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).

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Summary
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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.

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First-Hand View of Democracy
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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.

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Moving Toward FTA Implementation
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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."

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Arab League to Support All Iraqis
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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.

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Iran Seeking Good Relations with Neighbors
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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