Qatar Lobbyist List: Patton Boggs

In my continuing effort to provide easy access to information about Qatar's US lobbyists, contained below is data culled from Patton Boggs' latest disclosure pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

The sizable legal and lobby shop has a long history with Qatar's Emir - when deposing his father in 1995, the Big Fella turned to Patton Boggs for help in freezing dear old dad's bank accounts - and was the first US firm to be licensed to practice law in Qatar, which they do through their Doha office. During this reporting period, the firm also did work for Saudi Arabia, Angola, Cameroon, Ecuador, China, Sri Lanka, India, Cyprus, Malta, Albania, Nigeria, the Korean International Trade Association and the city of Heidelberg, Germany.

Below you'll learn how much Qatar paid Patton Boggs during the first half of 2010 ($358K), a vague description of what services were rendered in return, and a long, long list of all the US politicians who have taken money from Patton Boggs this year.

PAYMENTS:

WORK DESCRIPTION:

POLITICAL ACTIVITIES ON BEHALF OF QATAR:
POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS:

QLinks

Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim, Ahmadinejad meets with Ahmadinejad and says "It is clear for Qatar that the development of Iran's nuclear technology is no threat to the regional countries."

The Big Fella praised as "Emir of Resistance" in Lebanon.

Espionage case underscores Cairo-Doha tensions.

India's Petronet to buy some Qatari LNG next month.

Qatar seeks to improve its corporate responsibility standards.

Power problems over at the aluminum factory.

A report on Qatar Red Crescent's efforts in Pakistan.

American expat uses Qatar's blazing sun to bake cookies.

The Heir Apparent issues a decree "banning labourers from staying in groups in residential areas of families."

And a former American expat notes the tolerance he encountered in Qatar and his concerns about the damage that may be done by the Cordoba House political tempest.

Qatar Airways rep notes that if you walk the Qatari streets, "you’re safer than in Washington."

QLinks

The Big Fella meets with Abbas.

...and is headed for visits to Uruguay and Paraguay

The Atlantic profiles the host of Al Jazeera's most popular talk show.

Qatar-backed Barclays fined by US for trying to conceal Iranian transactions.

Qatari work day limited to six hours during Ramadan.

India looks to cut Qatar in to its gas-run projects.

The Big Fella's son Khalid looms large in the US drag racing circuit.

Qatar gobbling up Australian farmland.

Doha's Islamic Museum of Art clocks 400,000+ visitors.

Qatar growth may be slowing down, but it's still tops in the Gulf.

Qatar's health council finds the need to monitor private diet clinics "urgent."

$6 B being spent on Qatari road projects in anticipation of population growth.

Qatari affluence exacts a heavy price on young grooms-to-be.

The Interior Ministry isn't joking around about cracking down on beggars who "lie in wait" around mosques.

QLinks

The Big Fella discussed "distinguished fraternal relations" and "scores of issues of common interest" with Bashar al-Assad.

Qatar has more citizens on the government payroll (88%) than any other GCC member.

The lucky ones get to hang out in London.

Incidentally, the roads around Harrods have become a speedway for luxury sports cars since Qatar purchased the store.

The Government of Texas seeks participants for Doha Trade show.

The Gulf Blog reminds us that LNG is more combustible than oil.

Iran moves away from LNG.

36% of Qatari residents use tobacco.

Hubbly-bubbly on the rise.

Foreign Policy looks at how much the US has spent on defending oil supply.

QLinks

Turns out that Japanese tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz by "an Omani suicide bomber in an explosives-laden motorboat" after making stops in Qatar and the UAE's Das Island.

Qatar oil and gas revenues up a "staggering 63 percent"

Doha "Fast-a-thon" will donate QR200 to Pakistani flood victims for every non-Muslim who fasts on the first day of Ramadan.

A Qatar charity is hosting iftar programs in 33 countries "to maintain a link with Muslims around the world."

Those Candy Brothers make the Big Fella "go mental."

It's Doha Bank's third year in China.

Qatar helping people get used to the idea of air-conditioned soccer fields.

Qatari government planning "surprise raids" to ensure Ramadan meats are fresh.

Qatar Diar has a "stronger negotiating position" in still-unsettled Cyprus deal.

QLinks

The Big Fella in Algiers.

Qatar Airways connecting to the Windy City.

Qatar Red Crescent sends aid to Pakistan.

Qatar doesn't plan on banning Blackberry, but will consider it if telecom providers or national security departments suggest it.

Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor does not like the idea of the US bombing one of Qatar's neighbors.

Arabic children's books selling like hotcakes at Harrods.

JEM not interested in the Darfur peace talks starting on Monday in Doha.

QLinks

The Big Fella walks on flower petals while greeted by thousands in south Lebanon.

Iranian press reports that he praised Hezbollah while he was there.

And he may yet meet with Nasrallah.

A Candy Brother "apologised unreservedly" to Qatari leadership for suing them over Chelsea Barracks.

Yemen looks forward to more Qatari assistance with the Houthi rebels.

Over 400,000 Facebook users in Qatar.

Qatar LNG processing capacity continues to grow.

Qatari banks report $824 M (3B QR) profits in second quarter despite "doubtful loans."

Qatari hotel occupancy in the first half of 2010 slightly higher than first half of 2009, and there will be 42 new hotels opened in Qatar by the end of this year.

Asian soccer chief on board with Qatar's World Cup bid.

Qatar Airways has an appetite for more airplanes.

Qatari Koran reciters fare well.

Rihanna concert in Doha this month.

QLinks

About $2.4 M worth of baby blue Al-Thani sports cars get booted outside Harrods.

Explosion on oil tanker in the Gulf may have US Central Command in Doha on high alert.

Phone numbers in Qatar lengthened to accommodate growth.

Qatar has invested $40 M in Australian agriculture this year.

The Big Fella kicks off a Lebanese tour.