ABSTRACT
The most important economic development in Qatar was the initiation of the North Field offshore natural gas project, considered one of the largest reservoirs of natural gas in the world. The scheme was viewed as crucial to the diversification of the economy, which at the time was totally dependent on oil. Qatar maintained its neutral policy towards the belligerents in the Gulf War. Qatar's urgent wish to see the war end also emanated from its extreme economic vulnerability to any disruption of traffic along the Gulf route, through which it exported its oil and imported vital commodities. Qatar newspapers continued to criticize US policy toward the Middle East. News of the US arms deal with Iran had the same effect as in other Gulf states, increasing doubts about American sincerity in resolving the Gulf conflict. Qatar, whose military had been largely equipped with French arms, procured Roland surface-to-air missiles and armored personnel carriers, among other items.
