BAHRAINI OPTIMISM ON FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001882

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV KMPI BA OFFICIALS REGION
SUBJECT: BAHRAINI OPTIMISM ON FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons
1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) During a meeting with the DCM December 19, MFA
Assistant Undersecretary for Coordination and Follow-Up
Shaikh Abdul Aziz Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa expressed optimism
and confidence after returning from the Foundation for the
Future meeting at the Dead Sea in Jordan. He also expressed
satisfaction at the involvement of several non-G8, non-BMENA
countries at the meeting. He said that following the
November Forum for the Future conference in Bahrain, there
was confusion about Bahrain's status as a participant in the
Foundation and ambiguity in the Foundation's direction. The
discussions in Jordan brought clarity to these issues and
instilled confidence that future steps will lead to an
effective organization resulting in funding of civil society
projects.


2. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz relayed Jordan's concern about
Russia's future presidency of the G8 in the context of new
Russian legislation that restricts foreign funding to civil
society groups. When asked about the issue of Bahraini NGOs
accepting Foundation funds, he said that as projects are
proposed by civil society groups and then approved by the
Foundation board, he does not see any obstacles to Bahraini
NGOs accepting Foundation grants. He clarified that the
funding would be earmarked for specific NGO projects and not
be used for NGO operation and administration.

ZIADEH