The White House says it is in agreement with the State Department on how to handle the Saudi-led decision to freeze diplomatic ties with Qatar, despite mixed messaging from President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on the issue.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain cut ties with Qatar in early June, with the Saudis condemning Qatar for “financing, adopting and sheltering extremists.”
At that time, Tillerson called on the coalition to ease the so-called blockade, and criticized its effect on U.S. counter-terrorism efforts. But days earlier, Trump appeared to endorse the embargo—and hours after Tillerson’s statement condemned Qatar as a “funder of terrorism at a very high level.”
A National Security Council spokesperson said the White House and State were in sync Wednesday. And asked whether the State Department was trying to get Saudi Arabia to back off of Qatar, the NSC and State provided an identical response:
“We urge all parties to remain open to negotiation as the best way to resolve the dispute,” both officials told THE WEEKLY STANDARD. “We encourage countries to minimize rhetoric and exercise restraint to allow for productive, diplomatic discussions.”
The measured statement contrasts with the president’s early call to Qatar to end terror financing. It also appears to represent an effort within the administration to get on the same page.
Trump’s call Wednesday with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi seemed to take a diplomatic tilt, too. The president “called on all parties to negotiate constructively to resolve the dispute” and “reiterated the need for all countries to follow through on their commitments … to stop terrorist financing.”
Days after the Gulf States cut ties with Qatar, Tillerson called for “calm and thoughtful dialogue.” He recognized the coalition’s concerns about terror support out of Qatar but simultaneously urged the group to ease its blockade.
“The emir of Qatar has made progress in halting financial support and expelling terrorist elements from his country, but he must do more and he must do it more quickly,” Tillerson said. “We call on Qatar to be responsive to the concerns of its neighbors.”
The secretary days later told lawmakers that there was “no daylight” between himself and Trump.
“There is no gap between the president and myself or the State Department on policy,” he said. “There are differences in terms of how the president chooses to articulate elements of that policy.”
Tensions rose again in late June as the State Department sharply questioned the Saudi-led coalition’s motives for the embargo.
“The more that time goes by, the more doubt is raised about the actions taken by Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” said State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert.
“At this point, we are left with one simple question,” she continued. “Were the actions really about their concerns regarding Qatar’s alleged support for terrorism? Or were they about the long-simmering grievances between and among the GCC countries?”
Nauert, too, said her statement did not contradict the president’s earlier remarks.
“I think the President and the Secretary both want to see this resolved. They want results, and let’s see this resolved quickly,” she said.
