BAHRAIN SCHOOL: PRESERVE THE DOD CONNECTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001684

SIPDIS

FROM THE AMBASSADOR
STATE FOR: U/S GREEN,NEA/FO, NEA/ARPI, NA/EX, NEA/PI, A/FO,
A/OPR/OS
DEPARTMENT OF NAVY FOR CNO ADMIRAL VERNON CLARK
DOD FOR U/S FEITH, DUSD/NESA, DOD/ISA, DOD/OSD/PNR, DODEA
CENTCOM FOR GEN. ABIZAID AND POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/07/2014
TAGS: PREL ASCH AMGT BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN SCHOOL: PRESERVE THE DOD CONNECTION

Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe. Reason: 1.5 (D)


1. (C) We now face, as we did last summer, an urgent decision
regarding the DODEA-sponsored Bahrain School: should we
continue to support it as a DODEA school, or should we begin
the process of conversion to a more traditional international
school. While the school does indeed fit the profile of an
international school, especially in the absence of Navy
dependents, strong policy reasons argue for a continuation of
DODEA sponsorship, which has created a unique institution in
the Arab and Muslim world. I strongly urge that on policy
grounds a decision be made now to continue the school beyond
this year as a DODEA institution.


2. (C) The Bahrain School has been an important part of the
landscape of our bilateral relationship for over 35 years.
Its importance goes far beyond that of an educational
institution. It serves as a symbol of the positive role that
the U.S. Navy plays in Bahrain. It has educated key members
of Bahrain's political, economic, and security leadership,
who are now sending their children there. It has played a
central role in instilling American values and attitudes in
Bahrainis who are key supporters of our bilateral
relationship. The 9/11 Commission calls for the
establishment of a fund to build and operate schools in the
Muslim world. We already have a model school in Bahrain, run
by the U.S. Department of Defense, widely appreciated by
Bahrainis, and teaching the values of the American education
system. To pull the plug now simply does not make sense from
a policy perspective.


3. (C) Transition to a traditional international school is an
option from a purely educational point of view. The Bahrain
International School Association (BISA) is, in fact,
exploring that option if DODEA withdraws its support. The
BISA Board and the Government of Bahrain have been
unequivocal, however, that their strong preference is for the
Bahrain School to remain a DODEA institution.


4. (C) If we decide to withdraw DODEA sponsorship of the
school, we must be clear about what we will lose:

-- cutting the DOD ties may in time lead to an erosion of
support for our Navy presence in Bahrain.

-- we will lose a powerful symbol of the positive benefit of
official U.S.-Bahrain engagement, and of the U.S. military
presence here.

-- we will no longer be able to guarantee the current quality
of education provided by the Bahrain School if/when the U.S.
Navy decides to bring any dependents back to Bahrain.

-- future generations of Bahraini students will not develop
the bonds towards the U.S. and its Navy that the school has
so successfully nurtured.

-- an international school, without the DODEA affiliation,
simply will not have the same positive impact on bilateral
relations that the existing school has.


5. (C) Coming on the heels of the decision last summer by the
Navy to remove its dependents from Bahrain, a decision to
withdraw DODEA support for the school will raise doubts, both
in the government but also among the Bahraini public in
general, about the strength of the U.S. commitment to
Bahrain. They will wonder if this is the start of
disengagement from Bahrain.


6. (C) The presence of DOD's Bahrain School has served U.S.
policy well over the years. Withdrawing USG support of this
landmark institution at a time when the U.S. is engaged in a
battle for the hearts and minds of the people in the region
would risk throwing away much of the goodwill and positive
influence that the school has helped accrue over the years,
and foreclose potential opportunities for the future. I
truly hope we can make the policy decision to maintain the
school as a DODEA institution.
MONROE