INITIAL BAHRAINI VIEWS ON GME PROGRAM INITIATIVES

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000695

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/12/2014
TAGS: PREL EAID BA MEPI
SUBJECT: INITIAL BAHRAINI VIEWS ON GME PROGRAM INITIATIVES

REF: A. STATE 86312

B. MANAMA 687

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES ROBERT FORD, REASON 1.5 (D)


1. (U) Mission officers distributed program concept papers
to some of our better contacts in Government and civil
society and later followed up to gauge reactions. MFA
Assistant Under Secretary Sheikh Abdelaziz bin Mubarak told
Charge May 12 that he had studied the papers and he found the
ideas reasonable. Bahrain already is working in several of
the fields proposed, such as elections, transparency and
education reform. If the Middle East initiative provided
additional avenues for Bahrain to access particular kinds of
assistance, then the GoB would welcome that. He also opined
that the ideas presented should not generate much controversy
among Arab states committed to reforms. None of the programs
listed looked immediately problematic, he concluded.


2. (U) A senior Education Ministry official told us earlier
this week that illiteracy is not a problem in Bahrain; the
literacy rate here in about 97 percent. However, project
initiatives aimed at closing the digital divide would be very
useful, according to a senior curriculum specialist. Our
Education contacts also said that the UNDP is working with
the Education Ministry on improving information technology in
the classroom but more help through the American initiative
would be welcome.


3. (C) Comment: Our democracy-related NGO contacts have
been slow to react to the program concept papers. Part of
this results from their being seized with the ongoing
confrontation with the Government over a petition drive
launched by the hard-line opposition (ref b). On the evening
of May 11, however, one of our contacts cautioned us that
reduced American credibility due to regional events will make
some Bahraini NGOs reluctant to engage, at least for now.
FORD