AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES SECURITY ISSUES WITH INTERIOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001602

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, S/CT, DS/IP/NEA AND DS/IP/ITA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2015
TAGS: ASEC BA PGOV PHUM PTER
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES SECURITY ISSUES WITH INTERIOR
MINISTER SHAIKH RASHID

REF: A. MANAMA 01503

B. MANAMA 01578

C. MANAMA 01547

D. MANAMA 01553

E. STATE 199225

F. STATE 199863

G. MANAMA 01486

H. STATE 199146

I. MANAMA 01501

J. MANAMA 01406

Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Begin summary: The Ambassador advised Minister of
Interior Shaikh Rashid October 29 that the USG is prepared to
transfer a third Bahraini national from Guantanamo to the
government of Bahrain. The Ambassador noted continued
concerns over the inflammatory remarks by Iranian President
Ahmadi-Nejad and the possible ramifications in Bahrain.
Recent articles alleging abuse and hunger strikes involving
Bahraini detainees in Guantanamo were also discussed as were
events in Iraq and the status of the Joint Counterterrorism
Center in Bahrain. End summary.

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RELEASE OF A THIRD GUANTANAMO DETAINEE
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2. (C) The Ambassador met on October 29 with Minister of
Interior Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa to discuss
several security related issues in Bahrain. The Ambassador
began by advising the Minister the U.S. was prepared to
release a third Bahraini detainee from Guantanamo to the
exclusive custody and control of the Government of Bahrain in
the near future (ref h). The detainee would be transferred
following receipt of written assurances similar to those
received for the release of two other Bahraini detainees.
The Ambassador asked the Minister for clarification on who
would assume custody of the detainee upon arrival in Bahrain
and reiterated the USG's concern that the individual not have
an opportunity to leave Bahrain or become involved in future
terrorist activities. The Minister assured the Ambassador
that steps would be taken to ensure the activities of the
returned detainees were monitored and any information
generated from interviews conducted by Bahraini authorities
would be made available to the USG.

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COMMENTS BY IRANIAN PRESIDENT
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3. (C) The Ambassador discussed recent statements by Iranian
President Ahmadi-Nejad calling for Israel to be quote wiped
off the map unquote. Shaikh Rashid stated he was initially
shocked by the comments and believed the President had
perhaps misspoken or been misquoted. However, follow-up
statements by the Iranian government endorsing such a stance
were simply unacceptable and highlight the fact Iran is the
number one threat for the region and Bahrain. The Ambassador
highlighted the recent demarche underscoring the United
State's deep concern over these remarks and the continued
international anxiety regarding Iran's nuclear program and
it's alleged support of terrorism. He encouraged Bahrain to
take an aggressive public stance against such statements and
hoped neighboring Gulf states would follow (ref f). The
Minister went on to say the upcoming International Institute
for Strategic Studies (IISS) conference in Bahrain would
provide an important opportunity to discuss coordinated
responses to what he perceives to be an ever-increasing
threat in the Gulf.

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AL QUDS DAY CELEBRATIONS IN BAHRAIN
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4. (C) The Minister raised the issue of the Al Quds Day
celebrations that took place on October 28 as an example of
how things have changed. The celebrations, while slightly
smaller than last year's event, saw the usual burning of
American and Israeli flags as well as posters denouncing the
U.S. administration. However, despite calls by some
religious leaders urging people not to carry any symbols
unrelated to the Palestinian cause, new to this year's
celebration were the presence of several Hezballah flags as
well as photos of the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-Khamenei. Public
Security Chief Abdul-Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani commented the
reactions were perhaps in response to the recent inflammatory
comments of the Iranian President (ref e and f). Shaikh
Rashid opined that President Ahmadi-Nejad likely timed his
statements to arouse passions before Al Quds Day
celebrations, and to deflect Iranian thought away from the
government's inability to improve things domestically. He
added that if President Ahmadi-Nejad keeps talking like this
it would only mean trouble for the region. This will have to
be monitored, he stated, and the Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC) would need to consider what it could do to counter it.
He expressed concern over the potential impact it would have
on Bahrain's Shia, and suggested Shia elements would have to
be watched more closely. Shaikh Rashid was clearly worried
about the direction Ahmadi-Nejad was taking his country, and
the impact the rhetoric would have in Bahrain.
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PRESS REPORTING ON GUANTANAMO
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5. (SBU) The Ambassador briefly discussed recent press
reporting (ref c and d) alleging the sexual humiliation of
Juma Al Dossary and the advanced hunger strike of Issa Al
Murbati. The Ambassador expressed concerns about the
inaccuracies found in the Arabic daily Akhbar Al Khaleej and
English daily Gulf Daily News on October 19 and 20 and stated
the Embassy was exploring a public response to the
accusations. The Minister noted the inaccuracies and agreed
with the Ambassador's suggestion of a public response to the
allegations.

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EVENTS IN IRAQ
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6. (C) Recent progress in Iraq to include the referendum on
the draft constitution (refs a and j) were discussed, and the
Ambassador again thanked the Minster for the Bahrain
government's support for the referendum. While the Minister
agreed some progress was being made, he commented the USG
should reconsider the role of previous Iraqi military
personnel within the new government. He stated there were
thousands of trained and loyal Iraqis among those military
personnel removed from their positions who would take up the
call to serve their country. He added Iraqi Sunni's have
historically never been anti-American, however, circumstances
are being created that could change that position. Pending
individual security clearances, allowing ex-military
personnel to apply for positions within the government would
assist in the transition to a new and stable government and
help to speed-up the departure of U.S. military forces.
General Zayani added they would not have to be part of the
new military or police forces but in lesser roles within the
government such as the National Guard.

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JOINT COUNTERTERRORISM TASK FORCE
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7. (C) On the Joint Counterterrorism Center (JCTC),General
Zayani commented the structure scheduled to house the center
has been identified and equipment purchases are being made.
It is still hoped the center would be operational in early

2006. The Ambassador reiterated the importance of moving
forward on the establishment of the JCTC as quickly as
possible, and urged the Minister to continue to give his full
support for the center.
MONROE