Qatar Test For Tillerson's Gulf Strategy

US Secretary of State Middle East experience put to test.

“The US should think twice before taking sides on this”

- Nick Wadhams And Margaret Talev

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has insisted that Saudi Arabia spell out exactly what Qatar must do to end the diplomatic and economic isolation its neighbours imposed. Now the Saudis have answered, and the results probably aren’t what the top US diplomat had in mind.

The 13 Saudi demands include shutting the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera TV network, cutting back diplomatic ties with Iran, severing relations with the Muslim Brotherhood and ending Turkey’s military presence in Qatar, according to a Gulf official who confirmed the document.

Qatar is still gauging its response, but the list appears to be far from the “reasonable and actionable” proposals that Tillerson had called for on 21 June.

The Trump White House views the roster of demands as at least a starting point for further talks, according to an administration official.

The US will facilitate further talks, Tillerson has participated in dozens of phone calls and meetings, but wants the countries involved to solve the crisis without direct American mediation, according to the official, who asked not to be identified discussing diplomatic initiatives.

“We believe it is a family issue” among the Mideast neighbours, White House press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters.

“This is something they want to, and  should, work out for themselves.”

The demands were offered as a basis of talks and not an ultimatum, according to the official, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.

But Sheikh Saif Al Thani, director of Qatar’s government communications office, said the Saudi requirements don’t meet the criteria set out by the US and UK governments for reasonable and realistic measures.