Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04MANAMA1227
2004-08-04 10:34:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

MINISTER OF INTERIOR: HELP US PUT THESE GUYS AWAY

Tags:  ASEC PTER PREL PGOV BA 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001227 

SIPDIS

NOFORN

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2014
TAGS: ASEC PTER PREL PGOV BA
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF INTERIOR: HELP US PUT THESE GUYS AWAY

REF: STATE 155752

Classified By: CDA SUSAN ZIADEH FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d)

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001227

SIPDIS

NOFORN

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2014
TAGS: ASEC PTER PREL PGOV BA
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF INTERIOR: HELP US PUT THESE GUYS AWAY

REF: STATE 155752

Classified By: CDA SUSAN ZIADEH FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d)


1. (S/NF) CDA, RSO and POL met with Interior Minister General
Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and Under-Secretary for
Operations Brigadier General Abdel-Latif Zayani August 3 to
discuss the status of the investigation regarding the six
Bahraini extremists in custody, security issues and U.S.
assistance in establishing a Counter-Terrorism Operations
Center.


2. (S/NF) ACTION: Embassy requests DS/ATA and S/CT provide
assistance/expertise for the MOI to establish a
Counter-Terrorism Operations Center. The MOI document will be
faxed for review and comment.

- - - - - - - - -
The Relationship
- - - - - - - - -


3. (S/NF) Shaikh Rashid opened the meeting by welcoming the
Charge to Bahrain and stated that there should be no doubt
about the strong ties between Bahrain and the U.S. He
commented that both governments should be proud of the strong
mutual relationship and emphasized that there is great
political will on the part of the Bahraini government to
maintain security and protect U.S. interests.


4. (S/NF) Charge noted the GOB's support regarding security
issues and indicated that Bahrain faces new terrorism
challenges. Shaikh Rashid agreed there are threats, and said
the six arrested were destructive elements seeking to cause
trouble. He acknowledged that the six were local elements
and that Bahrain could no longer simply point to a regional
problem. "We are not immune ", he said. Shaikh Rashid
highlighted that he and the GOB recognize they must not be
late, like Saudi Arabia, in dealing with terrorism.

- - - - - - - - -
Democracy and Law
- - - - - - - - - -


5. (S/NF) Charge asked for an update on the investigation.
Shaikh Rashid stated that Bahrain is in a new era of
democracy and the GOB must demonstrate credibility to the
public regarding the re-arrest of the six extremists so soon
after their earlier release. He affirmed that the six
extremists were working toward an attack but admitted that so
far the case is legally difficult to prove. He stated that a
counter-terrorism law King Hamad supports is now ready for
the Parliament to review and will likely be approved. The
Minister indicated that the MOI could present a case to the
prosecutor in advance of the 45-day detention period if
sufficient evidence is developed; alternatively, should
additional time be needed, the detention could be extended.
The MOI and Bahrain's National Security Agency (NSA) will
continue to work on the case. He acknowledged Ministry of
Interior (MOI) and NSA shortcomings in investigative
techniques and interrogations, and was unsure whether
sufficient evidence has been developed to connect the six men
with crimes. He did recognize that the computer forensics
investigation has yielded bomb making plans, but was not sure
whether it would meet the threshold for prosecution. Shaikh
Rashid asked for Embassy assistance in developing evidence
and the complete sharing of information.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Counter-Terrorism Operations Center
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


6. (S/NF) Charge sought clarity on the scope of the proposed
counterterrorism center and GOB efforts to launch this
effort. Shaikh Rashid responded that he had initiated this
idea in his previous position as Chief of Staff of the
Bahrain Defense Forces and given current trends in the
region, it was more critical than ever that Bahrain establish
this capability. The Shaikh asked the Charge for assistance
in establishing a CT Operations Center (CTOC) (reftel) in
Manama to coordinate the efforts of the MOI, NSA, Bahrain
Defense Forces, National Guard and U.S. agencies. NOTE: The
MOI provided RSO a copy of their initial CTOC plan. RSO will
request assistance from DS/ATA and S/CT to pursue the
request. END NOTE.


7. (S/NF) The Charge expressed appreciation for MOI
cooperation and indicated that the Embassy would inquire
about the Department providing assistance for a CTOC.


8. (S/NF) COMMENT: ORCA has been working to assist in
developing additional information, such as computer analysis,
that can be used to pin a case on the detainees. The CTOC is
a step in the right direction to help Bahrain iron out
interagency communication and turf battles. How long it will
take to stand up and how effectively its members will play
remains to be seen - but recognition of the need and movement
to stand up a CTOC on the part of the GOB is a welcome sign.
END COMMENT
ZIADEH