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A French journalist, observing the first municipal council elections in the Arab Gulf State of Qatar a few years ago remarked penetratingly: "This is not democracy: democracy is not granted by a Ruler, it is taken by the People."

That was, of course, a very French idea, and a very revolutionary one. But it is also true. And Qatar provides an interesting model of what is possible throughout much of the Gulf Arab world

The municipal council that was elected had very few powers and was subject to the veto of the responsible Cabinet minister, who was himself appointed by the Emir. Despite that - indeed, perhaps because of it - the election was a model of free, fair electioneering and voting in which women were allowed to participate not just as electors but also as candidates.

The creation of Qatar's first popularly elected institution created a frisson of excitement among the indigenous population who numbered no more than 200,000 that was echoed within the diplomatic community. Here was the Western dream coming to life in the desert sands, diplomats pretended to believe.

For the Qatari ruling family the event was a triumph. It enhanced Qatar's reputation as being among the most liberal of Arab states and demonstrated the Emirate's willingness to fall into step with the Bush administration's desire to impose democratic institutions on the Muslim world. The only fly in the ointment (a very small one, at that) was that Qatar's women chose not to elect any of the candidates of their own gender, casting their ballots instead for males. But in reality this election was primarily about show, not substance, and conceded practically no power to the people.

Even the most openly pro-American Arab government, a government which recently broke ranks with the whole Arab League to vote for America's preferred choice as UN Secretary General, and the only Arab Gulf State to host an Israeli diplomatic presence even this government was not willing to make the real and urgent moves towards democratization that the Bush Administration was urging on Arab states prior to the Palestinian elections.

The reason for Qatar's stand appears to be not just a natural desire among the ruling family to avoid giving up power and the wealth that goes with power in a tiny oil-rich nation. There are indications that the authorities believe that their country genuinely is not ready for democracy and the municipal elections give a good idea of why that should be so.

In the overwhelming majority of electoral

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