UPDATE ON FORUM FOR THE FUTURE AGENDA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001498 SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PI E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2015 TAGS: PREL KMPI OVIP BA SUBJECT: UPDATE ON FORUM FOR THE FUTURE AGENDA REF: A. WINCUP-MONROE EMAIL OF 10/12/05 ¶B. MANAMA 1484 Classified by DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) The DCM October 15 presented Ref A points concerning the agenda for the November 11-12 Forum for the Future conference to MFA Assistant Under Secretary Shaikh Abdul Aziz. Shaikh Abdul Aziz said he would consider a U.S. proposal that Bahrain and the UK appoint chairs for each of the three substantive sessions at the conference, on education, civil society, and democracy. He agreed in principle to the U.S. suggestion that former co-chairs the U.S. and Morocco speak at the conference opening and upcoming co-chairs Russia and Jordan speak at the closing. He confirmed that at the closing, the Secretary would announce the launch of the Fund and Foundation for the Future directly following the Bahraini and British foreign ministers' report on the results of the conference. Journalists would ask questions only following the launch announcement. Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that Spain and Denmark would be invited to the Forum, and additional countries could be invited following U.S. confirmation that they would support the Foundation. End Summary. -------------- Session Chairs and S Participation -------------- ¶2. (C) DCM and Pol/Econ chief October 15 met with MFA Assistant Under Secretary for Coordination and Follow Up Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa to discuss Ref A points concerning the agenda for the November 11-12 Forum for the Future conference in Manama. The DCM suggested that Bahrain and the UK appoint ministers to chair each of the three functional items on the agenda: education, civil society, and democracy. Shaikh Abdul Aziz replied that Bahrain and the UK would chair the overall meeting and said he would discuss the proposal with Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. He asked for our input on specific ideas about who should chair each of the topics. ¶3. (C) The DCM stated that for reasons of continuity and inclusion, there should be time allocated for former co-hosts the U.S. and Morocco to speak at the conference opening and upcoming co-hosts Russia and Jordan to speak at the closing. Shaikh Abdul Aziz replied that this made sense and sounded reasonable, and he supported the idea in principle. He noted that by shortening the time allocated for Bahrain and the UK at the opening from ten minutes each to allowing five minutes each for Bahrain, the UK, U.S., and Morocco, the change could be made without altering the timing of subsequent sessions. He stated that he is working with the FCO's Frances Guy on the agenda and would contact her about the proposed change. He was aware that Guy is in contact with Washington officials about the agenda. -------------- Press Event, Signing Ceremony -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The DCM asked about the sequence of events at the conference closing, in particular the Secretary's announcement of the Fund and Foundation for the Future. Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that the Bahraini and British foreign ministers would speak first to the press about the results of the conference. Then the Secretary would announce the launch of the Fund and Foundation. Only after that announcement would journalists be invited to ask questions. ¶5. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz asked if the U.S. had views about a possible signing ceremony for a statement of principles on the Forum process. He said that the Moroccan representative at the recent London steering committee meeting had said that it would be difficult for ministers to sign a document without having reviewed the text earlier. Shaikh Abdul Aziz thought that the text of a possible statement should be circulated soon if ministers would be asked to sign it at the Forum. -------------- Invitations to Non-G-8 Supporters -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The DCM suggested that non-G-8 countries offering financial and political support for the Foundation be invited to attend the Forum. Spain and Denmark have already pledged support, and the U.S. was following up with Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Norway. Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that he and Guy had discussed Spain and Denmark and had agreed that they should be invited. Invitations would go out shortly. Regarding the other three countries, Shaikh Abdul Aziz said they would be invited as soon as the U.S. confirms that they will support the Foundation. ¶7. (SBU) In response to Pol/Econ chief's question, Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that Beyster Institute representatives would provide background information and support for a presentation on development of the Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence in Bahrain, but Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid would give the presentation at the Forum. This had been the GOB's intention all along. ¶8. (SBU) Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that the GOB would host a working dinner for foreign ministers the evening of Friday, November 11, and he hoped the Secretary would attend. It was his understanding that the subject of conversation would be non-Forum-related regional policy issues. The format of the dinner, with microphones on the table, would promote real interaction on the issues, he said. MONROE