Sheik Hamad (Qatar) on 60 minutes. A very interesting fellow.

I think I like him.
;-)

(I'm trapped in my office on this hot August afternoon chasing a deadline...ok, ok, i'm taking a *break* right now but don't have a tv. Have pity and give some nuggets of this interview

well some of the highlights were that he is instituting 'reforms' in his country, in an effort to make sure he isnt overthrown like the previous emirs of the country.

he is allowing election of a parliment, one that includes a woman.
a written constitution for the country.

however the constitution stipulates that he and his descendents are the leaders of the country. so it is as much a democracy as jordan.
an elected parliment with no real power. the power to rule remains in the hands of the emir.

by doing these reforms (or because he was going to do them) the US moved the HQ of its middle east bases to qatar.
which of course is a oil rich nation.


peace
david
:hippie:

n/t

but it's a start towards some sort of democracy at least.

holiday family get togethers.

.