Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MANAMA1833
2005-12-12 12:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES DEMONSTRATIONS AND IRAN WITH

Tags:  PREL PGOV ECON BA REGION POL OFFICIALS 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001833 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON BA REGION POL OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES DEMONSTRATIONS AND IRAN WITH
MINISTER OF STATE FOR CABINET AFFAIRS SHAIKH AHMED BIN
ATEYATALLA

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001833

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON BA REGION POL OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES DEMONSTRATIONS AND IRAN WITH
MINISTER OF STATE FOR CABINET AFFAIRS SHAIKH AHMED BIN
ATEYATALLA

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


1. (C) Summary: During a meeting with the Ambassador
December 4 newly-appointed Minister of State for Cabinet
Affairs and head of the Central Informatics Organization
Shaikh Ahmed Bin Ateyatalla Al Khalifa expressed dismay at
recent public disturbances, saying that they damage the
business climate. GCC neighbors have their eyes on the
Bahraini democratic experiment and are discouraged when they
see problems. He expressed concern about Iran's nuclear
ambitions and called attention to the recent name change of
the Bahraini branch of an Iranian bank. Shaikh Ahmed said he
has proposed that the GOB appoint an official government
spokesperson for the first time. He also said that the
younger generation of GOB officials have helped usher in
Information Technology (IT) reform. End Summary.

--------------
Visitors Want Fun, Not Demonstrations
--------------


2. (C) In a meeting December 4 with Shaikh Ahmed Bin
Ateyatalla, the Ambassador asked about the GOB reaction to
recent demonstrations and violence in the streets. Shaikh
Ahmed lamented the recent activities, saying that when
visitors to Bahrain see demonstrations and perceive a threat,
they do not want to return. These visible protests damage
the business climate. He pointed out that Bahrain is a
social and democratic experiment for other GCC countries.
Neighbors watch closely what happens in Bahrain, and if the
perception is that the experiment is progressing in a
negative direction, they will shy away from democratic
progress.


3. (C) Shaikh Ahmed continued that the petition signed by 28
members of the Council of Representatives against hotels
serving alcohol during Ramadan does not bode well for the
progressive social and business climate, which many are
trying to foster. Shaikh Ahmed stated that Dubai has been
effective in making Emiratis "share holders" in its becoming
a tourist hub, but that municipal councils in Bahrain have
blocked potential investment projects that would likely have

attracted tourists. Many Saudis visit Bahrain to enjoy
themselves, but if there is the perception that Bahrain does
not provide fun for people, they will stop visiting Bahrain.
He said that even alcohol-free Kuwait is making strides at
providing enjoyable activities for residents and visitors
including parties and concerts.

--------------
Concerns About Iran
--------------


4. (C) Shaikh Ahmed expressed concern about the influence of
Iran and Shi'a clerics in Bahrain and said that the GCC is
very nervous about Iran's nuclear aspirations. He explained
that Iran has long considered Bahrain a part of Iran; up
until 20 years ago the Iranian parliament had two members
that were considered representatives of the Bahraini islands.
He said there are indications that Iran has made Shaikh Isa
Qassem a representative spiritual head, "ayatullah," here in
Bahrain, authorized to collect "al-khums," for Shi'a, the
one-fifth share of one's savings donated each year in support
of community religious activities. He also said that a
well-known Iranian bank recently changed its name to Future
Bank, allegedly to mask its origins, and that it is a conduit
for funds to and from Iran.

--------------
GOB Image Needs Shining
--------------


5. (C) In the area of Cabinet affairs, Shaikh Ahmed said
that he is heading a media committee, which is focusing on
GOB public relations. The GOB has not been effective at
spreading its message; it needs to inform the public better
about what the government is accomplishing. He said that the
GOB has not had an official government spokesperson before
but expressed the need to appoint someone to this role.
(Note: The press reported this week that, for the first
time, the MFA plans to appoint a spokesman to deal with
foreign relations-related issues. End note.)


6. (C) The Ambassador inquired into recent press reports
about regulations on the posting of signs and banners in
public. Shaikh Ahmed said that the posting of unauthorized
signs had gotten out of control and was aesthetically
unpleasant. Some signs present sectarian issues promoting
disunity in the society. He said that the GOB has formed a
committee which will accept applications, verify that the
signs do not present anything contrary to Bahraini law, and
approve posting of the signs for a defined period of time.

--------------
Embracing Technology
--------------


7. (C) Regarding Bahraini government reform, Shaikh Ahmed
said that the younger generation of government ministers is
energetic and has the blessing of the King. He said that on
some initiatives progress is happening so fast that the older
ministers are letting go, stepping aside and allowing the
change to happen. An example is the IT initiative the GOB
has undertaken to connect 270 buildings throughout Bahrain,
including all ministries, forming a government intranet. He
explained that infrared, laser and microwave transmissions
are all being used.


8. (C) Shaikh Ahmed explained that Bahrain has begun
offering a "smart card" to its citizens on a voluntary basis;
Bahrain is the first GCC country to do so. The card has two
computer chips: the larger has 64K of memory and will contain
one's identification numbers and personal information; the
second has 1K of memory and can be used for public
transportation fares and other minor financial transactions.
One memory slot has been reserved for the banking sector so
that the card may be used for personal banking. Shaikh Ahmed
described electronic gates to be installed at the airport for
passport control purposes. Bahrain has used card
specifications allowing compatibility with systems other GCC
countries may adopt in the future.

MONROE