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sdohasntsc  05/17/2007 07:46:53 AM  From  DB/Inbox:  APR07 Archive

Cable 
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UNCLAS        DOHA 00353

SIPDIS
CXDOHA:
    ACTION: P/E
    INFO:   PAO RAO DCM FCS AMB

DISSEMINATION: P/E /2
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: A/DCM:MNANTONGO
DRAFTED: P/E:MHUSSEIN
CLEARED: P/E:GSTRANDEMO/RPYOTT

VZCZCDOI401
RR RUEHC RUEHC RUEHZM
DE RUEHDO #0353 0940818
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 040818Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY DOHA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6452
INFO RUEHC/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHINGTON DC
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS DOHA 000353 
 
SIPDIS 
 
INTERIOR FOR NPS/INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION/D KREWSON 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV PGOV QA
SUBJECT: QATAR ESTABLISHES LARGEST NATIONAL PARK IN THE COUNTRY 
 
 
¶1. Summary. On January 22, 2007, the Government of Qatar (GOQ) 
passed a law establishing the largest national park in the country. 
Post and the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) have supported the 
project since its inception in 2000. The GOQ is now requesting 
further assistance from the U.S. to develop a management plan for 
its new national park. END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. On January 22, 2007, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Heir 
Apparent, issued a decree designating the territory of Khor Al-Udaid 
as a natural reserve. Khor Al-Udaid is now the largest national park 
in Qatar. The decree bans any activity or measures that might harm, 
degenerate or alter the beauty of the natural environment, wild 
life, vegetation, and marine life of the natural reserve zone. 
 
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Background 
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¶3. In 2000, Post facilitated initial contact between the GOQ and the 
NPS. NPS sent a team to Qatar to assist its environmental and 
national park officers in selecting an appropriate site. The team 
then selected Khor Al-Udaid, a large tidal bay stretching nearly 25 
kilometers into the interior, as the site to develop a national 
park. 
 
¶4. In 2002, the GOQ again invited an NPS team to conduct a 
site-specific feasibility study of the Khor Al-Udaid region to 
develop the resource information and management framework to 
establish the park. In 2005, upon request by the NPS, Post sponsored 
the visit of two GOQ officials to the U.S. to participate in a study 
tour of U.S. national parks. This study tour provided Qatari 
officials with an overview of park management and the work that goes 
into the creation of a new protected area. 
 
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Request for Assistance 
---------------------- 
 
¶5. In September 2006, Ghanim Mohammed, Director of Wildlife and 
Conservation, and Sultan Al-Jamali, Director of Human Resources 
Sultan Al-Jamali, both senior staff members of Qatar Supreme Council 
for Environment and Natural Reserves (SCENR), visited the U.S. Both 
Ghanim and Sultan told Econoffs that the information and knowledge 
gained from the trip assisted them greatly with in their efforts to 
establish Khor Al-Udaid. Ghanim told Emboffs that they would soon 
request embassy assistance in bringing two NPS wildlife experts to 
assist the GOQ in developing a management plan for Khor Al-Udaid. 
 
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Comment: 
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¶6. The GOQ is showing a strong and growing interest in environmental 
issues. In 2000, Qatar established the SCENR, a semi-independent 
body to handle environmental matters. The SCENR is making great 
efforts to develop its capabilities to protect and preserve the 
environment and train Qatari environmentalists. The SCENR is also 
working closely with other GOQ agencies to set environmental 
standards. Post believes that continued U.S. assistance with Khor 
Al-Udaid National Park will further the project and continue the 
close relationship between the two countries on environmental 
matters. 
UNTERMEYER