Professor Fatma Al Sowaidi , Associate Dean for Languages, Media and Translation College of Arts and Sciences, has said that great success achieved by Qatar during the siege represents strengthening of concept of a modern state and the support of Qatari citizens to the state.
“Qatar has also succeeded in deepening loyalty and belonging in a way that all the Qatari society have become involved in this, regardless of the ages of citizens, " said Al Sowaidi. In an interview with The Peninsula about the third anniversary of the Qatar blockade and the lessons learned from it, she emphasized that Qatar has succeeded in providing a major lesson in political diplomacy through the wise leadership of the country; not only at the level of crisis management, but at the level of promoting a country-specific policy that does not ignore ethics for the sake of political purpose.
On whether Qatar has taken economic independence decision from the siege countries, Al Sowaidi said: “This is normal in light of the crisis; from my point of view the political vision will take this matter into the future, even if the relations with these countries return to the level seen before June, 5, 2017. So far, the regional and international guarantees were not sufficiently available to allow real partnerships.” On whether the siege countries have benefited from the siege on the political and economic levels, she said that they had benefited many things, but unfortunately they are all negative. On the political level, they have taken confused political steps that are not sufficiently clear. On the economic level, they have gained weak public budgets, exorbitant loans, and a decline in the economic development.
About who succeeded in persuading the public opinion of its position and justifications? Al Sowaidi pointed out that it is Qatar, as the comparison confirms that the difference between the right holder and the aggressor is large, and the matter has gone beyond the media campaigns to the international courts, which has exposed theirt piracy, and the management of funds to distort Qatar’s. All these things have showed their real face to the world. “Everyone can see what they have published in their media ranging from laws that ban sympathy with Qatar, and laws issued against their citizens if they are found to deal with Qatar that may be treated treason against the state,” she said.
On the demands of the blockading countries for resolving the crisis, Al Sowaidi noted that they are dictations (not conditions) that do not take into account the minimum level of state sovereignty, and its interference with internal affairs. They also alleged that Qatar is supporting terrorism, and the reality is that we find that international institutions, which monitor the practices of the blockading countries, have classified their practices as if they are sponsors of terrorism.
The GCC was the umbrella for the Gulf countries, she said and added however weak performance, it represents a comprehensive umbrella that expresses the Gulf voice. But the worst thing in the crisis, she said is the one related to families which were separated and divided: “The blockade is causing biggest impact on the suffering of the Gulf families, who are banned to meet each other. This is the biggest real crisis that the Gulf community will need a great time to eliminate its effects.
Al Sowaidi said that it is not normal for the crisis to continue, and this is what we read in the Qatari speech; Governmental and non-governmental. The ideal scenario, in my view, should come under the umbrella of the GCC. “The Qatari position on the crisis is clear, and Qatar will not respond to the demands of these countries if they violate its sovereignty, or affect the dignity of Qatari residents.”
