MINSTATE ABDUL GHAFFAR DISCUSSES COUNTER-TERRORISM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001302

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, S/CT, S/WCI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2014
TAGS: PREL PTER ASEC PGOV BA
SUBJECT: MINSTATE ABDUL GHAFFAR DISCUSSES COUNTER-TERRORISM
LAW, LEGAL CASE OF GITMO DETAINEES

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


1. (U) This is an action request; please see paragraph 8.

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Summary
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2. (C) The Charge met with Minister of State for Foreign
Affairs Dr. Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar to discuss the status of
Bahrain's counter-terrorism law, recent press articles on
legal cases concerning detainees at Guantanamo, and other
issues (septels). Abdul Ghaffar said that he could not pass
us a copy of the draft CT law because it was still under
review by the cabinet. He said it was modeled on UN and
other international CT conventions. He noted that the
cabinet had not yet decided whether the law would be
presented to parliament as a stand-alone bill or as an
amendment to the existing criminal code. The Charge
emphasized that the United States would continue to work
closely with Bahrain to combat local, regional, and
transnational threats to Bahrain's security. Regarding
Guantanamo, Abdul Ghaffar noted that British lawyers had
received permission from the U.S. Supreme Court to visit
their (British) clients, and the attorneys representing the
Bahraini detainees reportedly planned to seek similar
authorization. End Summary.

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CT Law Still With Cabinet
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3. (C) The Charge opened her August 18 meeting with Minister
of State for Foreign Affairs Abdul Ghaffar by asking about
the Minister's recent visit to Washington, noting that he had
offered to deliver a copy of the draft Bahraini
counter-terrorism law to us during his meeting with S/CT
Ambassador Black. Abdul Ghaffar said that he had a very
productive visit to Washington, and felt that the United
States and Bahrain were working closely together to identify
CT issues and share information. He said that we were facing
the challenge of terrorism together.


4. (C) Regarding the law, Abdul Ghaffar stated that it was
still with the cabinet, and he was unable to give us a copy
until the cabinet had received input and approval from the
relevant ministries. He assured the Charge that the United
States would be happy with the law, saying it was based upon
UN and other international CT conventions, such as the Arab
and GCC agreements on combating terrorism. He said the
cabinet was still unsure whether it would propose the law as
a stand-alone bill or as an amendment to the existing
criminal code. He noted that gaining parliamentary approval
for the law would be sensitive, and that the GOB was
preparing the ground by stressing that a world-class CT law
was in Bahrain's national interest, and that any shortcomings
would be harmful to Bahrain's future.

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Continued Vigilance Combating Terrorism
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5. (C) The Charge pointed out that terrorist threats can
emanate from local, regional, and transnational sources. She
said that the United States and countries in the region had
suffered greatly from terrorism, and the United States, like
the government of Bahrain, wants to be certain that Bahrain
does not suffer from this scourge. She pledged our support,
cooperation and assistance to ensure that the GOB is on top
of any challenges to the country's security. Abdul Ghaffar
responded that Bahrain would remain vigilant and continue to
cooperate with the U.S. and other friendly countries on CT
initiatives. He assured the Charge that there was no
daylight between the positions of the GOB and the United
States on combating terrorism. The Charge noted that a
strong CT law would enable the GOB to take firm action
against any elements seeking to disrupt the security
situation in the country and maintain rule of law.

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Attorney Access to Gitmo Detainees?
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6. (C) Abdul Ghaffar related that he had read an article in
the August 18 edition of Al-Wasat newspaper reporting that
British lawyers had obtained U.S. Supreme Court authorization
to meet with their (British) clients, detainees at
Guantanamo. The article continued that attorneys from the
firm Dorsey and Whitney, who represent Bahraini detainees,
would be requesting similar authorization over the next few
days. Abdul Ghaffar indicated that he would undoubtedly be
asked to follow up on this, and he requested an update from
us so that he could accurately portray the current
state-of-play.


7. (C) Action Request: Embassy requests information that we
can share with Abdul Ghaffar on the status of legal cases
concerning attorney access to Gitmo detainees.

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Comment
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8. (C) Abdul Ghaffar clearly understands that both the
United States and Bahrain have a strong national interest in
maintaining a stable security environment in Bahrain. In
recognition of political reality, he is keeping one eye on
the legislative hurdles the GOB will face when it presents
the law to parliament for passage. The timing and form of
the law as it is presented to parliament, and the
government's efforts to gain passage, will bear watching as
the GOB moves to get on top of the domestic security
situation. We will continue to seek a copy of the draft law.
End Comment.

ZIADEH