CROWN PRINCE PROMOTING INTERNAL INTELLIGENCE AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001283

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, S/CT, INL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER MARR MOPS MCAP PINS BA
SUBJECT: CROWN PRINCE PROMOTING INTERNAL INTELLIGENCE AND
COUNTER-TERRORISM COOPERATION


Classified by Charge D'Affaires Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons
1.5 (b) and (d).

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) The Charge held her initial meeting with Crown Prince
(CP) Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa to discuss joint
counter-terrorism efforts, the security situation and the
status of the DOD Bahrain School. They also covered the
Saudi proposal for Muslim troops to Iraq and the U.S. global
defense posture (septels.) The Charge noted recent positive
developments in the security situation, but urged continued
attention to the issue. The CP emphasized that he is seized
with enhancing security in the country through improving the
capabilities of and cooperation among the Bahraini security
services. They need to shift their focus to solid
investigative work and obtaining evidence usable in court.
The CP suggested there be greater efforts on the strategic
level of the war on terrorism by addressing the core
conditions that lead some young people in the region to turn
to extremism. Regarding the Bahrain School, the CP pledged
to provide whatever assistance was needed, whether financial
or in-kind. He takes our security concerns in Bahrain
seriously, and he is pushing for systemic improvement. End
Summary.

--------------
Enhancing Capabilities and Cooperation
--------------


2. (C) The Charge opened the meeting by noting the recent
progress on security issues of bilateral concern and
stressing the need for continued vigilance. The CP commented
that he was now feeling more confident about internal
security and promised there would be additional developments
over the next several weeks to reinforce progress already
made. He was focused on enhancing the capabilities of and
cooperation between Bahrain's security forces so that they
can maintain the safety and security of the country while not
exceeding the limits of the law. The Charge stated that the
GOB has to ensure that individuals, local and foreign, are
not in a position to threaten the security of the country.
The CP, in an implicit criticism of the Bahraini security
apparatus, said that inadequate information sharing and
reliance upon certain sources of information could lead to
faulty decisions, and that he was working on correcting this.
Bahrain needs a "robust" intelligence system that is capable
of conducting thorough investigations and developing solid
evidence to be used in court. In the past, the security
services relied upon old national security laws to gain
convictions and now they must learn new techniques to obtain
more usable evidence. The CP indicated he has been working
directly with the new Minister of Interior who is focused on
enhancing U.S.-Bahraini cooperation and building the
capabilities of the ministry.


3. (C) The Crown Prince said that the war on terrorism was
being fought tactically in Najaf, Bahrain, and Pakistan, but
that there needed to be greater focus on the strategic level;
that is, addressing the reasons that some young Muslims are
attracted to extremism. The major determining factors on
this level are success in Iraq and U.S. involvement in the
Arab-Israeli conflict. He stated that the Palestinians must
renounce terrorism as a political tool and Israel must
dismantle settlements. He commented that the Arab-Israeli
conflict is the single issue that has most changed Muslims'
perceptions of the United States over the years. With regard
to the conflict, the CP noted that the Arab street believes
the United States speaks with clarity, but not with moral
authority.

--------------
Offer to Assist Security at School
--------------


4. (C) The CP asked about the status of the DOD Bahrain
School. The Charge noted that an announcement would likely
be made the next day. The Crown Prince said that he has a
personal interest in it because his children attend the
school and he is an alumni. He also indicated that the
school is central to our bilateral relationship and serves as
a source for democracy and political opening in Bahrain. The
Charge made reference to her previous meeting with Foreign
Minister Mohamed bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, during which the
Minister offered financial assistance to the school, if
needed, to ensure the Bahrain School reopened. In
particular, the Charge mentioned the need to provide security
for school teachers at their residences, among other possible
requirements. The CP replied that the GOB would provide
"whatever you need." The Charge thanked him and promised to
get back to him with a specific request.

--------------
Comment
--------------


5. (C) The Crown Prince went to great lengths to reassure us
that he and the GOB fully understand our security concerns in
Bahrain and that he shares them. He expressed reservations
about the previous methods of the Bahraini security services
and emphasized his intention to improve their practices and
coordination. He appears to have received our message about
getting on top of the security situation in Bahrain. We will
continue to watch closely the efforts of the GOB to improve
their CT capacities and, more importantly, monitor the impact
of those efforts. End Comment.

ZIADEH