstall 1923 constitution. ‫‏‬Nasser joined the students who approached leaders’ in their homes urging them to unite for the sake of Egypt. These efforts fruited in the establishment of the Egyptian Nationalist Movement in 1936. ‫‏‬Nasser’s intensified political activity during that period as reported by the Police led to his expulsion from El-nahda School charged with instigating students to revolt. However, the principal was forced to revoke his decision following strikes by students and their threat to set fire to the school.

‫‏‬Military Career Once in the Military Academy, Nasser had a clear vision: “to become a qualified officer and to acquire the necessary knowledge and experience to enable him to become a leader”which he did, becoming ‘team leader’ with the task of training new officers, among whom was Abdel Hakim Amer. Following

‫‏‬The notion of revolution in his mind ‫‏‬By the end of 1941, while Rommel was progressing towards the western Egyptian territory, Nasser returned to Egypt where he was assigned to a British battalion close to the frontier near Alamein. He recollects, “At that time the thought of revolution became deeply embedded in my mind, however, the way to accomplish it was still obscure. I was mainly concerned with gathering a number of young, enthusiastic officers who aspired to free the nation. With this intention we could all serve this cause.” ‫‏‬On 4 February 1942, during Nasser’s service in Alamein, the British ambassador Sir Miles Lampson surrounded the Abdeen Palace in Cairo with tanks. Lampson submitted an ultimatum to King Farouk to pressure the monarch—under threat of forced abdication—into assigning a pro-Britain government led by Moustafa El-nahas. The King acquiesced with no objections. Such acquiescence infuriated Nasser and increased his determination to do something that would restore the Egyptian dignity. ‫‏‬In the same year, Nasser was promoted to the rank of captain. In February 1943, he was appointed as instructor at

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Public Figures the Military Academy. It is clear during that period that some of his readings include the works of the great military writers like Liddell Hart and Clausewitz as well as the writings of politicians and political authors like Cromwell and Churchill. He was also preparing to join the College of Chiefs of Staff. ‫‏‬On 29 June 1944, Nasser married Tahiyya Mohammed Kazim. Nasser and Tahiyya had two daughters and three sons: Hoda, Mona, Khalid, Abdel Hamid, and Abdel Hakim. Tahiyya played an influential role in his life especially during preparations for the revolution and the formation of the Free Officers Movement. She took full responsibility of their small family when he was fighting in Palestine War. She also helped him hide weapons when he was training Egyptian commandos to fight against the British military base in the Suez Canal in 1951 and 1952.

‫‏‬Following the decision in September 1947 to divide Palestine, the Free Officers decided that it was time to defend the Arabs’ rights

in the war against Israel after the latter becoming a state due to the resolution of division. Nasser was among officers who participated in the war after being promoted to major. Nasser was injured twice during the Palestine war and transported to the hospital. In 1949, he was awarded the ‘Military Star’ medal owing to his distinguished role during the war.

After the Nakba (Catastrophe Day), Nasser realized that the real battle is there in Egypt ‫‏‬Free Officers Movement: The year 1945 marked the end of World War II and the beginning of the Free Officers Movement. Following the UN resolution in September 1947 to divide Palestine, the Free Officers met and decided that it was time to defend the Arabs’rights against violation of human dignity and international justice and to support the opposition in Palestine. In 1948, the Egyptian government officially asked the army to participate

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In aftermath of the Nakba (catastrophe) and upon his return to Cairo, Nasser realized that the real battle in Egypt. As he found out that during the time he was fighting in Palestine, the politicians were busy heaping up profits of the corrupt weapons they cheaply bought then sold to the army. He was convinced that it was necessary to concentrate his efforts on attacking Mohammed Ali’s family; hence king Farouk was the target of the Free Officer’s Movement since the end of 1948. It was Nasser’s intention to carry out the revolution in 1955; however, the ongoing events obliged him to instigating it earlier.

Public Figures the presidential post remained vacant and the Revolutionary Council headed by Nasser took charge.

‫‏‬Assuming presidency ‫‏‬Nasser was elected as President following a referendum held on 24 June 1956 according to the first constitution of the Revolution of 16 January 1956. ‫‏‬On 22 February 1958, Nasser became President of the United Arab Republic after the union between Egypt and Syria. This has continued until their separation on 28 September 1961 executed by the leaders of the coup d’état in the Syrian Army. In the aftermath of the 1967 war, Nasser went on the public declaring his resignation. That fuelled huge demonstrations in various cities of Egypt, especially Cairo, refusing his resignation.

On 12 May 1948, after his return from Palestine Nasser was appointed as a lecturer in ‘Arkan Harb’ College where he passed the exams with honors. The Free Officers activities resumed and an executive committee was composed headed by Nasser and its members include: Kamal El-din Hussein, Abdel Hakim Amer, Hussein Ibrahim, Salah Salem, Abdel Latif Al-bughdadi, Khalid Mohy El-din, Anwar El-sadat, Hussein Elshafii, Zakarya Mohy El-din, and Gamal Salem. This is the same panel that later became the Security Council in 1950 and 1951.

‫‏‬In 1968, the demonstrations of Egyptian Universities walked into streets calling for those responsible for the Al-naksa (Setback) hold accountable, and accordingly, Nasser issued the declaration of 30 March. This declaration is viewed by the thinker and judge Tarik Al-bishri as an outset of new stage along the revolution path intended to pave the way to the establishment of institutions; which would help change the structure of the republic and release Egypt slowly from the authoritarian rule. Nevertheless, those steps did not continue due to the death of Nasser in 28 September 1970 and the change of visions of his ruling successors.

The revolution

‫‏‬Achievements of Nasser’s era

On 8 May 1951, Nasser was promoted to the rank of Major. During the same year, he secretly organized along with the Free Officers, the commandos’ war against the British forces in the Suez Canal region, which lasted until the beginning of 1952. During that time, there was an ongoing open dispute between the Free officers and the King on what is known as ‹the crisis of military officers’ club elections’. Nasser, as the head of the Free Officer Panel, decided to advance the time of the revolution and the army started moving on the night of 23 July 1952 occupying the building of High Commandment in Kubri Al-kuba, and arresting the leaders who were discussing how to deal with the Free Officers after the leakage of some information about them.

‫‏‬Many achievements have been accomplished in the era of Nasser. These achievements include: signing the Evacuation Treaty with Britain in 1954; changing the River Nile streaming and the building the High Dam; creating the non-alignment movement with Tito, Yugoslavian President, Sukarno, the Indonesian President, and Nehru, the Indian statesman; enacting laws regarding the agricultural reform and the limitation of land acquisition; nationalizing the private and foreign banks operating in Egypt; establishing the Egyptian television; extending the free education to be applied to all stages; progressively expanding the manufacturing industries; achieving thorough cultural renaissance; supporting the Algerian revolution and the Palestine cause.

Following the success of revolution, Mohammed Naguib was presented as its leader. Two month earlier, the free officers had approached Naguib to join them if the trial succeeded. However, the actual authority remained in the hand of the Revolutionary Council headed by Nasser until 25 August 1952 when Naguib Joined the Council by a decree. Naguib became the council chairperson after Nasser relinquished the post for him. In February 1954, Mohammed Naguib resigned after disputes widened between him and the members of the Revolutionary Council. Nasser was nominated as Chairman of the Revolution Command Council and as Prime Minister. ‫‏‬On 26 October 1954, an assassinate attempt on Nasser by a member of the Muslim Brotherhood took place during a speech in Manshiya Square in Alexandria. Moreover, after interrogations with the Muslim Brotherhood, it was apparent that Naguib had been in touch with them and even promised to support them in case they managed to overthrow the existing regime. On 14 November 1954, the Revolutionary Council decided to discharge Naguib of all his responsibilities while

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Spotlight

Spotlight on:

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ‫‏‬Following many initiatives and calls for finding a collective formula that guarantee the security and stability for the Arab Gulf States, “ the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf” was formed of six Gulf states: United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman, State of Kuwait, and the State of Qatar. Among these initiatives were, Muscat Forum held in November 1976; the calls from Kuwait in the late of 1978 as well as from Bahrain and UAE, and the meeting of the GCCs leaders in the sideline of the 11th Arab Summit Conference held in 1980 in Amman. ‫‏‬The idea of establishing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was emerged during the Islamic Summit in Ta’if, on the sideline of which the Summit Conference of the Gulf State Leaders was held. In 4 February 1980, the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of these states was convened and initialed the declaration of GCC establishment. In 25 and 26 May 1981, the summit of GCC six member leaders was held in Abu Dhabi in which the council regulations were signed and a statement indicating its organizational structure, foundations and objectives and the role of its members in fostering regional, Arab and international issues was issued. The said statement also declared the establishment of five committees: the economic and social planning, the financial and economic cooperation, the industrial cooperation, the Oil industry, and the social and cultural services. Mr. Abullah Bishara from the State of Kuwait was appointed as the first GCC Secretary General.

‫ ‏‬n objective of the GCC is to effect coordination, integration and interA connection among the Member States in all fields in order to achieve unity ‫ ‏‬ccording to the article 4 of the GCC Charter, A the basic objectives of the Gulf Cooperation Council are as follows: 1. To effect co-ordination, integration and inter-connection between member states in all fields in order to achieve unity between them. 2. To deepen and strengthen relations, links and areas of cooperation now prevailing between their peoples in various fields. 3. To formulate similar regulations in various fields including the following:

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a. Economic affairs. b. Commerce, customs and communications. c. Educational and cultural affairs. d. Social and health affairs. e. Information and tourism. f. Legislative and administrative affairs. 4. To stimulate scientific and technological progress in the fields of industry, mining, agriculture, water and animal resources: to establish scientific research: to establish joint ventures and encourage cooperation by the private sector for the good of their peoples.

Spotlight ‫ ‏‬he Gulf Cooperation Council consists of the T following main entities: • The Supreme Council • The Ministerial Council • The Secretariat General

1‫ )‏‬The Supreme Council ‫‏‬This Council is composed of the heads of the MemberStates. Its presidency rotates periodically among the Member States in alphabetical order. It represents the highest authority of this organization. It is authorized in outlining the higher policy according to article 8 of the charter, which confers broad powers on the council for realizing its objectives. Such powers include: reviewing matters of interest to the member states, laying down the higher policy for the Cooperation Council and the basic lines it should follow, reviewing the recommendations, reports, studies and joint ventures submitted by the Ministerial Council for approval, reviewing reports and studies, which the Secretary-General is charged to prepare. The Council sanctions the basis for dealing with other states and international organizations, approving the rules of procedure of the Commission for the Settlement of Disputes and nominating its members, appointing the Secretary-General and amending the Charter of the Cooperation Council, approving the Council’s internal rules of procedure and approving the budget of the Secretariat General. The Supreme Council shall hold two regular sessions every year. Extraordinary sessions may be convened at the request of any member seconded by another member. ‫‏‬The Supreme Council shall hold its sessions in one of the member states. The Secretary General determines the beginning of sessions and suggests its closing dates. As regulated by the Charter, a Supreme Council’s meeting shall be considered valid if attend by two-thirds of the member states. For voting, each state shall have one vote, that is the principle of equality in the voting power. For the Charter, the Supreme Council may establish subagencies. It was decided to establish the Consultative Panel for the Gulf Cooperation Council in response to a proposal from the State of Kuwait in the Council session in 1997. It consists of 30 members from the GCC member of states, having absolute consultative role by virtue of which it discusses nothing but the issues the Supreme Council refers thereto.

T‫ ‏‬he Ministerial Council endeavor to encourage, develop and coordinate existing activities between member states in all fields. 2‫ )‏‬The Ministerial Council ‫ ‏‬he Ministerial Council is composed of the Foreign Ministers T of all the Member States or other delegated ministers. It is the organization that assists the Supreme Council in outlining and coordinating policies. Its presidency rotates periodically among the Member States in alphabetical order for a period of six months. The Charter gives this Council a wide range of powers: To propose policies, preparing recommendations, studies and projects aimed at

developing cooperation and coordination between member states in various fields and adopt the resolutions or recommendations required in this regard; endeavor to encourage, develop and coordinate existing activities between member states in all fields. Resolutions adopted in such matters shall be referred to the Ministerial Council for further submission, with recommendations to the Supreme Council for appropriate action. The Council submits recommendations to the concerned Ministers to formulate policies whereby the Cooperation Council’s resolutions may be put into effect. It encourage means of cooperation and coordination between the various private sector activities; develop existing cooperation between the member states’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry and to encourage the movement within the GCC of workers who are citizens of the member states. ‫‏‬The Ministerial Council appoints the three Assistants to the Secretary General, as nominated by him, for a renewable period of three year. The Ministerial Council convenes every three months and may hold extraordinary sessions at the invitation of any member seconded by another member. Resolutions are passed by unanimous consent except resolutions on procedural matters are passed by majority vote. The Charter approved the principle of equality in the voting power inside the Ministerial Council.

T‫ ‏‬he Secretariat General undertakes the preparation of studies related to cooperation, coordination, integrated plans and programs for the joint action of member states 3‫ )‏‬The Secretariat General ‫‏‬The Secretariat General is considered the entity that undertakes the managerial works. It is composed of a Secretary-General who is assisted by a number of assistants. The Supreme Council appoints the Secretary-General, who will be a citizen of one of the Cooperation Council states, for a period of three years, which may be renewed once only. The Secretary-General is directly responsible for the work of the Secretariat General and the smooth flow of work in its various organizations. He represents the Cooperation Council with other parties within the limits of the authority vested in him. The Secretariat General undertakes the preparation of studies related to cooperation, coordination, integrated plans and programs for the joint action of member states; the preparation of periodic reports on the work of the Cooperation Council; follow up the implementation of recommendations and resolutions of the Supreme Council and Ministerial Council; the preparation of reports and studies requested by the Supreme Council or Ministerial Council. Secretary General

From

Abdullah Yacoub Bishara, Kuwait

1981

1993

Fahim Bin Sultan Al-Qasimi, UAE

1993

1996

Jameel Ibrahim Al-Hujailan, Saudi Arabia

1996

2002

Abdulrahman Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Qatar

2002

2011

Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Bahrain

2011

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Reports

T‫ ‏‬he Global Risks Report for 2013 ‫ ‏‬he World Economic Forum’s Global Risks 2013 report is developed from an annual survey of more T than 1,000 experts from industry, government, academia and civil society who were asked to review a landscape of 50 global risks. ‫‏‬The global risk that respondents rated most likely to manifest over the next 10 years is severe income disparity, while the risk rated as having the highest impact if it were to manifest is major systemic financial failure. There are also two risks appearing in the top five of both impact and likelihood – chronic fiscal imbalances and water supply crisis.

‫‏‬Top Five Risks by Likelihood and Impact Likelihood

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Impact

Reports ‫‏‬Top Five Changes by Likelihood and Impact By Likelihood

By Impact

‫‏‬Unforeseen consequences of life science technologies was the biggest mover among global risks when assessing likelihood, while unforeseen negative consequences of regulation moved the most on the impact scale when comparing the result with last year’s.

resilience is being tested by rising global temperatures and extreme weather events that are likely to become more frequent and severe. A sudden and massive collapse on one front is certain to doom the other’s chance of developing an effective, long-term solution. Given the likelihood of future financial crises and natural catastrophes, are there ways to build resilience in our economic and environmental systems at the same time?

‫‏‬Three Risk Cases ‫‏‬The report introduces three risk cases, based on an analysis of survey results, consultation with experts and further research. Each case represents an interesting constellation of global risks and explores their impact at the global and national levels. The three risk cases are:

‫ ‏‬esting Economic and Environmental T Resilience ‫‏‬Continued stress on the global economic system is positioned to absorb the attention of leaders for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, the Earth’s environmental system is simultaneously coming under increasing stress. Future simultaneous shocks to both systems could trigger the “perfect global storm”, with potentially insurmountable consequences. On the economic front, global resilience is being tested by bold monetary and austere fiscal policies. On the environmental front, the Earth’s

‫‏‬Digital Wildfires in a Hyperconnected World ‫‏‬In 1938, thousands of Americans confused a radio adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel The War of the Worlds with an official news broadcast and panicked, in the belief that the United States had been invaded by Martians. Is it possible that the Internet could be the source of a comparable wave of panic, but with severe geopolitical consequences? Social media allows information to spread around the world at breakneck speed in an open system where norms and rules are starting to emerge but have not yet been defined. While the benefits of our hyperconnected communication systems are undisputed, they could potentially enable the viral spread of information that is either intentionally or unintentionally misleading or provocative. Imagine a real-world example of shouting “fire!” in a crowded theatre. In a virtual equivalent, damage can be done by rapid spread of misinformation even when correct information follows quickly. Are there ways for generators and consumers of social media to develop an ethos of responsibility and healthy scepticism to mitigate the risk of digital wildfires?

‫‏‬The Dangers of Hubris on Human Health ‫‏‬Health is a critical system that is constantly being challenged, be it by emerging pandemics or chronic illnesses. Scientific discoveries and emerging technologies allow us to face such challenges, but the medical successes of the past century may also be creating a false sense of security. Arguably, one of the most effective and common

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Reports means to protect human life – the use of antibacterial and antimicrobial compounds (antibiotics) – may no longer be readily available in the near future. Every dose of antibiotics creates selective evolutionary pressures, as some bacteria survive to pass on the genetic mutations that enabled them to do so. Until now, new antibiotics have been developed to replace older, increasingly ineffective ones. However, human innovation may no longer be outpacing bacterial mutation. None of the new drugs currently in the development pipeline may be effective against certain new mutations of killer bacteria that could turn into a pandemic. Are there ways to stimulate the development of new antibiotics as well as align incentives to prevent their overuse, or are we in danger of returning to a pre-antibiotic era in which a scratch could be potentially fatal?

‫ ‏‬pecial Report: National Resilience S to Global Risks ‫‏‬This year’s Special Report examines the difficult issue of how a country should prepare for a global risk that is seemingly beyond its control or influence. One possible approach rests with “systems thinking” and applying the concept of resilience to countries. The report introduces five components of resilience – robustness, redundancy, resourcefulness, response and recovery – that can be applied to five country subsystems: the economic, environmental, governance, infrastructure and social. The result is a diagnostic tool for decision-makers to assess and monitor national resilience to global risks.

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‫‏‬X Factors from Nature ‫‏‬Developed in partnership with the editors of Nature, a leading science journal, the chapter on “X Factors” looks beyond the landscape of 50 global risks to alert decision-makers to five emerging game-changers: • Runaway climate change: Is it possible that we have already passed a point of no return and that Earth’s atmosphere is tipping rapidly into an inhospitable state? • Significant cognitive enhancement: Ethical dilemmas akin to doping in sports could start to extend into daily working life; an arms race in the neural “enhancement” of combat troops could also ensue. • Rogue deployment of geoengineering: Technology is now being developed to manipulate the climate; a state or private individual could use it unilaterally. • Costs of living longer: Medical advances are prolonging life, but long-term palliative care is expensive. Covering the costs associated with old age could be a struggle. • Discovery of alien life: Proof of life elsewhere in the universe could have profound psychological implications for human belief systems. ‫‏‬The Global Risks report is the flagship research publication of the World Economic Forum’s Risk Response Network, which provides an independent platform for stakeholders to explore ways to collaborate on building resilience to global risks.

Reports ‫‏‬The Evolving Risk Landscape ‫‏‬How do the top risks as identified by the annual Global Risks Perception Survey change over time? Figure shows how this list changed over the past seven years. The average ratings of the risks have changed slightly, as described in detail in Section 4 of the report, but the relative ranking of the risks according to their impact or their likelihood is less affected. Interestingly, the diffusion of weapons of mass destructionhas moved into the top five risks in terms of impact*.

‫‏‬Top Five Risks Global Risks in Terms of Impact and Likelihood, 2007-2013 Top 5 Global Risks in terms of Liklihood

Top 5 Global Risks in terms of Impact

‫*‏‬The survey methodology changed significantly after the 2011 report. In contrast to the years 2007 to 2011, the list of 50 risks that was assessed by the survey did not change in 2012 and 2013.

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Articles

T‫ ‏‬he Qatari Diplomatic experience in Conflict Resolution through Negotiations ‫‏‬Ahmed Mahmoud Jumaa*

T‫ ‏‬he Qatari approach is much closer to aptitude in using the soft power ‫‏‬During the last decade, the State of Qatar assumed prominent roles on the level of negotiation and mediation in its immediate neighborhood teeming with problems and challenges. In spite of its tiny size, it managed to make significant difference in the approaching and treating techniques in which it invested its immense resources and acquired expertise. Let alone, it gained appreciation by some parties such as Iran, Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, which others may find embarrassing to deal with. Time comes to speak in a straight course about the approach of Qatar and it being far away from the influence of pressures by reason of its abstract power together with keeping distance from the stickcarrot approach adopted and mastered by greater powers such as the United States. Such approach is much closer to the aptitude of using the means known in diplomacy field as “Soft Power”, a concept developed by Joseph Nye, distinguished thinker and former dean of the Politics and Government School at Harvard University. It involves many steps defined in his book titled “The Soft Power”, based on motivation, inducement, persuasion and advice and with no explicit or hidden intrigues or recourse to the hard power in any of its well known aspects. ‫ *‏‬Former Egyptian Ambassador

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Articles ‫‏‬Al-Jazeera channel is privileged with a margin of freedom, which seems new and unfamiliar to the Arab reality. ‫‏‬From the very beginning, the magnitude of such role has disgruntled bigger countries in the region who see themselves more eligible and worthy of undertaking such role. That was initially so attached with the launching of Al-Jazeera Channel in November of 1996. It was distinguished with a reasonable space of independence and freedom of thought. Such development instantly aroused great shock to the traditional Arab media, airing to the new Arab viewer in the arena of the news and analysis and a variety of highly experienced, in-field correspondents. It has also presented a margin of freedom feeding superb talk shows and programs of opinion directing criticism to some official policies, which was something unique and new. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, was hosted on the earlier of these programs and clarified that a lot of Arab countries have inflicted damages by the channel programs. He stated that he is totally confident of the channel margin of freedom, which seems something unheard of and unusual to the Arab reality, which was familiar to the media that is standing as an echo of the government voice and purely under its command. Thus, the separate thread between the media with its modern craftsmanship and the flagrant advertising show was vanished. ‫‏‬It was obvious from the very beginning that the upgrading and advancing the media organization across the Arab world with no restrictions or dictations was one of its top priorities. That was evidenced when the channel offered media training courses in the technical, technological and practical fields for Arab youths from both genders who wish to advance their capabilities. The channel attracted within its work team a group of the most distinguished Arab youth, men and women, from every inch of the Arab countries. They become very renowned celebrities for their conspicuous brilliance in comparison with the apparent awkwardness of the official and even private media in many of the neighboring countries. That includes Egypt with its alleged leadership and excellence and Lebanon and its channels with dominant expertise and aptitude and being supported with the relative freedom for long period of time. That leads to what is known in the region and over the whole world as “Al-Jazeera phenomena”. ‫‏‬The achievements of this channel made for the State of Qatar, with its tininess in size and population, what would have never been realized by tens of embassies with their media offices combined. Besides, it realized diversely duplicated yields of investing resources, over-exceeding the capital money invested via the channel ownership and management. However, in view of its adherence to the margin of freedom and resistance against the foreign pressures, the channel caused some fragilities aggravated into breakdown with important countries, on the top of which was Egypt in the reign of its former president, Hosni Mubarak. Thus when time was due for the eruption of revolutions in what is called “the Arab Spring”, the channel was the first in anticipating its outburst,

monitoring its initial fuses and embracing its indications and signs which were sunburst for limited periods of few days over the past four years in Egypt then outburst like wild sea over 18 days in January of 2011 to root out above 30 year old regime. It continued in Libya, Tunisia and Yemen for few months up till it realized its desired goals. Upheavals are still in motion in Syria extending over about one year and half.

T‫ ‏‬he Financial Times advised the Western governments to collaborate with Qatar due to its policy able to juggle opposing ideologies that represent the essence of diplomacy ‫‏‬Mass media, on the national and international sector, started to speak on the magnitude of the role by the State of Qatar. Some rendered it a positive blessed contribution in the Arab surrounding while others viewed it as an attempt to make use of the fading role of Egypt in the region. The conservative British newspaper “Telegraph Daily” featured what it is named as “Qatar has turned into a big player in the Great Game of the International Policy”. The British newspaper “Financial Times”, in an editorial, advised the Western governments to collaborate with Qatar due to its policy able to juggle opposing ideologies that represent the essence of diplomacy. The New York Times and its international edition, the International Herald Tribune, focused on Qatar’s “outsize influence” that belies its small size. Robert Fisk, in The Independent (London), went even further by the allegation that Qatar having “British Empirestyle” ambitions in the Arab world, especially after it helped in bringing down Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in Libya and is now the main proponent in pressuring Syria in the Arab League. ‫‏‬We are keen here to pinpoint that the State of Qatar managed, through the investment of effort, experience and human and monetary resources, to rise up to an advanced stance in our Arab region in the field of the political cultivation, cultural modernization, social harmony and the development of the people upheaval. As such it provided the proper ground for making initiative, encouraging the attempts to alleviate regional tensions and settling out problems of which greater powers had been afraid to approach lest they got involved. This phenomenon is not one of a kind on the world-wide scale. The tiny Norway in the north of Europe is still committed to the resolution of many complicated international issues and already succeeded in these efforts. Its achievements include the Oslo Accord between the State of Israel and the Pales tine Liberation Organization (PLO) on September 13, 1993 and a variety of other fields. This fact encouraged Norway to establish the Permanent Center for the Resolution of the International Disputes through holding negotiation in its capital under its government patronage and finance. These efforts were admirable and highly respected by all, considering it as most qualified for such role more than any other powers of higher scale, having no goals or intents for its own benefit and most of its endeavors are far above any desire. ‫‏‬Thus, Doha turned into a center for negotiations recognizable

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Articles in its regional surrounding. This was achieved after the Qatari leadership managed to settle out very old dispute, in which the resolution efforts frequently stumbled, with Bahrain by referring it to the International Court of Justice in Hague and accepting and executing its ruling in 2001 and after its management to fix all potential fragilities in its relationship with Saudi Arabia, by the acknowledgement of its pioneer role in the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (CCASG) and the region.

‫ ‏‬atar managed to invest the yields of Q its giant resources of the natural gas and oil in setting up the infrastructures on the highest global level for fostering the worldwide conference tourism ‫‏‬Qatar managed to invest the yields of its giant resources of the natural gas and oil in setting up the infrastructures on the highest global level for fostering the worldwide conference tourism. It comprised many luxurious hotels, advanced satellite communication networks, premises of the international financial centers and offices of the biggest television networks. That was enhanced by securing stateof-the-art facilities for polarizing the international sports competitions, especially soccer, Olympics games and tennis while offering high winning prizes for stimulating the most globally renowned celebrities and superiors in the field. This activity is pumping high incomes to the developed countries and attracting a class of extremely wealthy people seeking to benefit from what Qatar can provide in terms of the security, warm weather and shining sun all over the year. ‫‏‬Qatar has formed an active team work willing to move fast to the places of conflict giving absolute priority to the neighbors and pertinent to the direct Arab interests, and the formulation of some specialized teams for welcoming the delegations and preparing the paperwork, agenda and the arrangements of the negotiation and its alternatives. Such integrative arrangement has developed into what can truly be considered as “Doha Negotiation Round”. On the other hand, we should note that the Qatari efforts were not crowned by success in some cases due to the toughness and complexity of the predicaments it encountered in addition to the obstacles put in its way by some regional and international powers. The audacity, the honor of trying and perseverance should be counted for the State of Qatar- notwithstanding the frequent failures of the mediation efforts towards the severe conflicts, such as the issue of Darfur, North of Yemen, the Palestinian reconciliation and so forth. The field is of wide scope embracing all positive contribution from more able countries and figures and there are many of them in our Arab world.

‫‏‬The activities of “Doha Round” have focused all over the past years on regional and international issues of high importance

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‫‏‬The activities of “Doha Round” have focused all over the past years on regional and international issues of high importance, inter alia, the host of the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in November, 2001, in which “Development Doha Agenda” was established and is still acting as a lighthouse for the work of the WTO’s member states; the mediation in Eritrea-Djibouti dispute which was about to drive both countries into armed dispute in 2005; the mediation between conflicting parties in Lebanon (Tensions between Hezbollah and Future Movement in May, 2001); the mediation between Yemeni government and the Houthis in the North of Yemen by signing Doha agreement with its five points starting with cease fire as of February 12nd, 2010 and the mediation between Fatah and Hamas movements by concluding Doha Declaration for the Palestinian reconciliation in February, 2012. ‫‏‬Qatar leads the international and Arab efforts for attaining the victory for Syrians in their relentless resistance against the oppression of the ruling regime, such resistance being supported by all Arab peoples. The exercise of tyranny and torment is still on the ground by this regime against the heroic Syrians who are supported by Russia and China in the Security Council and Iran on the regional field. The efforts made by the Arab League, whether individually or jointly with the United Nations through teams of observers, have failed, followed by the intervention of the mediators as Kofi Anan and Al-Khadr Al-Ibrahimi to cease fire or put an end to the bath of blood imposed by the regime on its own people. ‫‏‬Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, presides the Arab ministerial group formed by the Arab Summit and the Arab League Ministerial Council on the level of ministers of foreign affairs for following up the endeavors of mediation and peacfull resolution to end the suffering of the Syrian people. This plight continued for more than two year and half and leaving behind more than 70,000 killed besides tens of thousands of the wounds and hundreds of thousands of homeless inside and outside Syria. Qatar has allocated for this issue all its energies and most of its potentials, hoping to come up to some fulfilling solution very soon.

‫‏‬Qatar’s negotiation experience is a pioneering one in the third world, encountering all problems and predicaments seen as unsolvable by greater powers and unapproachable by most influential countries ‫‏‬Qatar’s negotiation experience is a pioneering one in the third world, encountering all problems and predicaments seen as unsolvable by greater powers and unapproachable by most influential countries. It is worthy of studying and useful lessons should be drawn therefrom in the field of the political sciences and human communication. The circles of Qatari officers may go for casting some academic dimension on such experience by organizing courses for young diplomats and those who want to be more professional in the particulars of the international negotiation science with a view of extending the benefit to a wider range possible in our Arab world.

Articles

‫ *‏‬A Bahraini academic researcher and lecturer of international relations and an expert on Asian affairs

23 Issue 5 - March 2013

Articles Moreover, efforts to defuse tension between two countries on the brink of armed confrontation are another aspect of good offices i.e. in 1998, Mr. Kofi Annan who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, exerted efforts to ease the crisis between Washington and Baghdad on the inspection of the mass destruction weapons. Historically, “good offices” is implicitly referred to in paragraph 1, article 33 of the U.N Charter which stipulates “The parties to any dispute, the continuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security, shall, first of all, seek a solution by negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement…etc.”

................................................................. ‫‏‬The 1907 Hague Conventions provides for “the Contracting P ‫ ‏‬owers agree to have recourse to the good offices or M ‫ ‏‬ediation for settling an existing dispute between two states”

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The 1907 Hague Convention stipulates that “In case of serious disagreement or dispute, before an appeal to arms, the Contracting Powers agree to have recourse, as far as circumstances allow, to the good offices or mediation of one or more friendly Powers.” (Article 2) and such good offices and mediations “can never be regarded by either of the parties in dispute as an unfriendly act.” (Article 3) and “have exclusively the character of advice, and never have binding force.” (Article 6).

‫‏‬Who is in charge of the U.N good offices? As aforementioned, the good offices, in case of the United Nations, are undertaken by the U.N Secretary General as he uses his prestige, weight, diplomatic skills and relations as well as personal experience but he can assign one of his assistant or prestigious international figures to act as his special representative to perform the same functions. The most prominent figure that has provided “good offices” on behalf of the U.N Secretary General is “Brian Urquhart”. He was assigned with reconciling the points of view of the disputants, arranging negotiations; going on “a fact-finding mission” in order to develop a peace project for all parties. Urquhart, a British veteran diplomat who was a member of the British diplomatic staff involved in the setting-up of the U.N Charter in 1945, set the foundations for the U.N Peace-keeping Mission. He subsequently became an aide to Trygve Lie, the first Secretary-General of the United Nations before he leads the good offices’ initiatives during the Suez Crisis of 1956, represented the U.N in Congo crisis in 1960s and Cyprus in 1970s. His contributions also included work on realization of the independence of Namibia from South Africa in 1990, in addition to his endeavors to defuse tension between India and Pakistan about Kashmir.

‫ ‏‬he mechanism of “good offices” is not just T mediation between the disputing parties Since its creation in 1945, and significantly after the outbreak of the cold war between the Western and Eastern blocs, the U.N has witnessed many developments. Most prominently is

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the expansion of international peace keeping mission activities, and the role of the Security Council in issuing bind resolutions aim at maintaining international peace and security. On the margin of these developments, the U.N Secretary General powers and responsibilities significantly increased particularly the use of what is termed his “good offices”. This concept has gone beyond its traditional meaning of mediation between the disputing parties. It included other things that have previously been mentioned i.e. dispatching “fact-finding missions”, help the withdrawal of invading troops, delineation and overseeing the borders and truce lines or other duties within the framework of the independent political role assigned to the U.N SG to prevent and resolve international crises.

Trygve Lie and his battles to enhance his powers and entrench the mechanism of “good offices” The responsibilities and the powers of the UNSG, apart from the administrative duties of the U.N Organization, are often controversial in the light of some countries adoption to different interpretations of the Secretary General authorityrelated articles of the U.N Charter. This was very clear in the first years after the establishment of the U.N Organization when the Norwegian Trygve Lie, the first U.N Secretary General fought fierce battles with the Security Council to assert his own office’s independent power to intervene without a prior approval of the Security Council. For example, in September 1946, when the Security Council was debating the infiltration across Greece’s northern border, Secretary General Trygve Lie challenged the council. He announced that his independent powers and authorities gave him the right to look to the facts on the ground away from the Security Council and according to his discretion in order to determine whether or not to refer the question to the Security Council. In October 1948, he stepped forward with his own detailed proposal and solution to Berlin crisis without consultations with the Security Council; which was rejected by the later.

................................................................ ‫ ‏‬recedents and firm practices particularly P related to the concept and the scope of the “good offices” were established by Dag Hammarskjold, the Second U.N Secretary General

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The mechanism of “good offices” was firmly established and developed in Dag Hammarskjold’s era Trygve Lie Swedish successor, Dag Hammarskjöld succeeded in what Lie failed as he made many personal initiatives to defuse or solve many international crises without prior legal interpretations or formalities: a matter enhanced the powers and role of the Secretary General. In addition, he established new precedents and firm practices in the United Nations, particularly in relation with the concept, function and scope of the “good offices”.

Articles effective and smooth working such a technique is then the regular one which involves all the meetings and debates and so on”, he wrote.

‫‏‬The good offices of U Thant

Having a strong personality, connections and diplomatic intelligence, Hammarskjöld made a much more successful initiative in 1955 to reach an agreement with the communist state of China. It resulted in the release of an American citizen detained in Beijing. He led this initiative on his own without the Security Council’s authorization or resolution. It recurred in the next year, he used his office’s power to initiate private negotiations between the foreign ministers of Egypt, Britain and France to solve the problem cause by Egypt’s nationalization of Suez Canal. In 1958, the Lebanese civil war broke out, the American Marines landed in Lebanon and the Security Council reached a deadlock; all these events clearly asserted the important role of the Secretary General to intervene to solve the crisis when the Security Council failed for any reason. In this crisis, Hammarskjöld acted on his own to augment the U.N Observer Group in Lebanon (UNOGIL) to substitute the American forces. In his address to the Security Council, he said “if you have objection on my initiative, I’m willing to bear all the consequences and results”. Accordingly, he conceded the limitations of his mandate, but on the other hand, he asserted his office’s power to intervene for the interest of peace and security when the Security Council is unable act or stops to play its role until the causes are removed. At the end of 1950s when many regional and international crises occurred, Hammarskjöld expanded the Secretary General’ powers and capacities through his good and intelligent reading of the secretary General responsibility and power-related article of the U.N Charter. Such article vested the U.N Secretary General with the right and power to intervene and use his good offices in case the international peace and security are in jeopardy. In 1959, having no discussion with or prior approval from the Security Council, Hammarskjöld promptly accepted an invitation from the Government of Laos to visit and see the real situations resulted from the nation’s civil war in order to explore what could be done to end the state of war. In the same year, when Thailand and Cambodia proposed taking their dispute to the Security Council, he intervened to urge them to accept, instead, his good offices in the form of mediation of his personal representative. “You can see how much more

When U Thant, who was born in Burma, assumed the post of the U. N Secretary General as a successor of Hammarskjöld who was killed in a plane crash in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) as he was on a mediation mission between the parties of civil war in Congo. The path was totally paved for him to play special role based on the precedents, which became established U.N practices by his predecessor. In 1962, U Thant made a series of initiatives to defuse the Cuban Missile crisis (Bay of Pigs) without authorization from the Security Council, and also without being authorized by the disputants. Moreover, in 1963, he mediated to end the Yemeni civil war through dispatching international peace-keeping mission from Yugoslavia to Yemen in order to prevent infiltration through Saudi-Yemeni borders without having a resolution from the Security Council while he had only the approval of the two disputing parties. Again in 1965, he took the lead to create a new observer group, the United Nations India-Pakistan Observer Mission “UNIPOM” to monitor the truce achieved between India and Pakistan. On his authority, he spent money to get UNIPOM underway, drawing on an account for future peace keeping contingencies.

The good offices and Bahrain Question In 1970, U Thant used his good offices to solve the Question of Bahrain via dispatching a fact-finding mission to enquire about the desires of the Bahraini people and their perception about the legal and political future of their country. Many diplomats and academic figures consider this initiative as the most prominent and significant evidence not only for the secretary general to act on his own using his good offices’ missions to solve international problems without authorization and resolution from the Security Council, but also an indication of the success of such mechanism in finding a quick and permanent solution for any complicated issue.

................................................................ ‫‏‬To solve the Question of Bahrain in 1970, the U.N Secretary General used a “fact-finding mission” as a recognized form of good offices

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Bahrain Question may be a case in point. Having the prior approval, support and full commitment of all the concerned parties to efforts and conclusions brought about, the U.N Secretary General used “a fact-finding mission”; a form of internationally recognized good offices. Thereafter the secretary General brought the report and the recommendations of the said mission to the attention of the Security Council for debate and vote. Such recommendations were unanimously approved and passed by the Security Council as one of the internationally recognized instruments which consequently brought down the curtain on a thorny issue caused troubles to the Arabian Gulf for long time.

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Articles The background, development and resolution of Bahrain Question

Work and results of the good offices of the U.N Secretary General’s envoy to Bahrain

During the nineteenth and most of the twentieth centuries, Tehran often laid claim to Bahrain to the extent that in 1947 the Iranian Ministry of Education gave instructions that all students of different educational grades had to be taught that Bahraini archipelago is part of the Iranian territories and consequently the Bahrainis were considered Iranian nationals. Moreover in 1957, the Iranian cabinet issued a decree stating the annexation of Bahrain as 14th province of Iran. Meanwhile the Iranian press urged the use of more steps i.e. appointing Iranian governor of Bahrain and reserving a seat for Bahrain in Iranian Parliament. In an assertive attempt of claiming to Bahrain, the Iranian Government filed a petition against the fascistic Italian Government for a squadron of Italian fighters bombed the oil refineries in “Sitra”, a Bahraini island in 1940 during the Second World War.

Guicciardi (1912-1995), an Italian distinguished and highly professional diplomat known for his competence and impartiality He arrived to Manama in 30 March 1970, as a head of a “fact-finding mission” of five international staff (not a referendum mission to which Bahraini leadership objected on the ground that it implicitly meant doubts and question about being an Arab state). Bahrain government paved the way for Guicciardi’s mission as it issued a press release published in all local media and newspapers so that the public could know the mission’s reasons, objectives and scope.

This Question of Bahrain continued to perturb both the peoples and governments of the Gulf and raised tensions with Shah Government until 1967 when Britain declared its intention to withdraw from areas east of Suez Canal by 1971. Arab and international concerted efforts were made to convince Tehran to abandon its aspiration for annexing Bahrain in order to prevent any tensions in the Gulf, the most strategic important region for the whole world. These efforts, led by the late King Faisal Bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia and with a support from Bahrain, Gulf States, Britain and most of the Arab Countries, resulted in a mitigated stance of Iran declared by the last Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlevi in a conference held in 1969 in New Delhi on his official visit to India. “On one hand, it is the right time for the British forces to fully and actually withdraw from the region. On the other hand, Iran is committed to a policy based on the adoption of no force to have regional gains. If the residents of Bahrain do not wish to join our country, we will not resort to use force because it is inconsistent with our policy” Iranian Shah said. This unprecedented Declaration of Iran opened the door, for the first time, for the parties in dispute to meet in Geneva to debate on how to find a dispute settlement. It also paved the way for the U.N to play a constructive role later on with consent from all concerned parties. Therefore in March 1970, U Thant, the U.N Secretary General by then, officially declared using the “good offices” stating “The U.N Secretary General declares that he has approved, upon a request from the Government of Iran which is in compliant with the request from the United Kingdom, to use his good offices in the issue related to the situation of Bahrain.” Having consulted with all parties, the U.N Secretary General appointed Vittorio Winspeare Guicciardi, the Under-Secretary General and a person in charge of The U.N office in Geneva as his personal envoy to enquire about the inclinations of the Bahraini people in accordance with the terms of reference assigned to him; a matter was fully accepted by all the concerned parties. Supported by a small team of the Secretariat, Mr. Guicciardi expressed his willingness to start and complete this “good office” mission to Bahrain in due diligence.

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“Guicciardi’s mission was completed in 18 April 1970. The mission freely visited cities, villages and islands of Bahrain and acquainted with their political, commercial, cultural and professional activities. In addition, it paid visits to the clubs, organizations and NGOs and adopted a transparent and honest approach of recording all information”. The press release stated. In 30 April 1970, a highly professional and comprehensive report was submitted to U Thant. “The overwhelming majority of the Bahraini people wanted be recognized within autonomous sovereign state of Bahrain that can freely determines it relations with other countries.” This historic report stated. In 11 May, 1970, the mission’s report was submitted to the U.N Security Council session No. 1536 where it was unanimously adopted and endorsed by the member states. Accordingly, the resolution 278 was issued to be an international instrument decisively stated independence and sovereignty of the Arab State of Bahrain.

Articles

E-Diplomacy.. Smart Power ‫‏‬Faisal Al-Zubair Hadra *

‫‏‬In antiquity, Diplomacy was given a definition by man and developed in its missions and practices across the ages. The so called "E-Diplomacy" has, nowadays, appeared to unveil new techniques and approaches in connection with the practice of diplomacy and international relations via internet and information and communication technology (ICT). The term further refers to probing into the impact of such tools on the contemporary diplomatic practices. E-Diplomacy can be rendered as a e-government related subset including Internet Diplomacy, Cyber Diplomacy and digital Diplomacy, which recognized and acknowledged by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of UK as "A solution for foreign political issues via internet, and a way of practicing the traditional diplomacy through different means and a broad range of presence and direct communication with the civil society as well as governments and influential individuals." The broad steps we follow in any digital diplomacy activity are: Listen: find out which blogs, groups and forums are already discussing the issue, gauge their attitudes; publish: creatively push out our messages in news, blogs, videos, pictures, across our global web presence; Engage: encourage questions, take part where the debate is happening, form partnerships with relevant organizations and online groups; then evaluate: explore how far we achieved what we set out to do, what could we do better next time? What is our target audience? What do colleagues and partners think of? And knowing further about the way the digital diplomacy is put into action (1). ‫‏*‏‬The Arab and international affairs editor of, Al Sharq Newspaper, Qatar.

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Articles ‫‏‬Diplomatic missions will have a new role that transcends the traditional ‫‏‬The diplomatic missions will be of a new role, transcending that conventional one tailored by treaties, laws and international pacts. We are currently living a world of different features and dimensions than that lived by man in the postsecond world war juncture and following lean years of the cold war. We have an access to a new world, saying goodbye to a world where we used to catch up information in turtle-paced means and through diplomatic institutions while dispatching envoys and consuls for encouraging trade and nation-wide communications. That was the first steps of the diplomacy. While today, by digital communication and internet, the separating distance is no longer an issue. We now have accessibility to a space of available information and transparent communication and interaction. The most highlighting feature of the age is the ceaseless communication to the extent that it looks like a digital village, highly cross-linked, coherent and acculturative. Thus, it is “Digital Diplomacy”, if we wish to give it a name (2).

‫‏‬News being communicated to you ‫‏‬Our era witnesses remarkable developments and inventions. Communication information Technology CIT is having an influential impact on our lives, making long distances short, allowing people communication with no barriers. We are living in a world tagged as “global village”, expecting all that may come can be summed up in a poem line, paraphrased as follow: ‫"‏‬As new information being provided to you, days will show how ignorant you were"

‫ ‏‬ith the progress of the digital W facilities and social networks, the Public Diplomacy is exercisable ‫‏‬In the mid of the 19th century, Lord Palmerston, the British Prime minister, upon his receipt of the first telegram, shouted “Oh, Heavens, this is the end of diplomacy”. In 1990, the American diplomat, Zbigniew Bregnzksi, was on the same road. Diplomacy is not likely to be a style of life only, but it is, more importantly, for the resolution of disputes in so connected world. A variety of progressive changes have been tangible in the approach and practice of diplomacy. Perhaps, most of these changes are so much related to Internet. Previously, the Public Diplomacy, appeared in 1965 by Edmund Ghalyoun, the dean of the US law and Diplomacy School, was not new in its usage in the political field. Rather, it is consistent in its goal with E-Diplomacy, regardless of the changing viewpoints towards the other in smooth and open ways in absence of the conventional formalities of the state and its tools of diplomacy and protocols. With the progress of

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the digital facilities and social networks, the Public Diplomacy becomes exercisable. The target circle has been broadened through the controlled flow of information and publications with respect to certain issues and orientation of the same in a systematical and regulated manner so as to appeal to the target category via the wide use of mass media, communications, social networking sites such as Facebook, twitter, youtube, blogger, techorati, bigger, stumble Upon (3). ‫‏‬These networks provide unique opportunity for diplomacy to exchange information and assumptions among citizens in the blink of an eye. We are not exaggerating if we said that none of past technology was able to make diplomacy so close to the people to such extent. “It would be convenient to enthusiastically study, monitor and use the digital mass media, as it being a essential element in the international relations as well. The social networks, for example, allows the manipulation of political, economical and social issues from close scope, which particularly expressed by youth generation”. “Arab Spring was, no doubt, the most existing event relevant to the call for freedom and democracy, publicized through digital mass media in no time”. All citizens can quickly be witnesses and participants in whatever going on around them”. Such tools have generated intensive network for freedom, connecting our homes with the remotest parts of the world, especially, in places where conventional mass media is under restricted control (4).”

20‫‏‬years E-Diplomacy ‫‏‬Since 1992 up to date, the world witnessed three developments with their respective impact on E-Diplomacy, first of which: through Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, when activists of the civil society unprecedentedly used email and mailing list for coordinating their standing as to the pressure and negotiations, second of which: in Malta where the first Unit for IT and Diplomacy was established at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies. This Unit later evolved into the Diplofoundation with an agenda of works over the past twenty years ago including, inter alia, conducting researches and training thousands of diplomats on the effects of computers and internet on diplomacy. Finally, the third development: a French news agency launching a technology “E-Diplomacy Hub”, a pioneering center for monitoring the digital diplomacy, illustrating, measuring the effect of the international diplomacy proceedings together decoding the same o “Twitter” and allowing the accessibility in real time on global level to tweets of the most influential figures on “Twitter”. This interactive application program is available on internet in English and French. The said center compiles database of 5 thousands of twitter accounts, representing more than 120 country and containing accounts of presidents of states, ministers and diplomats in addition to international organizations and experts, groups of influencing pressure, civil societyrelated proceedings, activists and “hackers”. E-Diplomacy recommends a classification of the diplomatic influence of the states and individual on internet. While, the research engine exhibits more than 200 topics or hash tags using the database accounts within the last 24 hours (5).

Articles 20”‫‏‬years E-Diplomacy” initiative focusing on the future developments in the field of E-Diplomacy

20”‫ ‏‬years E-Diplomacy” initiative is focusing on the future developments in the field of E-Diplomacy. It will discuss how to make the tools of E-Diplomacy more comprehensive and effective. It concentrate on publicizing the internet tools in relation to the traditional diplomacy and broader international governance besides the arrangement of courses and round tables and awareness sessions in the main diplomatic center (such as Rome, New York, Geneva, Vienna, Brussels). It also arranged for the organization of E-Diplomacy Conference in 27 and 28 February 2012 held in Geneva through intergovernmental partnerships, international organizations and academic media and the civil society (6).

Digital Diplomacy ‫‏‬The Office of E-Diplomacy acts as an applied technology think tank for the United States Department of State. The Office of E-Diplomacy combines the expertise and experience of Foreign and Civil Service Officers and contract professionals and is divided into three branches, the Diplomatic Innovation Division, the Knowledge Leadership Division and the Customer Liaison Division. ‫‏‬Formed in response to recommendations from the Overseas Presence Advisory Panel that the State Department improve its ability to communicate and share knowledge, E-Diplomacy hosts a variety of platforms that equip State Department employees with innovative tools for collaboration, an initiative that closely aligns with Secretary Clinton’s call for 21st Century Statecraft. Through the support and advocacy of new technology like blogs, wikis, professional networking and virtual student interns, E-Diplomacy promotes an organizational culture for innovation that allows State diplomats to lead the foreign policy process at home and abroad. ‫ ‏‬In 2002, Ambassador James Holmes started the E-Diplomacy Task Force. In 2003, the task force was reorganized into the Office of E-Diplomacy. Currently, E-Diplomacy falls under the Deputy Chief Information Officer for Business, Management, and Planning. US State Department decided to harness technology for serving its foreign policy with a view to enhancing traditional diplomacy and developing technology-based political solutions. This is the digital diplomacy for serving the United States policy.

‫ ‏‬igital networks having played a D robust role in supporting the Arab Spring activists

‫‏‬The journalist, Jesse Lichtenstein in his article titled “Digital Diplomacy” featured in New York Times on 16 July 2010, pointed out the new concept of diplomacy. It is about State Department employees Jared Cohen and Alec Ross (7). Ross is “the first senior advisory for innovation to the secretary of state” who worked over the past two years on integrating these digital platforms into the daily life of American diplomats. For decades the United States diplomacy has remained behind closed doors. While, today, tens of American diplomats around the world is using Facebook and Twitter, which two platforms equip the United States with new tools for practicing “smart power” for serving its interests. The US State Department takes pride that it manages 9 accounts in 9 foreign languages. Hillary Clinton’s agenda is bound to harness communications technology and information and social networking sites to face the great challenges on the international arena: assisting the democratic movements, providing relief to disaster area and mitigating the severity of poverty. ‫‏‬Clinton had unfolded $30 m initiative for supporting the digital activists and defending the internet freedom to be able to exercise their internationally recognized rights including freedom of expression. Probably, the most prominent example of the impact of the digital networks is what took place in the Middle East, having played a robust role in supporting the Arab Spring activists (8). ‫‏‬In the statement of facts dated 4 February 2010 concerning internet freedom in the 21st century: the involvement of new technologies in diplomacy and development. Clinton voiced confidence that “We need to create a world in which access to networks and information brings people closer together, and expands our definition of community.” She outlined five key freedoms of the Internet Age, namely (9): 1. Freedom of expression: blogs, emails, text messages have opened up new forums for exchanging of ideas. 2. Freedom of worship: the internet enhances the individual’s ability to worship as they see fit. 3. Freedom from want: communications via internet provide people with access to knowledge and economic opportunities including potential markets. 4. ‫‏‬Freedom from fear: those impeding the free flow of information pose a threat on individual freedoms, global economic and civil society. 5. Freedom to contact: connectivity with others, close or distant, provides unprecedented opportunities for human cooperation.

X-Life came After electing Barack Obama president, the US State Department started to work on a new project with a goal to support E-Diplomacy and show the United States in a positive light. Thus, X-Life came into existence, designed to bridge cultures and break down barriers. The US State Department has spent around $415.000 on developing the game. X-Life game was created by MetroStar Systems, Inc, available via free download at www.xlifegames.com. This game reflects the aluminous aspects of the American history

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Articles and influential figures in this country through a series of interrelated adventure modules which explore one idea - what unites us, rather than the ideas of destruction and termination of the other. With regard Arab users’feedbacks on the game and the existence of objections or negative responses, Reza Manouchehri, Chief Executive Officer of MetroStar Systems, Inc, said that “We are thrilled that we have not so far received any negative feedbacks pertinent to the game from the part of the Arab users. Nevertheless, we are expecting to come across views disfavoring or criticizing the game. Yet, we will keep supporting it and pursuing other approaches to foster understanding across peoples and cultures (10). ‫ ‏‬he countries around the world get used to working T according to “the official rules” through diplomats and foreign ministers and international organizations, while intelligence systems and secret organizations irrespective to “the rules”. Thus, finding such virtual society would make a sort of chaos in all protocols organizing the international relations. In US, there are a group of the State Department officers who have otherwise opinion, seeking to find what is called “Digital Diplomacy”. No rules have been established for governing such thing but discussion thereon is always in progress. New York Times has even allocated full pages for the Digital Diplomacy or the political relations in the age of Internet. ‫‏‬The American and European endeavors for using modern communications through foreign ministers are growing in another direction, namely, the link connecting peoples, nonprofit organizations and the opposition parties in the “enemy” states through the communication means (11).

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‫‏‬Internet Network is used to collect and share information, negotiate and connect besides other diplomatic missions ‫‏‬Multiple applications ‫‏‬Information and social networks are not the Utopian City. Some governments attempt to use these networks in controlling people or blocking them by direct interference. By doing so, it is like swimming against the tide of history and freedom. Technology is a mere tool that can be employed for noble or vicious goals and by the end of the day it is up to people to determine how to use it. Today, Internet network is used to collecting and sharing information, negotiating and connecting besides other diplomatic missions. Some virtual embassies “Paths of Diplomacy” closely related to and incrementally integrated with the traditional diplomacy via the Short Massages Service SMS and social interworking sites. Internet Network opened communication channels in two directions, providing the tools allowing the individuals and organizations all over the world to influence the global policy. Dr Jovan Kurbalija, the founding director of DiploFoundation, appointed visiting professor at the College of Europe in

Articles Bruges, Belgium and the author of “An Introduction to Internet Governance”, said that European Commission is using the term of e-Participation for describing the re-connection between the common people and decision makers in such way that the decision making process will be easier to understand and follow using IT and communication systems. As such the gap between the society and policy maker can be vanished by permitting more citizens and organizations in the political life to participate; utilizing more ideas and solutions proposed by the citizens and boosting confidence and social coherence in a bid to help governments to adopt decisions of wider horizons to resolve the increasingly sophisticated and interdisciplinary political issues. In an attempt to outline a primary map of the E-Diplomacy field, some five categories of concepts and positions are (12): 1. The role and stance of E-Diplomacy in the age of Internet. 2. Internet tools for serving diplomatic purposes. 3. E-Diplomacy in different levels. 4. Diplomatic mail on different sectors. 5. E-Diplomacy institutional concepts.

‫‏‬In this electronic era, E-Inclusion ensures that no member of the community is left behind in leveraging Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for enhancing their life ‫‏‬In this electronic era, E-Inclusion ensures that no member of the community is left behind in leveraging Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for enhancing their life within the digital society of the modern era. This is achieved by making efforts to promote ICT that enables access to information and services whereby everyone has equal opportunity to seek employment, participate in social activities and improve their quality of life.

‫‏‬The immediate objective of UNPAN is to establish an internet-based network that links regional and national institutions devoted to public administration, thereby facilitating information exchange, experience sharing, and training in the area of public sector policy and management. ‫‏‬The long-term objective of UNPAN is to build the capacity of these regional and national institutions, so that they can access, process and disseminate relevant information by means of upto-date information and communication technologies (ICTs) for the promotion of better public administration (13). ‫‏‬The influence of E-Diplomacy has become tangible, involving more questions than answers. Among these questions: are diplomat obliged to exercise E-Diplomacy across social networking sites or restricted to the traditional diplomacy and its official rules? How does Information and Communication Technology (ICT), including the internet, influence the diplomacy approaches? Will this virtual world result in predicaments in the international relations, the way it happened in Sudan when British diplomat wrote on his blog concerning the allocation of a significant part of the Sudan’s budget for maintaining security rather than spending on the development? Finally, how do we employ E-Diplomacy to achieve our goals?

‫‏‬Footnotes: 1. http://digitaldiplomacy.fco.gov.uk 2. Gamal Mohamed Ibrahim, Sudanese Ambassador, "under the gun shooting, search for your pen: the good guy in Berlin", www.sudanile.com 3. K ‫ ‏‬honish Mohsen El-Hashami "Digital Public Diplomacy: Wikileaks, Facebook…Changing from inside", sawtshouraonline.com/index.phpK 4. News.alnaddy.com 5. French News Agency, Technology "E-Diplomacy Hub" – ediplomacy.afp.com

‫ ‏‬he Division for Public Administration and Development T Management of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations was entrusted by the General Assembly in late 1999 to develop and implement an important programme entitled 'United Nations Public Administration Network (UNPAN)’, (originally referred to as the United Nations Online Network in Public Administration and Finance).

6. www.diplomacy.edu

UNPAN’s mission is to promote the sharing of knowledge, experiences and best practices, throughout the world by means of ICTs, sound public policies, effective public administration and efficient civil services, and through capacity-building and cooperation among Member States, with an emphasis on South-South cooperation and UNPAN’s commitment to integrity and excellence. It is the only network of its type in the world today.

10. www.kazdar.com

7. Zakria Cahanon, "Digital Diplomacy at the service of the US Policy", maghress.com/attajdid/66798 8. Sherif Abd Elrahim “Alec Ross…E-Diplomacy Ambassador ", digital.ahram.org.eg/articles. 9. lipgigitalusembassy,gov

11. Prof. Amar Bakar, "Ambassador in the age of Internet", www.aitnews.com 12. www.diplomacy.edu 13. Omani Digital strategy, Institute of Diplomacy, www. oman.com

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Book Review

‫‏‬The Strategic depth T‫ ‏‬urkey’s position and role in the international arena

‫‏‬Author: Ahmed Daoud Oghlo (Foreign Ministry of Turkey)

By: Awwad Ali*

‫‏‬Translated by: Mohamed Gaber Thalgi and Tarek Abduljaleel. ‫ ‏‬ublished by: Arab Scientific Publishers, Al-Jazeera Center P For Studies, 2010. ‫‏‬At the preface of this Arabic edition, the author highlights the occurrence of the radical changes in Turkey’s foreign policy since the issuance of the book in its Turkish edition in 2001. He indicated how this policy is thus far subject to an ongoing, changing process. “When the Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power in 2002, the Turkish government had endeavored to redefine the basics of the foreign policy and cast new dimensions thereon…and it did find its way to application and effectuation, making landslide and tangible achievements. The most profound of which is the transformation of the relations between Arab countries and Turkey to the extent that they have been established by common collaborative grounds after dissipating glooming milieus of disputes and conflicts..”. ‫‏‬Tackling the dynamic revolution of Turkey in its entirety, the book is divided into three main parts: the conceptual and historical framework; the theoretical framework: the strategy phases and geographical regionrelated policies; and the fields of application: the strategy tools and regional policies, in addition to a conclusion and appendix approaching the outcome of “The Strategic depth: Turkey being a centralized state”.

‫‏‬The first part of the book comprises three chapters discussing: the measures of power and the strategic planning; clarifying the equation of power and the constant and variable factors, the human factor and its enormous impact on the development of strategy and reanalysis of the Turkish power factors, defining the deficiencies of the strategic theory of Turkey and the implications thereof, viewing the historical

‫ *‏‬Media consultant, The Diplomatic Institute

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Book Review losing the challenge with this culture. Such disassociation implicated great sacrifices and losses. However, lacking a stance in alignment with the historical accumulation in the scale of countries as well as the indifference from the part of such culture they are interested in were conducive to activate the strong psychological infrastructure nourishing the continual historical elements all over again. Moreover, the tension generated from the high feeling of self-confidence and the current standing of this country in the scale of countries has awakened incredible psychological impact never experienced by any other society. As such the constant historical and geographical factors had, together with the existing cultural social dynamics, a dynamo effect on the political system. The construction of which, to great extent, in the post-cold war, resurfaced the earlier trends which going back to the end of the last century of Ottoman State and as represented by the Ottoman movement, the Islamic movement, Western movement and Turkish national movement and embodied in speeches and situations which reflect the continuum of the near historical heritage. ‫‏‬The second part encompasses four chapters in which the geopolitical theories were addressed by the author: Turkey in the end of the post-cold war, the contiguous land regions such as Balkans, Middle East, Caucasus, Contiguous sea zones as the Black Sea, Eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf and the contiguous continental regions as Europe, Northern Africa and Southern, Middle and Eastern Asia. Dauod Oghlo focuses along these chapters on the precepts of the strategic depth which constitutes the interior positions of Turkey and its standing within the international system. He goes beyond the descriptive approach with respect to the Turkey’s borders; political, sea and continental borders, e.g., the contiguous land, sea and continental regions, as one independent region or as integral one as a whole. Based on the foregoing, the author concludes that Turkey, geographically speaking, is the center of the main continent embracing the arenas which form the main artery of the history of human from the cultural perspective. Thus, whenever Turkey encounters any phenomena in connection to the international relations in such arena, it cannot be comprehensible through one dimension description, but rather it must refer to a multiple dimensional analysis for the international relations with regard to each region and the ability to understand the reciprocal impact between such regions. I‫‏‬n this context, Daoud Oghlo believes that the way Turkey is handling the essentials of developing its strategies in these regions is characterized with its diversity optimizing the ceiling of benefits and risks, and that the different historical experiences retained in Turkey’s memory have dynamic impacts on its relation with these regions. The changing variables givens, which is formed from the military, economic and technical capabilities, with their respective influence in such dynamic framework may result in leaps or impasses in stages. The main problem today with regard to Turkey is the ability to activate the strategic mentality calling on proper vision as well as balanced and consistent political will, provided that such mentality will effectively be capable of making use of the constant historical and geographical givens, elaborating the cultural factor in a collective manner,

activating the human factor and optimizing the economic, military and technical potentials out of these constant givens to the highest possible level. While the third part of the book comprises five chapters; the first of which is specified to Turkey’s strategic bonds and the tools of its foreign policy. In which part, the author dwells on a set of Turkey-related hubs and the Atlantic hub within the new mission of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Kosovo process and identifying the NATO’s international missions, Organization for Security & Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC): the geopolitical geocultural impact line of Africa and Asia, Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and Asian depth, Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) in addition to the Developing 8 (D-8), Asian-African relations and G-20 major economies. Other chapters of the third part tackled the following issues: Balkan and the strategic transformation, the Middle East as a key to the economic, political and strategic balances, the Central Asia policy in the shadow of Euro-Asian balance of power, the European Union: multi-dimensional and levels analysis of the relationship, particularly with regard to relations with Turkey on the scale of the diplomatic-political relations, economical/social analysis, legal analysis, strategic analysis, the regional, continental, international dimension and finally the cultural/civilization transformation on three levels: the historical background for the European Union as a conventional-new response, the historical background for its aspects of confrontation and integration in relevance with the EU-Turkey relations, and the mutual influence of civilizations and relationships between both parties. In view of the changes and alterations underwent by the Turkey policy after composing the book, Dauod Oghlo addressed in the appendix of this Arabic edition the role of Turkey under the current situation. He named the countries designated as the centralized states with four privileged features: the geographical depth, the historical continuity, the mutual cultural impact, the reciprocal economical correlations, to come into conclusion that Turkey is a centralized state and establish the new pillars of Turkey’s foreign policy based on the following principles: 1. Proper balance between freedom and security 2. Deciphering problems with neighboring countries 3. Having influence on the internal and external regions of the neighboring countries. 4. Multi-dimensional foreign policy 5. Harmonious diplomacy 6. New diplomatic approach outlining new map for Turkey as being designated to act a pivotal role. Daoud Oghlo indicates that for applying these principles in the Middle East, Turkey is invited to observe the four following rules for maintaining the region’s stability: prevailing the security for everyone, rising to a high level of the political dialogue, sustaining the reciprocal economical correlations and adopting multiplicity across cultures, ethics and doctrines.

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Publications

‫‏‬Publications of the Diplomatic Institute:

‫ ‏‬eport on Millennium R Development Goals (MDGs) in Qatar ‫‏‬Within the framework to measure progress that has been achieved by Qatar against the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as adopted by the United Nations in 2000, Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) and the Diplomatic Institute at the Foreign Ministry published the fourth report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in the State of Qatar. This report was issued in collaboration with some ministries and government institutions concerned with the causes and issues pertinent to the various aspects of development in the State of Qatar. ‫‏‬The preface to this report was wrote by H.E Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor bin Jassim Al-Thani; the Chairman of the Statistics Authority, and H.E the Ambassador Dr. Hassan Bin Ibrahim AlMohannadi; the Director of the Diplomatic Institute. In preface, they referred to Qatar’s endeavor to achieve the MDGs that was ratified in 2000 as one of the means to unify the national and international effort; and as a way to preserve the state notable image in adopting the issues of economic and social development on both international and national sector. They added that it is also out of Qatar belief that such goals are the most significant and comprehensive for the development work. In addition, such goals are consistent with the respective goals of the national development strategy 2011-2016. ‫‏‬They further illustrated that the State of Qatar has reached most of MDGs ahead of the deadline identified within 1990 to 2015. This is realized through: • Eradicating poverty and hunger, • The human development index going higher in the State of Qatar than that in many developed countries, • Achieving universal primary education, • Promoting gender equality with respect to education, • Reducing Child and maternal mortality, • Combating HIV/AIDs, Malaria, Tuberculosis contagious diseases,

and other

• Ensuring environmental sustainability and, • Developing a global partnership for development.

‫‏‬Their excellences made it clear that Qatar is taking steady strides on the right track to realize the objective of woman empowerment and raising her economic and political contribution−even it needed time for changing some social customs and traditions. It has achieved remarkable progress to such effect. ‫‏‬The MDGs also reflect humankind’s aspirations for a better life through a selected set of goals defined in clear figures and explicit time references. For the period 1990-2015, countries have agreed to halve the proportion of people who suffer from poverty and hunger, achieve primary education, promote gender equality, reduce by two-thirds the underfive mortality rate, by three-quarters, the maternal mortality ratio, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB and other contagious diseases, ensure environmental sustainability, and develop a global partnership for development. Nevertheless, most of MDGs has been attained by Qatar, this reports is designed to follow up these attainments by analyzing indicators through measuring eight main pillars. Each of these pillars represents one of the targets that is based on accurate statistical data, documenting achievements, highlighting the challenges hindering what has not so far been realized. In addition, it provides suggestions and conclusions for the ways to face such challenges making sure that all MDGs will be achieved ahead of the set deadline. ‫‏‬The report is divided into eight chapters, each of which separately addressing one of MDGs.

‫‏‬Chapter 1: Goal 1 - Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger ‫‏‬It has been reached by the State of Qatar ahead of the 2015 deadline. The three targets under this goal have been met: improving the living standards of the individuals, securing the highest rate of income never overstepped by any country over the whole world, besides providing proper job opportunities for all the members of the society from both genders in such decent conditions, while ensuring proper nutrition and growth for the different categories of the society. This leads Qatar to a distinctive position among countries of high living standards, ranking the 37th position according to the 2011 report of the Human Development Index (HDI) issued by UNDP. Qatar got 0.831 on the HDI report, which uses education, health and GDP as parameters.

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Publications GDP Growth per employed person (2001-2011)

‫‏‬Chapter 2: Goal 2 - Achieve universal primary education for all ‫‏‬It highlights the fact that the State of Qatar has managed to achieve this goal before the determined deadline. Whereas the rate of children who completed the full course of the primary schooling reached 100% together with the eradication of illiteracy among young people (15-24 years old). This is indicative to the quality of education and its efficiency and ability to raise up the new generation, enabling them to attain successes in other fields of life. ‫‏‬Qatar has ranked the tenth position globally in the quality of the education system, according to the latest Global Competitiveness Report 2012-13 issued by the World Economic Forum while ranking the 7th in school administration and the 10th in the availability of Internet and use of Information Technology in schools. Progress of literacy rate (1986-2010)

Chapter 3: Goal 3 - Promote gender equality and empower women ‫ ‏‬secondary education has vanished and the number of Qatari girls enrolled at universities exceeds that of boys. Nevertheless, Qatari women's economic and political contribution is so law on the index of the paid jobs in the non-agricultural sector, not exceeding 13% while on the index of the Qatari Workforce to participation ratio reaching 35% in 2011. ‫‏‬However their political participation has remained low with women comprising just at 3.4 percent of municipal council members in 2011, unchanged from the 2003 level Ratio of girls to boys in primary, secondary and tertiary education (1989-2011)

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Publications ‫‏‬Chapter 4: Goal 4 - Reduce child mortality ‫‏‬Qatar is about to achieve the fourth development goal. Child mortality fell by more than half for children under five years of age in 2010. It is expected to reach six out of 1,000 living babies before the 2015 deadline. The infant mortality dropped even by a pace slower than the under 5 child mortality. For the inoculation against measles, it covers now all children in Qatar. Such improvement with respect to the child mortality reduction is attributable to the first health care services through the country-wide health centers providing thorough and complementary medical and health services of high standard, preventatively or therapeutically. Mortality rate of children under 5 per thousand (2005-2011)

‫‏‏‬Chapter 5: Goal 5 - improve maternal health ‫‏‬The report states that Qatar has attained great achievements in respect of advancing the health care systems. Such target was set by Qatar itself such that all social classes, including mothers, can avail themselves of the medical services. That resulted in realizing substantial accomplishments with respect to the improvement of maternal health as well as the first target under the development goal, that is, the reduction of maternal mortality by three quarters within (1990-2015). It is also anticipated that the reproductive health for mothers will continue to improve, especially the 2011-2016 National Development Strategy includes programs and projects intended to promote the maternal and child care services in a manner that would foster the achievement by Qatar for improving maternal health. Maternal mortality ratio for Qatari women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum (per one hundred thousand live births) (2005-2010)

‫‏‏‬Chapter 6: Goal 6 - Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases ‫‏‬In light of the comprehensive health care and awareness raising programs, the State of Qatar has been able to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and secure access to the medicines by all infected patients. It was also able to prevent the spread of other contagious diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. Thus, Qatar is en route to achieve the 2015 goal which necessitates to keep working on combating contagious diseases, raising people's awareness of their risks, arranging comprehensive awareness campaigns covering all levels, embedding the relative awareness programs into education programs at all stages and promoting the control and prevention systems as well as the ways of combating such contagious diseases in accordance with the National Development Strategy (2011-2016), Qatar's Vision 2030.

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Publications Prevalence of tuberculosis per 10000 )1990-2010)

Protected area (land and sea) to maintain biodiversity

‫‏‬Chapter 7: Goal 7 - Ensure the environmental sustainability ‫‏‬Qatar has managed to realize the target pertinent to the integration of the principles of sustainable development into the development polices. Whereas the environmental development represents a cornerstone of Qatar's National Vision 2030 besides focusing the National Development Strategy 2011-2016 on the environmental protection. Qatar has further expanded in establishing natural reserves for preserving the biodiversity. Whereas the proportion of the protected wilderness and marine areas for conserving of biodiversity to the total area of the Qatar (29.6%) is twice higher than the globally set proportion (10%). This gives indication that Qatar is so committed to preserve the natural genes of plants and all living organisms on its land and to maintain the biological diversity in the waters of seas and shores forming the coastal environment and to protect the carol reefs inhabited by marine organisms, which account for the most important resources for increasing the country's marine wealth. ‫‏‬Qatar was also able to attain the end of reducing the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and improved basic sanitation prior to the 2015 deadline. Whereas those who have an access to safe drinking water and basic sanitarian services are now 100% of the Qatar's population as together with to the provision of proper housings to all its inhabitants. Despite the challenges related to emissions of carbon dioxide from the extractive and manufacturing industries, Qatar has integrated the programs for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions into the Development Strategy with a view of reducing these emissions to acceptable levels.

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Publications

‫‏‏‏‬Chapter 8: Goal 8 - Developing a global partnership for development ‫‏‬The State of Qatar met the basic targets related to developing a global partnership for development. Whereas it establishes an open trading financial system, affirming the global trade openness of the State which crossed 80% during the first decade of the current century together with significant increase in the flows of the foreign direct investments. State of Qatar was also among the leading countries to provide the development assistance to various countries, especially developing ones. Being easier and unconditional, the development assistances provided by Qatar are characterized with a set of features forming a unique model in the international cooperation. The statistical data indicated that the State of Qatar secured more than 2.5 billion US dollars to different countries of the world within 2005-2011 with an annual average of US 364 million US dollars. The number of the countries benefiting from Qatari development assistances and aids are more than 110 countries in the different continents of the world. The proportion of the development assistance offered by the State of Qatar to gross domestic product (GDP) over-exceeds that of the developed countries. ‫‏‬In addition to government aid, assistance is also provided to developing countries by non-governmental organizations, reaching approximately 934.4 million US dollars within 2005-2011. Such organizations include: Qatar Charity Society, Sheikh Eid bin Mohamed Charity Foundation, Qatar Red Crescent, Zakat Fund, Islamic Call Organization, Sheikh Jassim Charity Foundation, Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Al-Thani Humanitarian Foundation (RAF), Silatech Foundation and Alfakhoora Scholarship Masters Programme. Furthermore, the State secured all potentialities in collaboration with the private sectors to spread the benefits of modern technologies in the field of information and communications and ensure the accessibility to medicines at affordable prices for all populations.

Geographical distribution of assistance offered by Qatar (U.S. dollars) (2005-2011)

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From the Political Dictionary

‫‏‬International Law

‫‏‬Constitutional Law ‫‏‬A set of fundamental legal rules defining the form of state (unitary or federal state); the type of government (monarchy or republican, dictatorial or democratic, parliamentary democracy or no parliamentary system...); the regulation of the public authorities of the state (legislative, executive and judicial) in terms of their formation, authorities and interrelations with each other; the basic rights of individuals and the organization of their relationships with the state and its underlying authorities. ‫ ‏‬The term "Constitutional Law" stands as a synonym of the constitution, which is construed as the state's fundamental law, because it regulates all the aforementioned issues. The constitutional dictations are placed at the apex of the state's legal system, prevailing over otherwise rules and measures taken by the public authorities, including the legislative authority per se, which is established and formulated by and in accordance with the constitution itself. Thus; the legislative authority, when practicing its duties in issuing laws, must fully comply with the principles of the constitution. Otherwise, it would surpass its authorities and, thus, produce void laws since it violated the constitution. This legal principle is well known as the constitutionalization of laws.

‫‏‬A collection of rules and customs govern the relations between countries. International Law was gradually developed and enacted through and in consistence with treaties, courts, international conferences and old deeprooted practices. The international court's internal law stipulates the ground on which the international laws are founded which the court resort in reference to issues presented thereto are resolved: a. the International Agreements, whether private or general, setting the rules apparently recognized by the disputing parties; b. the International Customs evidently rendered as a general practice applicable in place of the law, c. the general principles of the law admitted by the civilized nations. ‫‏‬Although no public authority exists to apply the International Law, the Security Council is authorized to enforce the resolutions enacted by the United Nation, which represent almost all states of the world. These resolutions are considered integral part of the International Law. However, each member of the Security Council five permanent states have the right to “veto” any resolution by the Council, whereby such resolution becomes null and not applicable. The Council further lacks the permanent police forces. Thus, the application of the International Law is still, in most cases, subject to the balance of power between the disputing parties.

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‫‏‬International Private Law

‫‏‬International Public Law

‫‏‬In view of the varied subjects incorporated into the International Private Law and, subsequently, their respective different range as well as the diversity of sources from which it derives its regulations, there is no agreement on its definition since the emergence of the concept in the beginning of the 17th century. This has given rise to three legal trends to such effect: ‫‏‬The first trend limits the definition of the Private International Law to the conflict of laws in its narrow sense. Accordingly, it is defined as that branch of law, which relates to the invocation of the law that must be applied with respect to the legal relationships of some private international dimensions. This trend is represented by Italy and Germany. ‫‏‬The second trend extends its definition to encompass the conflicts of jurisdiction in combination with the conflict of laws; in other words, it makes the Private International Law based on the conflict of laws in its broad sense. Accordingly, it is defined as that branch of law, which relates to the invocation of the law that must be applied and the competent court addressing the relationships of some private international dimensions. This trend is represented by the Anglo-Saxon jurisprudence. ‫‏‬While the third trend adopts a broader definition to the Private International Law than the first and second trends, combing issues of nationality, homeland and domicile of foreigners together with the conflict of laws. Accordingly, it is defined as that branch of law, which relates to the identification of the persons' nationality, their domicile and legal status across the borders, together with the invocation of the law that must be applied and the competent court addressing the private international relations to which they constitute parties. This trend is represented by the Latin jurisprudence and adopted by the Arab countries.

‫‏‬International Public Law is commonly defined as a set of rules governing the relations between states, and defining the rights and obligations thereof, or as a set of rules and institutions oriented in favor of the organization of the international community. The second definition is quite precise and consistent with the status quo of the international community. It reveals that the International Public Law mainly applies to the relations between the states rendered as genuine, international legal entity. In addition, it can be extended in its scope as required to include, besides states, the intergovernmental organizations having legal entity independent of their founding and member states. ‫‏‬International Public Law is a newly established law. It was only in the middle of the 17th century when the regulation of its rules was initiated, upon holding an international convention comprising the greatest European countries intended to put an end to the 30-year lasted destructive war between the European countries on one hand, and to outline the political system for Europe continent based on independence and equality between Christian states, whether catholic or protestant, together with stressing the principle of the international balance in a bid to maintain peace in Europe.

40 Issue 5 - March 2013