Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MANAMA1281
2005-09-05 14:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

TFUS01: GOB REACTS TO KATRINA

Tags:  PREL EFIN AEMR EAID KPAO BA US 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001281 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2015
TAGS: PREL EFIN AEMR EAID KPAO BA US
SUBJECT: TFUS01: GOB REACTS TO KATRINA

REF: A. MANAMA 1271 (NOTAL)

B. MANAMA 1270 (NOTAL)

C. MANAMA 1269 (NOTAL)

D. STATE 163366

E. MANAMA 1259 (NOTAL)

Classified by Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001281

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2015
TAGS: PREL EFIN AEMR EAID KPAO BA US
SUBJECT: TFUS01: GOB REACTS TO KATRINA

REF: A. MANAMA 1271 (NOTAL)

B. MANAMA 1270 (NOTAL)

C. MANAMA 1269 (NOTAL)

D. STATE 163366

E. MANAMA 1259 (NOTAL)

Classified by Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).


1. (C) In a September 4 meeting covering several subjects,
Foreign Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa
extended his condolences to the Ambassador for the
catastrophe brought on by hurricane Katrina. He reiterated
the GOB pledge made by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar the previous day to donate $5 million
to the relief effort (Ref A) and noted that Crown Prince
Salman had sent condolence messages to President Bush and
Vice President Cheney (Refs B and C). (Note: Shaikh
Mohammed had previously sent a letter to the Secretary, Ref
E).


2. (U) The Bahraini cabinet issued a statement September 4
announcing the $5 million donation. The cabinet affirmed
Bahrain's unity with and sympathy towards the people and
government of the United States in the wake of the disaster.
Bahraini papers also widely covered the story of Dr. Mohammed
Mirza, a University of Bahrain physics professor who was in
New Orleans on a Fulbright scholarship to study at Tulane
University. At the instruction of local authorities, Dr.
Mirza departed the city ahead of the storm and took refuge
with his brother-in-law in Chicago. He plans to return to
Bahrain soon, having lost the possessions he left behind in
his "sunken" apartment. In his comments, Dr. Mirza expressed
his appreciation for the assistance of the Department,
Embassy Manama, and the Fulbright Commission during his
ordeal.


3. (U) The Embassy passed routing information for transfer
of the $5 million donation to Finance Ministry Assistant
Under Secretary Mahmood Al Kooheji. We are awaiting
confirmation that the transfer is complete.

MONROE