CODEL MILLER DISCUSSES COUNTER-TERRORISM, IRAQ,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MANAMA 001337

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, H

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER MARR ECON ETRD BA IZ
SUBJECT: CODEL MILLER DISCUSSES COUNTER-TERRORISM, IRAQ,
ECONOMY WITH CROWN PRINCE

Classified by DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

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Summary
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1. (C) Codel Miller met with Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin
Hamad Al Khalifa August 22 and discussed the domestic
security situation, status of counter-terrorism laws in
Bahrain, Iraq, the military confrontation in Najaf, U.S.
public outreach efforts in the Middle East, Arab-Israeli
relations, Afghanistan, the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement
(FTA),the domestic economy, and the U.S. Navy presence in
Bahrain. The Crown Prince repeatedly stressed the strength
of the long-standing U.S.-Bahrain bilateral relationship,
noting that both countries had benefited from it. He spoke
of enhancing intelligence cooperation, trade and investment
relations via the FTA, and the importance of personnel
contacts in furthering the mil-mil relationship. Regarding
Iraq, he counseled American steadfastness in facing down its
enemies there and offered specific suggestions to improve the
situation on the ground. End Summary.


2. (C) Representative Jeff Miller (R-FL) led a bipartisan
congressional delegation to Bahrain August 22-23 composed of
Representatives John Boozman (R-AR),Madeleine Bordallo
(D-Guam),Tom Cole (R-OK),Jim Marshall (D-GA),and Adam
Schiff (D-CA),House Armed Services staff members Michael
Higgins and Mark Lewis, and military escorts LTC Richard
Simcock and GySgt Lorenzo Chance. The CODEL met with Crown
Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain Defense
Force Chief of Staff Major General Shaikh Mohammed bin
Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Embassy country team, NAVCENT
officials, and overnighted on the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy in
the Persian Gulf. The Charge and Pol/Econ chief (notetaker)
attended the meeting with the Crown Prince.

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Enhanced Intelligence Cooperation with U.S.
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3. (C) Representative Miller opened the meeting by thanking
Bahrain for its support for and long-standing relationship
with the United States. He briefed the Crown Prince on the
CODEL's travels and invited his colleagues to raise any
issues of concern. The CP welcomed the group and expressed
his condolences for the recent loss of life in Florida due to
Hurricane Charley. Representative Schiff asked about the
threat of terrorism in Bahrain. The CP noted that there are
individuals with the capacity to carry out attacks anywhere
in the world and all countries are vulnerable. In an oblique
reference to the six Bahrainis arrested in mid-July, he said
that when the United States and Bahrain share information,
they can build robust cases against those individuals
threatening the public order. He stressed that Bahrain wants
to enhance its intelligence cooperation with the U.S.


4. (C) Turning to threats from the outside, the CP said that
maintaining stability and unity in Iraq would have a positive
influence throughout the region and the world. The best way
to reach Muslims' "hearts and minds" is to achieve liberty
and freedom in Iraq and help broker an equitable solution
between Arabs and Israelis.

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New CT Law to Address Terrorist Threat
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5. (C) Representative Bordallo asked about Bahrain's
counter-terrorism laws. The CP said that the problem is the
weakness of Bahrain's existing conspiracy law. It was
written to address the planning of crimes and stipulates a
maximum penalty of three years in prison. This is inadequate
for use against terrorists, who seek to cause mass
casualties, and the country is developing a new conspiracy
law to address this kind of threat. Regarding the case of
the six Bahrainis, he said that they are behind bars and are
"not going anywhere."

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Stable Iraq Free of WMD
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6. (C) Following up on the topic of Iraq, Representative
Cole requested the CP's advice on how the U.S. should proceed
there. The CP replied that America's actions must be
determined by its objectives. If the U.S. really wants a
free democracy in Iraq, it must consider the possibility that
Iraq could become an Islamic republic. The CP commented that
he believes the U.S. objective is a stable Iraq free of
weapons of mass destruction. In this case, the Iraqi
government should halt the de-Baathification process, which
is viewed by many as a process to settle personal vendettas.
Rather, the Iraqi government should identify the real
criminals and prosecute them, but issue a general amnesty for
everyone else, as was done in South Africa, Ireland, and even
in Bahrain in the 2002 constitution.

7. (C) Second, the U.S. should support the development of
the Iraqi civilian defense force so that Al Sadr and other
"jihadists" do not fill the vacuum created by the dissolution
of the Iraqi Army. Finally, the CP stated that the United
States must steadfastly support its troops on the ground so
they can get the job done.


8. (C) Representative Marshall noted that damaging or
destroying the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf could become an
anti-American rallying point for our enemies. The Crown
Prince said that U.S. and Iraqi forces should avoid
destroying the shrine at all cost. However, Muslims would
eventually get over some inadvertent damage to it as a result
of a military operation. He noted that in 1979, when
radicals occupied the mosque in Mecca, the Saudi army ran a
tank through the main door and settled the problem.


9. (C) Marshall said that the U.S. position would be
improved by voices in the region speaking publicly in support
of the United States. The CP replied that Iraqis should
speak up before others in the region do so. He noted that
the issue of influencing Arab public opinion was being
discussed in Washington and recommended the U.S. focus its
activities on populous "anchor states" in the region such as
Egypt and Morocco.

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Israel's Controversial Settlement Policy
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10. (C) Returning to his theme of enhancing security
throughout the region, the Crown Prince said that the Arab
street considered Israeli settlement building to be the most
controversial issue in Israeli-Palestinian relations. He
conjectured that Prime Minister Sharon wants to withdraw from
Gaza to focus on strengthening the settlement infrastructure
in the West Bank. Rather than pursuing such a contentious
policy, Israel could be working with friendly Arabs (like
Bahrain) to counter true threats, such as Iranian missiles
capable of striking Israel and other countries in the region.
He asserted that he has no sympathy for Arafat, who is a
problem, and that both the Israeli and Palestinian
leaderships had demonstrated no real will to address the
fundamental differences between them.


11. (C) Referencing the Codel's travels, the CP said that in
Afghanistan, it appeared that the security situation was more
stable in larger areas of the country. Stating that a
growing economy would lead to a more stable security
situation, he suggested that the United States and other
developed countries grant trade preferences for Afghanistan's
agricultural exports and signal their support for the passage
of oil pipelines through Afghan territory.

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Diversify Economy Through FTA
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12. (C) Representative Boozman questioned the CP about
Bahrain's expectations related to the U.S. Free Trade
Agreement. He replied that stability and security are driven
by economic opportunity and growth, and the FTA will permit
Bahrain to seize the day and develop a stronger economy. In
response to Representative Marshall's follow up question on
the long-term future of Bahrain's economy, the Crown Prince
said that currently Bahrain's engines of economic growth are
petroleum, finance, manufacturing based upon low-cost natural
gas, tourism, information technology and other business
services, and government. He looks forward to the day when
the roles of the government and petroleum sector in the
economy are reduced. He recalled the advice of a Singaporean
visitor, who said that small nations must produce high
quality products, be adaptable, attract new businesses, and
"their vision cannot be constrained by their size." He
commented that he wants the standard of living of all
citizens to improve as a result of enhanced U.S. trade and
investment relations via the FTA, and not just the 2,000
wealthy, plugged-in business people.


13. (C) To close the meeting, Representative Miller asked
about the status of the DOD-run Bahrain School. The Crown
Prince responded that the school is an excellent ambassador
for the United States in Bahrain, and it will produce the
next generation of political and business leaders in the
country. In addition, it forges personal links between
Bahrainis and Americans. In this regard, the CP mentioned
that stable relationships are particularly important in
military affairs. In an unstated reference to the U.S.
global defense posture review, he said that Bahrain and the
U.S. Navy had enjoyed great results from their 50-year
relationship. Navy personnel had lived and worked side by
side with Bahrainis, and when they needed each other, they
stood together. The U.S. has always understood the
importance of building relationships and should continue to
do so into the future.

MONROE