Qatar, Miffed by U.S. Criticism, Opens Soviet Relations
The Persian Gulf state of Qatar, apparently offended by U.S. criticism of its secret acquisition of Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, said it established diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union today.
A Qatar Embassy spokesman in Paris said relations were established by Qatar’s ambassador to France, Abdul Rahman Hammad Alatiya, and Soviet Charge d’Affaires Oleg Krivonogov in a signing ceremony at the Soviet Embassy.
The signing was announced simultaneously by the Qatari News Agency and the official Soviet press agency Tass.
The spokesman gave no reason for the decision. But diplomatic sources said Qatar was offended by the United States threatening to cut off aid to the Arab nation because it had secretly obtained 13 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.
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