NEW FOREIGN MINISTER EMPHASIZES DESIRE TO ENHANCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001469 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD PINR BA IZ IR SUBJECT: NEW FOREIGN MINISTER EMPHASIZES DESIRE TO ENHANCE BILATERAL RELATIONS REF: A. MANAMA 1394 ¶B. MANAMA 1375 Classified by Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Newly-appointed Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid told the Ambassador October 5 that the United States "has a special place" in his heart and he wants to enhance the already strong bilateral relations. He stressed that King Hamad is committed to the path of democratic reform and expanding women's rights. He hoped for expeditious implementation of the U.S.-Bahrain free trade agreement and looks forward to the Secretary's visit for the November 11-12 Forum for the Future conference. Shaikh Khalid said that at the October 3 meeting in Jeddah, Arab League SecGen Amre Moussa agreed to visit Iraq to promote Sunni reconciliation and help shore up Sunni confidence by demonstrating Arab support. He said the major topics of discussion during Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki's October 4 visit to Bahrain were the nuclear issue and Iraq. Motakki told the Bahrainis that Iran wants to be a good neighbor. End Summary. -------------- First-Hand View of Democracy -------------- ¶2. (C) In their initial meeting, newly-appointed Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa told the Ambassador October 5 that he seeks to build upon the already strong relations with "our old ally" the United States. He noted that he had served as a diplomat in the Bahraini Embassy in Washington for almost ten years (from 1985 to 1994) and the United States "has a special place" in his heart. Shaikh Khalid studied political science in Texas during the late 1970's-early 1980's and as part of a course, he had volunteered to work during the 1980 presidential election. He said he was personally responsible for registering some 250 voters and had handed out literature outside polling stations on election day. He also volunteered for gubernatorial and mayoral races, terming his work "a great experience" in democracy. ¶3. (C) Shaikh Khalid emphasized King Hamad's determination to continue on the path of democratization. "We haven't reached the end, we will keep the momentum going and will not stop," the ForMin declared. Bahrain needs a democratic society for a democratic political system, noting there should be freedoms "at the ballot box and in the home." Bahrain has been a regional leader on women's issues and will continue to press for their rights, he said. -------------- Moving Toward FTA Implementation -------------- ¶4. (C) Turning to a hot domestic political issue, Shaikh Khalid said that Bahrain is against any boycotts in this age of international trade. Removing the boycott of Israel is the right thing to do. It doesn't mean, however, that Bahraini citizens are compelled to purchase Israeli products; they are free to make their own decisions. He said that Bahrain and Israel in practice recognize each other because they are both members of the UN and the WTO. Bahrain does not have to interact with Israel, but "we recognize that they are there." He added that he was scheduled to meet parliamentary critics of the boycott move the following week, and that he would stress that the move was part of Bahrain's adherence to international obligations, including at the WTO. (Note: The meeting took place October 9.) ¶5. (C) The Ambassador recognized the positive steps Bahrain had taken on the boycott and said that this should smooth congressional ratification of the U.S.-Bahrain free trade agreement (FTA). The ForMin stated Bahrain was anxious to implement the FTA, saying the agreement could prove to be a strong boost for the economy. The Ambassador noted there were still some outstanding issues related to labor and intellectual property rights, and Shaikh Khalid replied that Bahrain was moving toward addressing the U.S. concerns. ¶6. (C) The Minister said that Bahrain was looking forward to the Secretary's visit for the November 11-12 Forum for the Future conference. He stressed that Bahrain wanted to focus on G-8/BMENA accomplishments, like the Entrepreneurship Center and the Fund and Foundation for the Future. He noted that several countries had already made pledges to support the Fund, saying it was now "on solid ground." -------------- Arab League to Support All Iraqis -------------- ¶7. (C) In response to the Ambassador's question, Shaikh Khalid said he had attended the October 3 meeting on Iraq in Jeddah chaired by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud. He said the group of seven foreign ministers had convinced Arab League SecGen Amre Moussa to travel to Iraq to discuss debt relief, diplomatic relations, and the role the AL can play in Iraq, particularly on the constitution. Shaikh Khalid said that 95 percent of the constitution was very good but there were some areas that could be changed to address Sunni concerns, which would allow them to vote in favor of the charter in the referendum. The AL could help persuade Sunnis to support the constitution, and more broadly help boost Sunni confidence by demonstrating Arab support. Shaikh Khalid said that Prince Saud had emphasized that the Arab League should "support all Iraqis, not just the Sunnis." Shaikh Khalid continued that the ministers had told Moussa that he must do something to represent the Arab world and not cede the ground to Iran. Shaikh Khalid reported that Moussa had asked Syrian FM Shara to accompany him to Baghdad, but Shara had refused, saying he could go there "maybe afterwards." Moussa himself did not commit to a timeframe for an Iraq visit. ¶8. (C) Referring to October 2 public statements by Iraqi Interior Minister Bayan Jabr, Shaikh Khalid said that the derogatory attack on Prince Saud "hurt every single Arab." He complained it was not a statement from a responsible minister. He said Iraqi ForMin Zebari had apologized at the Jeddah meeting, both in public and in private. Prince Saud and Zebari worked well together at the meeting and Shaikh Khalid was confident they would continue to cooperate fully. ¶9. (C) Shaikh Khalid lamented the situation in Iraq, saying at one time it had been a modern, stable country, with a solid foundation based upon Bedouins, farmers, and Kurds. People did not think of themselves in sectarian terms, but rather as members of tribes, some of which are both Sunni and Shia. "Tyranny since 1958," the ForMin said, "created this mess," and it would take some time to resolve. The international community must assist the Iraqis during their period of transition. -------------- Iran Seeking Good Relations with Neighbors -------------- ¶10. (C) Shaikh Khalid said that Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki had visited Bahrain from Kuwait October 4 and met with King Hamad, Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak, and Shaikh Khalid. Mottaki came to introduce himself and to stress that Iran was a good neighbor. Shaikh Khalid said that the Bahraini message was that Bahrain wants good relations with Iran, but it has concerns about the nuclear issue. The Bahraini officials told Mottaki that Iran must be transparent and responsible on anything related to the nuclear file. Bahrain conveyed that the U.S. and EU-3 are dealing with the matter in a very serious way, and Bahrain wants Iran to cooperate fully according to its international obligations. Mottaki told the Bahrainis that President Ahmadinejad had said in New York that nuclear weapons are religiously forbidden ("haram"),and this statement was Iran's position on the issue. ¶11. (C) Shaikh Khalid reported that Mottaki told the Bahrainis that Iran wants a stable Iraq. Mottaki acknowledged but did not welcome Amre Moussa's upcoming visit. The Bahrainis said that Iran should do more to assist the Iraqi government and should not do anything to undermine the security situation. MONROE