Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

MENA Conference Starts in a Strong [Archives:1997/46/Local News]

archive
November 17 1997

Way
By: Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf, from Doha, Qatar.
His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khlifa Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, kicked off the 4th Middle East and North Africa Conference (MENA), yesterday, Sunday November 16th. The 2000-strong participants include some 40 foreign ministers and senior delegates representing 66 countries. ” This conference is an important milestone in the confidence-building measures in the Middle East peace process,” the Emir said. He was indirectly responding to criticism from some Arab governments that decided to stay away from the conference. “The people of the Arabian Peninsula have long been known for their generosity and hospitality. Hosting this gathering is our way of contributing to peace and regional harmony. It is our fulfilment of a commitment made to the world community.” The upbeat mood is not limited to the senior officials. Even the young Qatari men and women mobilized to assist in the process feel they have a mission to complete. “We feel that this is a test for us. We have to succeed,” said a young man from the foreign ministry. Even ordinary Qataris support the government in the effort. According to surveys printed by the local media, the people back their government. The 800 or so companies participating in the conference look forward to concluding important business deals. Already several contracts have been signed between Jordanian, Qatari, Israeli, American, European, and Far Eastern companies yesterday. Many more are expected. Given the positive environment and optimistic mood that prevails in the conference, it is clear that the boycott effort has not been able to frustrate and demoralize the host country or the participants. Yemen Time will report extensively on the conference once it is concluded.

——
[archive-e:46-v:1997-y:1997-d:1997-11-17-p:./1997/iss46/ln.htm]

Created with Raphaël 2.1.2