BAHRAINI CONCERNS ABOUT G8 COMMITMENT TO BMENA

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000179

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI AND NEA/PI-FRANCESKI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2015
TAGS: ECON ECIN PGOV PREL BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAINI CONCERNS ABOUT G8 COMMITMENT TO BMENA

REF: 04 MANAMA 1747

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


1. (C) In a January 31 meeting with Econoff, Yousif Humood,
Bahrain's Director of Economic Planning at the Ministry of
Finance, expressed concern over the G8's apparent lack of
activity on important BMENA initiatives, in particular the
Entrepreneurship Center. He said that unless movement is
seen soon on the initiatives agreed to at the Morocco Forum
for the Future in December 2004, it may appear as if the G8
is backtracking. Regarding the Entrepreneurship Center, he
expressed dismay that Beyster Institute representatives had
twice postponed their visit to Bahrain, with current timing
of the visit tentatively set for the end of February. He
also voiced his suspicion that the Entrepreneurship Center
would become a MEPI vice G8 initiative because of the lack of
funding from other G8 countries. He said that establishment
of the center as a MEPI project changed its political tone in
Bahrain and throughout the GCC. This was not a big problem
for Humood, but the GOB might need to present the center to
the public in a different way.


2. (C) Humood also expressed his concern over the
radio-silence from the British, the current G8 president and
co-chair of the November 2005 Forum for the Future meeting in
Bahrain, noting that much planning needed to take place to
ensure a successful meeting. We have suggested to Humood
that he follow-up with the British Embassy concerning the
November Forum for the Future meeting. MFA Director for
Bilateral Affairs Dhafer Al Umran had earlier expressed the
same concern to Pol-Econ Chief. Al Umran said that he
welcomed any USG support and assistance in planning the
meeting. (Note. The British Ambassador acknowledged to us
that he had not begun discussions with the GOB on the
November Forum for the Future meeting, but noted that it was
still ten months away and assured us that he would engage the
GOB on the meeting. END NOTE.)


3. (C) Per reftel, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar told the Ambassador in November 2004
that his government is concerned that momentum in the BMENA
initiative could peter out under the British G8 presidency.
He is very appreciative of President Bush's leadership and
hopes that Prime Minister Blair demonstrates the same
commitment. As a start, Blair could invite regional leaders
to the next G8 summit. Abdul Ghaffar said that the
initiative was important to demonstrate that the G8
countries, and in particular the U.S., are friends doing
positive things for the peoples of the region.
MONROE