U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson seems to be siding with Qatar in some of the demands made by the Gulf States in exchange for the removal of blockades. After Kuwait, which is mediating in the current crisis, handed Qatar last week a 13-point demands list from the Gulf States like Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt, which severed diplomatic and military ties with Qatar earlier this month. The details of the demands are,

• Iran: Lower representation with Iran, close attaches, IRGC and elements affiliated should leave Qatar. Limit cooperation to trade without violating either US and US sanctions or GCC security. Cut military and Intel cooperation with Iran.
• Turkey: Shot down Turkey base that was recently established, stop cooperation with Turkey military inside Qatar territory.
• Terrorism: Qatar declares that it cuts relations all terrorist, sectarian, and ideological groups, on top of them Muslim Brotherhood, ISIS, Qaeda, Fateh Sham (Nusra), Hezbollah.
• Funding: Stop all Qatar funding of any kind to terrorist or extremist individuals, entities or organizations.
• Designations: Qatar hands all those terrorist designated and those requested by four countries (who wrote demands) and terrorist elements on US and International lists, freeze their assets, and don’t harbor more elements in future, offer Intel on members especially related to movement, finances.
• Al-Jazeera: Shut down Al-Jazeera channel and offshoots.
• Interference: Stop interfering other countries’ domestic affairs. Don’t grant citizenship to anyone from 4 countries (who wrote demands), strip citizenship from those that have been granted who violates law of these countries. Cut relations with opposition elements in these countries and hand over relevant files.
• Compensation: Give compensations to victims and losses on 4 countries because of Qatar policy in last few years. Agreement would decide mechanism.
• Riyadh agreement: Qatar commits to be harmonious with its Gulf and Arab surroundings on all levels (militarily, politically, economically, socially), in a way that respects Gulf and Arab security and active Riyadh agreement from 2013 and the second Riyadh agreement in 2014.
• Opposition: Qatar hands over records/data on opposition they supported and kind of support they received.
• Media: Shut down all media supported by Qatar directly or indirectly (for example Arab 21, Rasd, Araby Jadid/new Arab, Sharq, Middle East eye, etc….these are examples not exclusive)
• Time Frame: All these demands have to be agreed in 10 days or will be voided.
• Reports: Agreement will have clear goals and mechanism and will be followed up with periodic reports, monthly for first year, every 3 months for second year and once every year for next 10 years.

In a statement issued on Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson said, “Qatar has begun its careful review and consideration of a series of requests presented by Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and UAE. While some of the elements will be very difficult for Qatar to meet, there are significant areas which provide a basis for ongoing dialogue leading to resolution. A productive next step would be for each of the countries to sit together and continue this conversation. We believe our allies and partners are stronger when they are working together towards one goal which we all agree is stopping terrorism and countering extremism. Each country involved has something to contribute to that effort. A lowering of rhetoric would also help ease the tension. The United States will continue to stay in close contact with all parties and will continue to support the mediation efforts of the Emir of Kuwait.”

Turkey and Iran have sided with Qatar and have sent food and other aides since the blockade. While it is not clear what might happen when the compliance period of 10 days end, a military conflict is unlikely. These demands are more of a hardball starting position in an upcoming negotiation.

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