US AMBASSADOR CRISIS IN QATAR
AZG DAILY
16-02-2010
International
US Ambassador to Doha LeBaron was stopped by Turkish Ambassador
Tanlay when he attempted to cut an Erdogan-Clinton meeting short. Both
ambassadors were at each others’ throats when officials had to separate
them, Turkish Sabah reports.
According to the source, when a meeting scheduled for 20 minutes
between Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan 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 Erdogan’s foreign policy advisor Ambassador
Fuat Tanlay. Tanlay warned LeBaron, stating; "The meeting is ongoing,
you can not go inside."
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 Erdogan-Clinton meeting, the Armenian issue was
discussed. "We see the Armenian issue as a part of the comprehensive
normalization process in the Caucasus." Erdogan said. He also delivered
the message to Clinton to, "increase the Minsk Group efforts." Hillary
Clinton told Erdogan that "no matter what, it is beneficial to continue
the process embarked upon with Armenia."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
