VZCZCXRO5975
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHDO #0547 2441149
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 011149Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY DOHA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9362
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L DOHA 000547 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2019 
TAGS: PREL KPAL KWBG QA
SUBJECT: QATAR'S 10 MILLION USD DONATION TO GAZAN WORKERS 
TO GO THROUGH UN AND QATARI CHARITIES 
 
REF: A. DOHA 526 
     ¶B. DOHA 86 
 
Classified By: CDA Mirembe L. Nantongo for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
-------------- 
(U) KEY POINTS 
-------------- 
 
-- Qatar Charity's Vice Chairman Abdullah Hussain Al-Nameh 
reported September 1 that his organization and Qatar's Red 
Crescent Society have been selected to administer Amir Hamad 
Bin Khalifa Al Thani's 10 million USD donation to Gazan 
workers and fishermen, which the latter announced at the 
start of Ramadan. 
 
-- Al-Nameh revealed that the two humanitarian organizations 
were chosen for their excellent relations with the UN and 
International Red Cross, suggesting these international 
bodies will play a role in delivering the aid to Gaza. 
 
------------ 
(C) COMMENTS 
------------ 
 
-- (C) The Amir's decision to distribute the aid through 
humanitarian groups contradicts earlier press reports that 
the money would be paid to Hamas (see ref A), but tracks with 
what Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hamad Bin 
Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani told NEA A/S Feltman in an August 
26 phone call. 
 
-- (C) Qatar Charity was selected in April to coordinate 
Qatar's 40 million USD gift to Gaza with the UN.  Although 
Qatar Charity has a field office in Gaza, it will require the 
assistance of the UN's humanitarian infrastructure to 
successfully disburse the aid. 
 
-- (C) This approach is also consistent with Minister of 
State for International Cooperation and Conferences Khalid 
Al-Attiyah's statement to Ambassador February 3 that Qatar is 
interested in partnering with the UN in Gaza (see ref B). 
 
End Key Points and Comments. 
 
¶1. (U) In a September 1 press statement, the Vice Chairman of 
Qatar Charity, Abdullah Hussain Al-Nameh, revealed that 
his organization and Qatar's Red Crescent Society were 
selected by Amir Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani to administer the 
10 million USD donation to Gazan fishermen and workers 
announced by the Amir at start of Ramadan, according to a 
local press report.  Calling the mission a "noble 
humanitarian contribution," Al-Nameh explained that the 
humanitarian agencies were chosen because of their 
"distinguished relationship" with the UN and International 
Red Cross, implying that these international organizations 
will play a role in disbursing the aid in Gaza. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Post has requested a meeting for Poloff with Qatar 
Charity and will report any details on the arrangements 
septel. 
Nantongo