US ambassador crisis in Qatar

US Ambassador to Doha LeBaron was stopped by Turkish Ambassador Tanlay when he attempted to cut an Erdoğan-Clinton meeting short. Both ambassadors were at each others’ throats when officials had to separate them.

Rising tension, which escalated when the US Ambassador to Doha Joseph LeBaron overstepped the line by making certain statements, made its mark on Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan's trip to Qatar. When a meeting scheduled for 20 minutes between Prime Minister Erdoğan and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton went on for an hour, the Ambassador to Doha Joseph LeBaron wanted to disrupt the meeting to alert Clinton. LeBaron was then warned by Turkish officials, however when he continued to insist, he was intercepted by Erdoğan's foreign policy advisor Ambassador Fuat Tanlay. Tanlay warned LeBaron, stating; “The meeting is ongoing, you can not go inside.” 

"THE SHEIKH IS MORE IMPORTANT"

When US Ambassador LeBaron stated; “This meeting has to end. The meeting with the Qatar Sheikh is more important,” Ambassador Tanlay lost his patience. Tanlay reacted harshly by stating, “You are not the one to decide how important we are. You can not insult my country. That is not your place.” Both diplomats then proceeded to grab each other by the neck and had to be separated by officials. Supposedly, after they were separated, the US ambassador proceeded to kick the doors in anger. 

Meanwhile, during the Erdoğan-Clinton meeting, the Armenian issue was discussed. Erdoğan told Clinton that the decision made by the Armenian Constitutional Court regarding the protocol was an uphill battle. Emphasizing that Turkey has done what was needed, Erdoğan stated; “We see the Armenian issue as a part of the comprehensive normalization process in the Caucasus.” Erdoğan also delivered the message to Clinton to, “increase the Minsk Group efforts.” Hillary Clinton told Erdoğan that “no matter what, it is beneficial to continue the process embarked upon with Armenia.” Prime Minister Erdoğan also sent his best wishes for the former US President Bill Clinton’s recovery. 

VISA REGULATIONS TO BE LIFTED WITH QATAR

During the Turkey-Qatar Business Forum held in the Four Seasons Hotel, Prime Minister Erdoğan delivered the message that visa regulations may be lifted with Qatar. Reminding that over the past few months, visa regulations have been lifted with Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Albania, Tajikistan and Jordan, Erdoğan stated; “Hopefully, we will be lifting official visa regulations with Qatar. We want to open the doors to Qatar, which is as close to us as Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. Turkey’s doors will be opened all the way for investors, tourists and businessmen from Qatar.”