KING HAMAD OPENS PARLIAMENT WITH PRAISE AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001463

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2015
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PREL BA
SUBJECT: KING HAMAD OPENS PARLIAMENT WITH PRAISE AND
PROMISES

REF: MANAMA 900

Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: King Hamad opened the fourth session of
parliament on October 1 with praise for the work of both
chambers of parliament over the last year, in particular for
the chairman and members of the Finance and Economy Committee
of the Council of Representatives (COR). The King commended
the contributions of the Economic Development Board (EDB),
which has advanced progressive economic policies encouraging
private sector growth. He also promised progress toward
alleviating the problems of unemployment and housing. He
barely mentioned foreign policy, making only brief comments
about strengthening GCC integration and praising the work of
the late Saudi King Fahd. His praise for parliament and its
role and responsibilities was likely targeted at boycotters,
some of whom have voted in recent days to register with the
government under the new political societies law, and are
known to be considering participating in the 2006
parliamentary elections. End Summary.


2. (U) King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa addressed a joint
session of parliament October 1 to open the fourth session of
this first legislative term since the adoption of the 2002
Constitution. Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, in addition to
the full cabinet and other notables, were in attendance.

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Unusual Praise for Parliamentarians
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3. (C) King Hamad was generous in his praise for parliament
and for specific parliamentarians, saying, "we pay tribute to
the President of the Consultative Council (Shura) and the
Speaker of the Council of Representatives and to all the
honorable members, and in particular the chairman of the
Finance and Economy Committee in the Council of
Representatives and the members of the Committee," for their
work on oversight of the government budget (reftel). (Note:
Committee chair Jehad Bukamal told the Ambassador he was
honored to have been singled out in this way.) The King also
promoted the concept of full participation in the political
system, referring to "comprehensive reform to renew
democratic life in the country" and "constructive political
participation in the march of national action." King Hamad
lauded the work of the parliament, which has made "the will
of the people the source of laws it enacts and decisions it
makes."


4. (C) The King encouraged parliament to expand its
oversight and accountability responsibilities. He said that
parliament "has undertaken its constitutional
responsibilities and powers in overseeing government
performance," and described parliament as "the source of
laws, oversight and legitimate accountability, and the house
of liberty and national unity." First Deputy Chairman of the
Shura Council Abdulrahman Jamsheer told us that the King's
speech sends the message to parliament to tighten its control
on government expenditure and to root out corruption where it
is found. COR member Jassim Abdul A'al considers the King's
speech to be encouragement to continue questioning ministers
on their policies.


5. (C) Turning to the EDB, headed by the Crown Prince, the
King said, "the Board has undertaken the task of advancing
economic policies that aim to bring about the participation
of the private sector and honorable citizens in shouldering
the responsibility, while the State coordinates and regulates
the process." Since assuming the chair of the Board in the
spring, Shaikh Mohammed Bin Essa Al Khalifa has taken an
active leadership position on economic affairs. The EDB has
recently taken on a much higher profile in promoting economic
reform, and has poached some of the most active and effective
government officials from various ministries to work at the
EDB. COR member Abdul Aziz Al-Mousa told us he was
optimistic that the King's speech would boost business
confidence by supporting the industrial sector of the economy.

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Reaching Out to the Disenchanted
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6. (U) The King devoted a major portion of the speech to
social affairs. Unemployment and housing have been hot
issues in recent months, given attention by oppositionists
and parliamentarians. He said, "all preparations to
implement the national employment plan have been completed.
The plan underlines the State's determination to provide
suitable work opportunities to all job seekers." He also
mentioned the possibility of exploring the creation of a
system of unemployment insurance, which does not currently
exist in Bahrain. Since the King's speech the government has
announced a public awareness campaign begining this month
declaring the opening of 20 registration centers throughout
Bahrain for all those looking for work. This is a further
step in the government's $83 million training/employment
program.


7. (U) On housing, the King expressed optimism while
simultaneously recognizing that more needs to be done, saying
there has been an "improvement in the standard of services
provided to citizens, particularly housing services - and
action is being taken to double those housing services in the
coming stage."

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Foreign Affairs
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8. (U) The King had little to say on foreign affairs. He
mentioned the importance of the GCC to the Arab nation and
his commitment to stengthening integration among GCC
countries. He expressed condolences to Saudi Arabia for the
loss of King Fahd, a founder of the GCC. He expressed hope
for continued stability and continuity under the late king's
brother, King Abdullah.

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"Work from the Inside"
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9. (C) COR member Jassim Abdul A'al told Emboff that the
King's comments were a message to those outside the political
system (the boycotters) that the parliament is a worthy
institution whose importance in Bahraini political life is
growing. Shura Council member Abdul Rahman Jawahery agreed,
telling us that the King was stressing to the opposition that
change is indeed happening within the system, even pressure
for the removal of ineffective ministers from their posts.
Jawahery said that the King's message to the opposition is
that it is counterproductive to remain outside the system and
to attempt to effect change through illegitimate means.

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Comment
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10. (C) The King's lavish praise for parliament, and in
particular for COR Finance and Economic Committee chair Jehad
Bukamal, signals to the Bahraini public his desire for the
legislative branch to beef up its government oversight
activities. The King's comments also serve to promote the
legitimacy of parliament at a time when the leading
boycotting societies, Shia opposition society Al Wifaq and
the secular National Democratic Action Society (NDAS),both
voted October 6 to register with the government under the new
political societies law and thereby set the stage for their
possible participation in parliamentary elections. The
King's goal is to bring the oppositionists into the system,
where they can influence policies from the inside.
MONROE