AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH NEW MINISTER OF JUSTICE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000222

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2015
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PTER PREL ASEC BA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH NEW MINISTER OF JUSTICE

REF: MANAMA 68

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

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Summary
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1. (C) In an introductory meeting with the new Minister of
Justice, Dr. Mohammed Ali Al Sitry February 8, the Ambassador
discussed the counterterrorism challenges in the region and
stressed the importance of aggressively prosecuting the four
terrorist suspects currently on trial in Bahrain. The
Minister, noting the recent terrorist activity in Kuwait and
Saudi Arabia, agreed that preventing terrorist acts in
Bahrain is extremely important. Turning to USG-sponsored
judicial reform programs, the Minister pledged his commitment
to continued positive change and modernization in the
Ministry. On the Iraqi elections, Al Sitry -- himself a
Shi'a -- said that many Bahraini Shi'a look to Iraq more than
Iran as an example because it is an Arab state. End Summary.

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USG-Funded Judicial Reform Programs in Bahrain
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2. (C) The Ambassador congratulated Al Sitry on his new
position and briefed him on the status of USG-funded judicial
reform programs in Bahrain. (Note: Before the King's cabinet
reshuffle on February 1, Al Sitry was the Minister of
Municipalities and Agricultural Affairs (reftel). End Note.)
The American Bar Association (ABA) is currently helping to
establish an alternative dispute resolution system and a
continuing education program for judges and prosecutors. The
ABA is also interviewing candidates for a program implementer
who will work directly in the Ministry's offices. Al Sitry
said that he is actively involved in the selection process.
The Ambassador mentioned that the MEPI-funded Commercial Law
Development Program (CLDP) will host a conference in Bahrain
at the end of March focusing on financial and commercial law.
The Ambassador added that John Attanasio, the Dean of Law at
the Southern Methodist University, was exploring the
possibility of inviting Bahrainis to a second Rule of Law
Forum as a follow-on to the September 2004 Forum. The
Minister expressed openness to that idea and emphasized the
Ministry's appreciation for the USG's support of its reform
efforts. He said the Ministry would take advantage of every
opportunity to implement positive change.

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Combating terrorism
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3. (C) The Ambassador stressed that the four terrorist
suspects whose trial is currently suspended pending a
constitutional challenge are of great concern. The USG was
very surprised when one of the suspects and his brother --
who were imprisoned on separate charges -- were released in
January after a judge modified their sentences to time
served. The Ambassador said he hoped the government would be
aggressive in its prosecution of the suspects. The Minister
assured the Ambassador that the GOB is very concerned about
the terrorist suspects and terrorism in general. He
mentioned the terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
and pointed out, "Who knows if they will come to Bahrain?"
He noted that terrorism is not just an action, but also a
mindset; the GOB must fight terrorism through educational,
political, and economic reform. He said that on February 7
the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs discussed a draft
anti-terrorism and conspiracy law and would send a report to
the Cabinet soon. Al Sitry thought the law would be before
Parliament in a month or two.

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Iran, Iraq, and Israel/Palestine
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4. (C) The Minister asked the Ambassador about the
situations in Iraq, Iran, and Israel/Palestine. The
Ambassador said the Iraqi elections were a very positive
step. Al Sitry stated that Iraq's Sunnis should participate
in the constitutional process. He added that many Bahraini
Shi'a look to Iraq more than Iran as an example because it is
an Arab state. He hoped that Iraq would set a positive
precedent for democracy in the region, but he worried that a
continuously unstable Iraq would set a negative example. On
Iran, the Minister said the average person in the region
believes that the more the U.S. threatens Iran, the more
hostile its response will be. He noted that even though the
GOB had problems with Iran, relations are stable and
friendly. The Minister supported the existence of Israel,
but stressed that the U.S. must use its influence to pressure
the Israelis at the negotiating table. Otherwise, both sides
would end up back at square one.
MONROE