BAHRAIN: VISIT TO NEGOTIATE HOST COUNTRY AGREEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001531 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2015 TAGS: PARM PREL KTIA BA CWC SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: VISIT TO NEGOTIATE HOST COUNTRY AGREEMENT REF: STATE 191328 Classified by DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). (C) Pol/Econ chief October 19 delivered reftel demarche concerning consultations on negotiating a Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Host Country Agreement (HCA) to MFA Director for International Organization Affairs Ghassan Shaikho. Shaikho confirmed that the issue of negotiating an HCA remains active within the GOB, but said he was experiencing trouble prompting action from the Ministry of Defense, which would be part of any negotiation. He said he would send our demarche to MOD under cover of a letter expressing his interest in holding consultations with USG officials on an HCA on the margins of the November 7-11 CWC Conference of States Parties, and in hosting a U.S. delegation in Manama during the week of December 12. He noted that Bahrain's national day holiday would likely be celebrated December 16-18, so if the team were to come to Bahrain, they should come early in the work week which, in Bahrain, would begin on Saturday, December 10. MONROE