LAWYERS STILL STUDYING ARTICLE 98 OPTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000774

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PM/SNA, L/PM, AND NEA/ARP
CAIRO FOR STEVE BONDY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2029
TAGS: PREL BA KICC
SUBJECT: LAWYERS STILL STUDYING ARTICLE 98 OPTIONS

REF: MANAMA 677

Classified By: Ambassador Ronald E. Neumann for reasons 1.5(b)d).

1.(C) Then Charge Robert Ford used his final calls to push
Article 98, but Bahraini lawyers are still studying entry
into force options, Foreign Minister Shaikh Muhammad bin
Mubarak Al-Khalifa told Charge on May 15. Charge delivered
copies of the entry into force notes from Tunisia, Morocco,
and India faxed to us by T staff and advised that the word
"ratification" need not appear in the notes exchanged. He
also made clear that the U.S. would not be willing to accept
a time limitation of the agreement.

2.(C) COMMENT: A Bahraini lawyer central to the internal GOB
debate is currently in Washington handling the legal aspects
of the Free Trade Agreement negotiation. We expect him to
return in early June. Meanwhile, the Ambassador has further
opportunities on his schedule of farewell calls to press for
bringing this agreement into force. END COMMENT.
NEUMANN