Washington [US], May 15: Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani affirmed that the offer to donate a Boeing 747-8 to serve as a private jet for US President Donald Trump was an 'intergovernmental transaction'.
AFP news agency on May 15 quoted Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani as saying that the proposal to give a luxury plane to the US was not a personal gift to President Donald Trump, but an "intergovernmental transaction".
Mr Trump arrived in Qatar on May 14 as part of his Middle East tour. The leader faced criticism in the US after media reports said he was considering using a Boeing 747-8 donated by the Qatari government as his Air Force One. The plane is so lavishly decorated that it has been dubbed a "flying palace".
In an interview with CNN, Prime Minister Mohammed said he did not understand why it had become such a big news story, and dismissed related concerns.
"This is a government-to-government transaction. It has nothing to do with individuals, whether on the US side or the Qatari side, it's between defense departments," he said, echoing the White House's response to the matter.
He also denied allegations that Qatar wanted to use the gift as a way to influence Mr Trump, saying it was trying to help resolve its US ally's troubles.
"Qatar has always been a reliable partner of the United States, always striving to help and support the United States, because we believe that this friendship needs to benefit both countries, it cannot be a one-way relationship," said Mr. Mohammed.
The Qatari prime minister added that the offer was "still under legal review".
Mr. Trump has repeatedly complained about delays and rising costs in Boeing's contract to supply two new Air Force One jets to replace two older planes currently in use.
When questioned by reporters on May 12, he angrily defended the deal with Qatar and said it would be "foolish" for him not to accept such a gift.
However, the plan raises major ethical questions, as the US Constitution prohibits government officials from accepting gifts "from any king, prince or state."
The plan also raises deep security concerns about using a foreign-donated aircraft to serve as Air Force One. The jet is designed to serve as a mobile command center for the president in the event of an attack on the United States.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
