Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04MANAMA1187
2004-07-27 12:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

MFA MAKES ASSURANCES OF NATIONAL SECURITY

Tags:  PREL PGOV PTER BA KSEC 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001187 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/NEA AND NEA/ARP
LONDON FOR ETHAN GOLDRICH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/26/2029
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER BA KSEC
SUBJECT: MFA MAKES ASSURANCES OF NATIONAL SECURITY


Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Susan L. Ziadeh for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001187

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/NEA AND NEA/ARP
LONDON FOR ETHAN GOLDRICH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/26/2029
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER BA KSEC
SUBJECT: MFA MAKES ASSURANCES OF NATIONAL SECURITY


Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Susan L. Ziadeh for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY. MFA officials gave assurances to Charge
that the security and stability of Bahrain is the GOB's top
priority. As a signal that the GOB is serious about regional
security concerns, MFA announced that Bahrain will host the
next International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)
National Gulf Security Conference scheduled for December.
The conference will focus on regional defense cooperation
with GCC partners, Russia, France, the United Kingdom and the
United States. IISS has extended an invitation to US
National Security Advisor Condolezza Rice. Charge
underscored that there continue to be security challenges in
the region and offered any assistance to aid the GOB in its
efforts to meet these challenges. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) With the Minister of State and Minister of Foreign
Affairs out of the country, on July 26, Charge Ziadeh called
on the most senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Undersecretary Yousif Al Mahmoud, Assistant
Undersecretary for Coordination and Follow-up Shaikh Abdul
Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa and Director of Bilateral
Relations, Dr. Dhafer Al Umran. U/S Al Mahmoud welcomed the
opportunity to meet Charge Ziadeh and emphasized that the
long-standing relationship between the two countries has
always been one of full cooperation and frank communication.
U/S Al Mahmoud referenced the Crown Prince's July meetings in
Washington with VP Cheney, SecDef Rumsfeld, SecState Powell
and National Security Advisor Rice as an indication of the
bilateral willingness to discuss sensitive issues, such as
security.

--------------
GOB TAKES NATIONAL SECURITY SERIOUSLY
--------------


3. (C) U/S Mahmoud assured Charge that ensuring its
citizens' safety is one of the GOB's top priorities. Charge
said that national security is essential and the actions
taken by the GOB regarding the terror suspects must reflect
the GOB's commitment to public safety and the security of its
citizens. Charge noted that there continue to be threats in
the region and elements that constantly challenge Bahrain's
security. Emphasizing that frank discussion of sensitive
issues is the only way to improve bilateral relations and
move the relationship forward, Charge said that the USG will
continue to raise security issues with the GOB and offered
assistance to aid the GOB in its efforts to meet these
challenges.


4. Affirming the GOB's commitment to regional security, A/US
Shaikh Abdul Aziz announced that in coordination with IISS,
Bahrain will host a National Gulf Security Conference on
December 3-5. The conference is a continuation of the IISS
Shangri-La dialogues on regional defense cooperation that
took place in Singapore last year. France, Russia, the United
Kingdom and all GCC countries plan to participate and IISS
has extended an invitation to US National Security Advisor
Condolezza Rice to participate.
ZIADEH