CABINET AFFAIRS MINISTER MUTAWWA DELIVERS DRAFT

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001365

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, S/CT, DS
LONDON FOR E GOLDRICH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER ASEC ETRD ECON BA
SUBJECT: CABINET AFFAIRS MINISTER MUTAWWA DELIVERS DRAFT
COUNTER-TERRORISM LAW, DISCUSSES SECURITY SITUATION IN
AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY CALL


Classified by Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)

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Summary
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1. (S) The Ambassador paid an introductory call September 1
on Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al
Mutawwa and discussed Bahrain's draft counter-terrorism law,
bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation and the six terrorism
suspects, U.S. influence in the Arab world, Saudi Arabia,
Iraq, democracy, and bilateral economic ties. Al Mutawwa
passed the Ambassador a copy of Bahrain's draft
counter-terrorism law, which the Cabinet has approved and
will deliver to parliament in early October when the next
session begins. The Ambassador urged the GOB to keep the six
suspects in prison while the prosecution builds a case
against them. He said that he and Washington officials had
serious concerns about the suspects, and the U.S. reaction
would be very strong if they were released. Al Mutawwa said
that the GOB needed hard evidence against the six to keep
them in custody and requested our assistance in collecting
evidence. He told the Ambassador that he would urge the
Prime Minister to meet with the Ambassador soon to discuss
this issue. End Summary.

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Draft CT Law Delivered
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2. (C) Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al
Mutawwa September 1 welcomed the Ambassador to Bahrain and
assured him that he would find Bahrainis at all levels of
society to be very open with him. He commented on the
strength of our bilateral relations and said the two
countries were poised to take major steps, particularly
signing the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA). In the
context of enhancing bilateral cooperation, Al Mutawwa passed
the Ambassador a copy of the draft counter-terrorism law in
Arabic. He said that the Cabinet had approved the text of
the law and that the draft would be delivered to parliament
at the opening of the next session, in early October. He
hoped it would become law by the end of the year. Al Mutawwa
said that the Cabinet had not yet decided whether to present
the law as an amendment to the existing criminal code or as
new legislation. In any case, the substance would be the
same. The drafters used a recent UK counter-terrorism law as
the basis for the Bahraini draft. (Note: Embassy is
reviewing the draft and developing an executive summary.
Embassy will forward full Arabic text to NEA/ARPI. End Note.)

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Serious Concerns About Terrorism Suspects
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3. (S) The Ambassador stated that he had spent the summer in
Washington working on security-related issues with a focus on
the case of the six terrorism suspects. He said that
U.S.-Bahrain cooperation has been excellent, and the U.S. is
pleased with Bahrain's steps related to the CT draft law and
the development of a CT Operations Center. He noted that he
had been able to point to the many positive measures the GOB
had taken when arguing to lift the travel warning and Embassy
authorized departure, and to keep the DOD Bahrain School
open. He indicated, however, that he was concerned about the
status of the six detainees. He had learned that the
Bahraini judge had decided to extend their detention for just
15 days rather than 45 days, as the prosecutor had requested.
The Ambassador emphasized that they must remain in prison
while prosecutors and investigators built a case against
them. The Ambassador stated that he and Washington officials
had serious concerns about the suspects, and the U.S.
reaction would be very strong if they were released.


4. (C) The Minister said that security was Bahrain's top
priority. The GOB understands that terrorists can attack
anywhere, and life means nothing to them. He is pleased that
the GOB and USG are working together on counter-terrorism and
this cooperation will lead to real results.

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GOB Needs Additional Evidence Against Suspects
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5. (S) Regarding the six suspects, Al Mutawwa said that hard
evidence against them would improve the case to keep them in
custody. The court might rule that there was not enough
evidence against them currently to keep them in prison.
However, as additional evidence came to light, the GOB could
arrest them again. The Ambassador stressed the need for a
thorough investigation, and to keep the suspects in prison
while a case against them was being developed. The Minister
said that he understood the Ambassador's message and promised
to pass it to Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
He also pledged to urge the PM to meet soon with the
Ambassador.


6. (C) The Minister asked about the current situation in
Saudi Arabia. The Ambassador responded that it remained
worrisome. It was a good example of what could happen if a
government does not get on top of the security situation
early enough. He noted that bilateral cooperation was very
good now. Al Mutawwa stated that in the case of Iraq,
Bahrain shared and believed in the U.S. aim of stability.

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U.S. Assistance on Democracy and Economy
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7. (C) The Ambassador said that Bahrain had taken many
positive steps on democracy and economy. Al Mutawwa thanked
the Ambassador for U.S. assistance in these areas. He said
that Bahrain wanted to build a strong democratic base and was
committed to dialogue with the opposition to achieve this.
Regarding the FTA, the Minister said that the GOB was focused
on the benefits the Bahraini people can derive from the
agreement. The Ambassador pledged to work with the Bahraini
government and private sector to deepen trade and investment
ties between the two countries.

MONROE