Doha, Qatar
Signs of the growing prosperity and resulting popularity of Qatar as a business destination immediately registered upon arrival here tonight, both at the Doha International Airport and the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams and the other stars of the women's tennis circuit were arriving at the same time in advance of this week's lucrative Total Qatar Open competition. Waiting for baggage, one was greeted by an enormous poster promoting Placido Domingo's arrival here in two weeks to open the astonishing development called The Pearl. Arriving at the hotel amidst tight security, we learned that the Ritz was hosting the 3rd annual U.S.-Islamic Conference that opened today. Madeleine Albright, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Ambassador Martin Indyk, Newsweek's Joe Klein and Palestinian negotiator Saib Erakat are all staying here to participate in the talkfest. Ah, the magnetism of money.
Signs of the growing prosperity and resulting popularity of Qatar as a business destination immediately registered upon arrival here tonight, both at the Doha International Airport and the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams and the other stars of the women's tennis circuit were arriving at the same time in advance of this week's lucrative Total Qatar Open competition. Waiting for baggage, one was greeted by an enormous poster promoting Placido Domingo's arrival here in two weeks to open the astonishing development called The Pearl. Arriving at the hotel amidst tight security, we learned that the Ritz was hosting the 3rd annual U.S.-Islamic Conference that opened today. Madeleine Albright, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Ambassador Martin Indyk, Newsweek's Joe Klein and Palestinian negotiator Saib Erakat are all staying here to participate in the talkfest. Ah, the magnetism of money.