BAHRAIN: DEMARCHE ON CONVENTION TO BAN HUMAN

UNCLAS MANAMA 001697 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO BA UNGA KSCI SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: DEMARCHE ON CONVENTION TO BAN HUMAN CLONING REF: A. STATE 238954 ¶B. MANAMA 1662 ¶C. MANAMA 1622 Sensitive but unclassified (deliberative process); please protect accordingly. (SBU) On November 9, EconOff delivered points on the resolution to ban human cloning before the Sixth Committee (Ref A) to Ghassan Shaikho, MFA Director of International Organizations. Shaikho noted Saudi Arabia's support for the Costa Rican resolution and indicated that he expected Bahrain would follow the SAG lead (Ref B) and vote in favor of the resolution as currently drafted. He did not clarify whether the GOB had received a fatwa from Bahrain's Ministry of Islamic Affairs (Ref C) that would help the GOB justify its position. MONROE