US Congressmen call secret Qatar deal into question

The Washington Post reported that members of the Congress, in both parties, are calling agreement a US-Qatar Memorandum of Understanding that was signed six months ago, into question.

The newspaper added that they are asking to release the deal that was completed in Doha on July 10 amid US FM Rex Tillerson to mediate over Qatar-terrorism ties crisis, and the State Department has never revealed its content.

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The newspaper added that “the lack of transparency is fueling lawmakers’ demands the Trump administration get tougher with Qatar about combating terrorism financing, placing both Tillerson and (Nikky) Haley in the uncomfortable position of defending Qatari progress — with no details to share.”

“The American people have a right to know what steps Qatar’s government is taking to deter Islamic terrorism,” a group of lawmakers led by Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) wrote in a letter to Tillerson on Dec. 14.

“The decision to classify the document while publicly praising Qatar’s progress toward upholding its contents makes it impossible for the public to judge Qatar’s compliance.”

Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer also told The Washington Post that the issue of how to hold Qatar accountable for activities within its borders was not adequately addressed in the agreement.

source: Alarabiya