BAHRAINI GOVERNMENT MULL STATEMENT ON IRAQ,

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000486

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/06/2014
TAGS: BA IZ MOPS PREL
SUBJECT: BAHRAINI GOVERNMENT MULL STATEMENT ON IRAQ,
WONDERS ABOUT IGC STATEMENT

REF: MANAMA 476

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Robert Ford, reason 1.4 (a) and (d)


1. (C) Charge followed up with a top political advisor to
Bahrain's King Hamed bin Isa on April 6 to brief on Iraq
developments and urge a statement of public support for U.S.
efforts in Iraq. The King's advisor said that the King and
his kitchen cabinet had discussed Iraq events and our request
of April 5 for a public statement. The Bahrainis are
strongly supportive, the aide underlined, saying quote you
are doing what you must do unquote. The GoB, however, is
reluctant to issue any kind of public statement before the
Iraq Governing Council (IGC) itself comments on the latest
violence, he cautioned. Charge promised to check on IGC
statements and be back in touch.


2. (C) Separately, the MFA's Minister of State also
affirmed to Charge on April 6 that the GoB is entirely
understanding and supportive of U.S. operations in Iraq; the
Sadr threat, he commented, must not be allowed to continue.
On the issue of a Bahraini public statement, however, he said
the GoB does not want to get ahead of other governments. He
asked we provide texts of any other government's statements
on the latest developments in Iraq.


3. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.
FORD