SECURITY ENVIRONMENT PROFILE QUESTIONNAIRE (SEPQ)

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001383 SIPDIS NOFORN DS/IP/ITA E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2014 TAGS: ASEC PTER SUBJECT: SECURITY ENVIRONMENT PROFILE QUESTIONNAIRE (SEPQ) REF: STATE 185263 Classified By: AMB William T. MONROE for reasons 1.5 (b and d) POLITICAL VIOLENCE ¶1. (C) DEMONSTRATIONS ¶A. Yes ¶B. Yes ¶C. Yes ¶D. 500-4,000 ¶E. Yes, anti-American demonstrations are usually triggered by US Military Action or US Foreign Policy. ¶F. In the last 12 months, some demonstrations have at times become violent. Numerous incidents of rock throwing and physical assault against police officers were reported. ¶G. No ¶H. Not in the last 2 years (April 5, 2002). ¶I. Yes there have been anti-government demonstrations in the last twelve months concerning democratic reform and unemployment concerns. ¶J. Yes ¶K. 500-4,000 ¶L. The majority of demonstrations are peaceful. However, violent demonstrations have taken place in the last 12 months ¶M. No ¶2. (C) MACRO CONFLICT CONDITIONS ¶A. There are no current interstate or intrastate conflicts in Bahrain. However, Shi'a dissatisfaction remains an area of concern and deeply motivated by the government's (Sunni) domination of the political process. The Embassy closely monitors Bahrain's political reforms and the populations' reactions. ¶B. No specific region although all anti-government activities take place in Manama. ¶C. Yes ¶D. Yes. Both the Sunni and Shi'a sects have demonstrated anti-Americanism in the past. Anti-Americanism is not endemic in Bahrain and is usually demonstrated in response to some USG foreign policy position or military action. For example, hostilities in Iraq have triggered demonstrations in the last 12 months. ¶3. (C) HOST COUNTRY CAPABILITIES ¶A. Yes, law enforcement agencies are reasonably well trained and responsive. ¶B. Yes, Post is in the mid-stage of a three year ATA training program with numerous sectors of the Government of Bahrain. So far, training provided by ATA and DOD has been well received and noticeably increased the skill level of the recipients. ¶C. No ¶D. Yes ¶E. Yes ¶F. Yes. In the last twelve months the security services have made notable arrests in the area of anti-terrorism. The GOB arrested 6 Al-Qaida supporters. They are presently in jail pending trial. ¶G. Yes ¶H. Very good ¶I. Average ¶J. Average INDIGENOUS TERRORISM ¶4. (C) ANTI-AMERICAN TERRORIST GROUPS ¶A. Yes ¶B. 3 Groups: Hizballah, Al-Qaida and The Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain. ¶C. No ¶D. N/A ¶E. No ¶F. No ¶G. Country-Wide ¶H. N/A ¶5. (C) OTHER INDIGENOUS TERRORIST GROUPS ¶A. No ¶B. N/A ¶C. No ¶D. N/A ¶E. N/A TRANSNATIONAL TERRORISM ¶6. (S/NF) TRANSNATIONAL TERRORIST INDICATORS ¶A. Yes, Hizballah and Al-Qaida have a known presence in country. ¶B. The cells have been known to have an operational, financial and support presence. ¶C. GOB is not sympathetic to groups, but has not dealt forcefully in eliminating them. ¶D. No ¶E. Yes. Although Bahrain is well known as a moderate country, it is nonetheless an Islamic country. Hizballah, Al-Qaida and other Islamic terrorist groups proclaiming resistance to the United States' presence in the region have generated some sympathies. This does not however, necessarily translate into a call to arms. ¶F. The EAC is aware of this presence and is particularly concerned with the Iranians. There has been IRGC surveillance of US military facilities in the past, but none reported recently. The EAC is also aware and concerned about a Chinese trade office located 30 meters from the Embassy parking lot. There is no information linking these hostile intelligence services to potential anti-American terrorist acts. ¶G. Possession of weapons is illegal in Bahrain. The EAC considers weapons and explosives to be unavailable in Bahrain. The EAC is concerned about the flow of weapons into Bahrain from Saudi Arabia. MONROE