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).

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Summary
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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.

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Session Chairs and S Participation
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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.

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Press Event, Signing Ceremony
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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.

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Invitations to Non-G-8 Supporters
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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