Emirates will start pumping gas from Qatar despite Saudi objections

Source: International Herald Tribune

I was struck by the mention of Qater in this major article:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1182951029596&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Dahlan: Iran, Qatar backed Hamas 'coup'

Former Fatah security chief Muhammed Dahlan said Wednesday that he was not surprised by Hamas's "coup" in the Gaza Strip and that he had warned various parties about the Islamic movement's plans.

He also accused Iran and Qatar of providing Hamas with hundreds of millions of dollars.

Dahlan, who is a Fatah member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, has been accused by Hamas of conspiring with the US and Israel to remove the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority unity government from power. He is also under attack from some Fatah leaders and activists who hold him responsible for the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip.

His remarks came amid growing pressure on PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to negotiate with Hamas on a solution to the current crisis.




Read more: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1182951029596&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

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(A search brought up the following, however I must admit it would be pure conjecture to claim the two are related...)


Emirates will start pumping gas from Qatar despite Saudi objections

The Associated PressPublished: June 27, 2007

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: The Emirati firm Dolphin Energy Ltd. plans to borrow US$3 billion (euro2,2 billion) to refinance the Middle East's largest cross-border gas pipeline project, a company official said Wednesday.

The Emirates government, which owns half of Dolphin Energy, expects to begin pumping gas it produces with partners Total S.A. and Occidental Petroleum Corporation off Qatar's shore in July.

Demand for gas is rising in the Emirates and in other Gulf countries due to increased power generation and desalination requirements. Increased usage in industries such as petrochemicals are leaving the natural resource in scarce supply.

"We're looking to finance closer to reaching full capacity," Chief Executive Ahmed al-Sayegh told Dow Jones Newswires. "Once the plant is operational, it's cheaper to put in a very long financing plan," al-Sayegh said.

http://www.west-point.org/wp/wp-forum/McGurk/R_R_Qatar.html

A lot of interesting convergence of interests in that tiny little emirate, eh??? What a pragmatic bunch....