BAHRAIN: PREPARING FOR THE SHARM AL SHEIKH SUMMIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001163

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER KPAL KDEM BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: PREPARING FOR THE SHARM AL SHEIKH SUMMIT

REF: STATE 141247

Classified by Charge d'Affaires Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).

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Summary
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1. (C) The Charge delivered reftel demarche concerning the
Sharm Al Sheikh summit to Foreign Minister Shaikh Mohammed
bin Mubarak Al Khalifa in an August 10 meeting covering a
number of issues. Shaikh Mohammed said the summit had not
yet been rescheduled and relayed his sense that it could be
put off until after the presidential election in Egypt.
Shaikh Mohammed reiterated Bahrain's firm stand against
terror and said that King Hamad visited London shortly after
the bombings to demonstrate Arab and Muslim rejection of
terror. The ForMin said progress in the peace process would
allow Bahrain to take more formal steps in its relationship
with Israel and noted that he had met one day earlier with
Israeli MFA roving ambassador Bruce Kashdan. He was grateful
for the Secretary's phone call after Bahraini Charge in
Baghdad Hassan Al Ansari was wounded on July 5. Bahrain
supports Iraq's development and stabilization and had
welcomed Vice President Yawar in Manama recently. Shaikh
Mohammed said that Iraq's neighbors had made a strong
statement warning regional countries not to interfere in
Iraq's internal affairs and suggested Syria and Iraq find
ways to build confidence in one another on border security.
End Summary.

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No Date Set for Sharm Summit
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2. (C) In an August 10 meeting covering several issues
(septels),Charge delivered reftel demarche on preparing for
the Sharm Al Sheikh summit to Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign
Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa. In response
to the points, Shaikh Mohammed said that the summit had not
yet been rescheduled, though he hoped it would take place
soon. A complicating factor, the ForMin said, is that the
Egyptian presidential election campaign period opens on
August 15, and Mubarak may not want to hold the summit until
after the election. Mubarak might want to avoid being
accused of holding the summit for domestic political and
electoral reasons. In any case, Shaikh Mohammed said, King
Hamad will attend the summit whenever it is held.

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Firm Stand Against Terror
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3. (C) Responding to the points on terrorism, Shaikh
Mohammed said that the international community needs to make
a strong statement rejecting terrorism following the London
and Sharm attacks. He noted that King Hamad visited London
shortly after the bombings there to show that Bahrain
supports the UK during this difficult time, and to
demonstrate that Arab and Muslim countries stand firm against
terror. Shaikh Mohammed assured the Charge that Bahrain will
always speak out against terror, which threatens all
countries, including Bahrain.

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Hope for Israel-Palestinian Progress
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4. (C) On Israel and the Palestinians, the ForMin said that
Bahrain hopes the peace process will continue and that
Israel's relations with the Arab world will normalize. As
the peace process improves, Shaikh Mohammed said, Bahrain is
ready to move forward in its relationship with Israel.


5. (C) Shaikh Mohammed said that he had met the previous day
with Israel's roving ambassador, Bruce Kashdan, who is
focused on solidifying Israel's international connections.
The ForMin said Bahrain has had "quiet, businesslike"
contacts with Israel for some time. But before Bahrain can
take more public and formal steps, the people of Bahrain must
feel that the situation on the ground for the Palestinians
has improved. Bahrain does not want to allow an Israeli
office to open and then close it in response to conflict in
Arab-Israeli relations. The situation should be stable
before Bahrain establishes more formal links with Israel.


6. (C) Shaikh Mohammed stated that Bahrain would not object
to a consensus on adopting a new, neutral symbol for the Red
Cross/Red Crescent Movement, thus allowing Israel's Magen
David Adom to join. This is a humanitarian issue, he said.

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Bahraini Support for Iraq
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7. (C) With regard to Iraq, Shaikh Mohammed said that
Bahrain supports the Iraqi government, the Iraqi people,
peace, economic development, and ending terror. He noted
that Iraqi Vice President Ghazi Yawar had visited Bahrain
recently. Bahrain considers him to be an important link to
Iraq's Sunni community. The ForMin thanked the USG for its
assistance following the July 5 shooting of Bahraini Charge
in Iraq Hassan Al Ansari. He appreciated the Secretary's
phone call. In response to the Charge's question, Shaikh
Mohammed said that Bahrain "has in mind" either having Al
Ansari resume his duties or appointing someone else. It was
difficult to find someone willing to go to Iraq, but it could
prove easier now that the GOI has said it will provide
security for diplomats.

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Confidence Building on Syria-Iraq Border
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8. (C) On Syria, Shaikh Mohammed said that the communique
from the Iraq Neighbors Conference firmly stated that
bordering countries should not interfere in Iraq's domestic
affairs. Syria says it is doing its best to secure its
border with Iraq, but the other side disagrees. Both Syria
and Iraq should work together to build confidence in one
another. It was important that the instability in Iraq not
spill over the border into Syria. (Note: The ForMin
listened closely but did not comment directly on the points
on Syrian meddling inside Lebanon. End Note.)


9. (U) Minimize considered.

ZIADEH