THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR LINE ON TERRORISM

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001060

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DEPT FOR DSS, DS/IP/NEA, DS/ITA, INL, S/CT, NEA/EX AND
NEA/ARP, NSC FOR NICK RASMUSSEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2014
TAGS: ALOW ASEC BA PREL PTER
SUBJECT: THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR LINE ON TERRORISM

REF: MANAMA 802

Classified By: CDA MOLLY WILLIAMSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d)


1. (S/NF) CDA Molly Williamson, PMIL and RSO met for 90
minutes with Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid and
Brigadier General Zayani Saturday July 3, 2004 at 1100 to
discuss cooperation on counter-terrorism and security issues.
COMMENT: King Hamad and his advisors have done the calculus
on the catch and release decision regarding the six al Qaeda
extremists. They have not changed their position on the
issue, nor have they blinked at the travel warning or
departure of dependents by the Navy. The GOB is not
considering rearresting the men unless substantial new
evidence is found. We think that they have the evidence to
present, but there are no signs they intend to do so. END
COMMENT

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THE MOI PITCH
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2. (S/NF) Shaikh Rashid commented on the difficult situation
we face now. The Bahrainis take pride in the U.S. - Bahrain
bond during two wars. He also noted the need for more
intelligence sharing in the future. He's responsible for the
security of Bahrain and its foreign guests. Nothing will
happen if he can help it since the consequence would be too
damaging to Bahrain. There is a lot riding on the joint
relationship now, 50 years of friendship with the with U.S.,
major non-NATO ally status, the Free Trade Agreement and the
Navy presence, he said.


3. (S/NF) The incident involving the arrest and release of
the 6 extremist was characterized as a "small item" and we've
overcome worse before. Shaikh Rashid was firm about there
being no evidence found during six or seven searches (the
police originally reported 26 sites were searched) to keep
the six men in jail. The Attorney General released the men
based on due process, transparency and democracy. The
Minister thought the arrests would be appreciated and
commented that the attack planning phase had been disrupted
or delayed. He stated the case is still being built and asked
PMIL about what information had been found on the seized
computer hard drives. He was uncertain why the government was
being blamed for the quick release of the six extremists and
caused the Travel Warning to be issued.


4. (S/NF) He focused on getting past this event, looking to
the future and working together. The extremists have given
press conferences, been cheered by civic leaders and are
recognized by Parliamentarians as heroes. The six men are
seen as driving a wedge between the U.S. and Bahrain. The
Government of Bahrain wants to put this event behind them,
move toward the future and develop the closest level of
cooperation on security and counter-terrorism issues. The
Minister asked for two MOUs: 1) top secret access to
documents (these documents are shared with a few Bahrain
National Security Agency personnel at this time),and 2)
provide U.S. assistance to develop a Counter-Terrorism
Operations Center to improve intelligence and law enforcement
capabilities.

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THE CHARGE'S TURN
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5. (S/NF) CDA Williamson replied that the arrest of the
extremists is not a "gift" to the U.S. nor is their rapid
release about "democracy." The issue is Bahraini national
security, and what steps the GOB is prepared to take in its
own interest. The previous 50 years of friendship, MNNA, FTA
and ATA are now being looked at differently by the U.S. as a
result of the GOB releasing the known extremists. The Navy
base is sending its dependents back to the US. The Embassy is
being pressured by the Department to justify why its
dependents are not leaving also. It becomes difficult to
encourage trade and advance programs when Embassy staff and
families may depart Bahrain. Several defense contractors and
businesses have ordered their people back to the US or will
relocate their personnel to Dubai.


6. (S/NF) The U.S. applauds the GOB efforts to apprehend the
men, but confidence in the GOB plummeted when they were
released 43 hours later. This sends a message to the U.S.
that al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations can operate
in Bahrain without severe penalties. The only cost to the
extremists is to worry about being arrested every few months
and then spend less than a weekend in jail. There is almost
no penalty for terrorists planning to attack Americans in
Bahrain. The public stature of the six has been elevated
substantially with press interviews, meetings with civic
leaders and support from Parliamentarians. The extremists
are now on the street and have continued planning operations.
We know about these men but there may be other terrorist
cells in Bahrain planning other attacks. The BNSA and MOI do
not have the resources or training to know where they are at
all times. They must be prevented from operating freely and
communicating with their leadership and supporters.


WILLIAMSON