Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04MANAMA1553
2004-10-12 12:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE OCTOBER 9, 2004 MEETING WITH

Tags:  PREL MARR MOPS PGOV BA SA IZ 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001553 

SIPDIS

OSD FOR ES/USDP/ASD-PA/CHAIRS
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2014
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS PGOV BA SA IZ
SUBJECT: SECRETARY OF DEFENSE OCTOBER 9, 2004 MEETING WITH
BAHRAIN KING HAMAD BIN ISSA AL KHALIFA


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

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001553

SIPDIS

OSD FOR ES/USDP/ASD-PA/CHAIRS
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2014
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS PGOV BA SA IZ
SUBJECT: SECRETARY OF DEFENSE OCTOBER 9, 2004 MEETING WITH
BAHRAIN KING HAMAD BIN ISSA AL KHALIFA


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


1. (C) Summary: SecDef met with Bahrain King Hamad Bin Issa
Al Khalifa on October 09, 2004, in Bahrain. The King made
the following points: (1) The ultimate responsibility for
the security of Iraq rests with the Iraqis, not the U.S. (2)
Reaffirmed Bahrain's commitment to support the U.S. both in
country and the region and offered to do more in Iraq. (3)
Saudi Arabia is dealing with the threat but needs our
continued support. SecDef made the following points: (1) The
U.S. and Coalition responsibility is to create an environment
so the Iraqis can take responsibility for the security of
their county. (2) Acknowledged Bahrain's support. (3)
Discussed the need for moderate leaders to step up and speak
the truth. (4) The Saudis were slow to counter terrorism but
are doing better now. End Summary.


2. (C) Responsibility for Security: The King said that the
U.S. had opened the eyes of everyone about what is right.
"It is not your job to make the Iraqis succeed; that is up to
the Iraqi people." He said that the U.S. had accomplished
its mission. Iraq is in the hands of the Iraqis. The U.S.
did its best by creating the right atmosphere by opening the
airports, rebuilding the schools, and getting rid of Saddam.
The U.S. soldiers should not be patrolling the streets of
Baghdad; the Iraqis should. SecDef said the U.S. only has
the responsibility to create an environment so the Iraqis can
take care of themselves.


3. (C) Bahrain's Commitment to the U.S.: The King said
Bahrain is committed to the U.S. He said Bahrain needs
stability to maintain its political and economic development.
He said Bahrain has made good progress on reform relative to
the region but not compared to the rest of the world. The
King said that Bahrain has an open society -- where people
can speak freely provided they follow the law -- and they can
demonstrate peacefully. However, the people have never
demonstrated against the U.S. Navy in the last five years.
SecDef said that he was appreciative of the support that
Bahrain has given the U.S. fleet and the Iraqis.


4. (C) Saudi Arabia: The King said that he was worried about
the security in the region, and particularly about Saudi
Arabia. He said there would be a problem if the radicals
took over the Kingdom. "We do our best to support the Saudi
Government and their efforts." SecDef said the Saudis had
been slow to get engaged. When the attacks happened they
were not ready and they are still not particularly well
trained or equipped, although they are improving.


5. (C) Moderate Muslim Leaders: SecDef said that there need
to be more moderate leaders, such as the Bahrainis, who stand
up against radical leaders. We need them to tell the truth.
Karzai, Allawi and Musharraf are leaders in this respect.
The King said he told clerics that if you speak up against
the U.S., we can bring you down. Although in Bahrain, he
said, the clerics are not that tough.


6. (U) SecDef has approved this cable.

MONROE