The United States is pursuing various options to find a solution to the Gulf crisis, including the possibility of an interim resolution, said Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, H E Timothy Lenderking, yesterday. Speaking at the telephonic press briefing, H E Lenderking said that US is open to action which would increase the confidence between Gulf states such as to reopen Qatar’s air and land borders currently blocked by neighbouring states or bring selected countries to the negotiating table. “We want Gulf countries to make some compromises and particularly to work together,” he said in reply to a question by The Peninsula.
“We think about the necessity of the Gulf to reunify. So, though it may not be a matter of weeks, we’re still very dedicated to resolving the crisis, were in contact with all of the parties on a pretty vigorous basis,” said H E Lenderking, who is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arabian Gulf Affairs in the Near East Bureau at the US Department of State.
H E Lenderking also emphasised the possibility of an interim solution to the Gulf dispute, ahead of a permanent resolution, which US is trying to achieve at a diplomatic level. “We remain open to really any idea that helps build confidence….. We are open to possibilities, such as where we could increase trade or transport activity particularly across Qatar-Saudi land border,” he said. “We also think that not all parties necessarily need to be at the table once. But we can look at small arrangements which could make a progress, like between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, or between Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the Emirates if all not together on the table,” he added.
H E Lenderking insisted that the unity of the Gulf States is essential for the stability of the Middle East. “…And by the way, I would add that if it is possible for countries to normalise relations with Israel, that ought to be possible for Arab countries to normalise amongst each other,” he said. H E Lenderking also appreciated the Kuwaiti mediation effort to resolve the dispute.
H E Lenderking also highlighted the recent diplomatic developments and visits of senior US officials to the region. He said the Third US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue has paved ways to further deepen the cooperation between both countries.
