AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH INTERIOR MINISTER SHAIKH

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000223

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, NEA/ARPI, S/CT
NSC FOR NIC RAMCHAND
FBI FOR WILLIE HULON
RIYADH FOR LEGATS FRED BRINK AND MARTIN REARDON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2015
TAGS: ASEC BA PGOV PTER
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH INTERIOR MINISTER SHAIKH
RASHID AND VIEWS ON REGIONAL TERRORISM

Classified By: AMBASSADOR WILLIAM T. MONROE FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d)

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SUMMARY
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1. (S) Ambassador Monroe's meeting with Interior Minister
Shaikh Rashid Bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa highlighted the GOB's
determination to establish a CT Operations Center (CTOC) in
Bahrain and use it as a model for other GCC countries.
Shaikh Rashid asked for the intended FBI team to visit
Bahrain March 19-23 and to provide direction on establishing
the CTOC. The Minister stressed that Kuwait's recent
terrorism events underscored the need for regional
cooperation and information sharing throughout the GCC and
with allies. The Ambassador discussed closer ties between
the US and Bahrain intelligence/security organizations to
monitor the Bahrain 6 and other extremists. Major General
Al-Zayani stated he met with Fran Townsend on margins of the
Regional CT Conference in Riyadh February 5-8, 2005 to
discuss steps Bahrain is taking to increase their CT
capabilities. Bahrain offered to house a GCC CT
intelligence/operation center in Manama. END SUMMARY

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CT OPERATIONS CENTER
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2. (S) Shaikh Rashid is determined to establish a CT
Operations Center in Bahrain using the FBI's Joint Terrorism
Task Force model. The Minister asked for the FBI team to
visit Manama March 19 - 23 to make presentations to senior
government officials. Bahrain envisioned that the CTOC could
be a standard for other GCC countries to implement and then
coordinate CT investigations and intelligence. (NOTE: The
Minister also sent a letter to the Ambassador describing his
disappointment with the FBI team canceling their previous
arrival dates and requested that the CTOC program be
rescheduled at the first opportunity. LEGAT Riyadh and FBI
HQ are now coordinating the FBI team's visit for March 19-23,
2005.)

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KUWAIT
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3. (S/NF) Ambassador inquired about the Minister's quick trip
to Kuwait following recent checks with extremists there.
Shaikh Rashid said that he traveled to Kuwait to show
commitment to friends, explore any possible links back to
Bahrain, and offer help with terrorism issues. He stated
that Kuwait acted better than people expected and is dealing
forcefully with terrorism issues. The public and press in
Kuwaiti have shown strong support for the Government's
aggressive tactics to confront extremism. The Kuwaiti
Security Service identified information from a safehouse raid
that a Bahraini citizen had been in telephone contact with
the terrorists. The phone number is being monitored by NSA
and has been shared with RMAS. The Kuwaitis have learned,
through trial and error, more about the terrorists, and have
employed better tactics and operational planning. Their
first assault was not planned well and proved costly.

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THE BAHRAIN 6
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4. (S/NF) The Ambassador noted cooperation between the US and
Bahrain is critical in dealing with the six Bahrain extremits
first apprehended last summer. He noted that there is a
known threat from the Bahrain 6, but that we must also worry
about threats we don't know. We know the Bahrain 6 have been
active since their release, but do not have clarity on what
they are up to. Continued NSA monitoring and information
sharing with RMAS is critical to ensure the 6 do not become a
greater threat. He noted that the press often reports
statements by the lawyers of the accused, but not any
statements by the government, which can leave an imbalanced
impression. The Minister commented that no blood yet has
been spilled in Bahrain; as a result the public and media
have not reacted against the Bahrain 6. Shaikh Rashid
promised close cooperation with RMAS and RSO regarding
activities of the Bahrain 6. Bi-weekly meetings were
proposed by Shaikh Rashid and Major General Al-Zayani to
include the Ministry of Interior, the Bahrain National
Security Agency, RMAS and RSO to coordinate security,
operations and provide an intelligence estimate.

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RIYADH CT MEETING
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5. (S) Major General Abdul Latif Al-Zayani attended the the
CT Conference February 5 - 8, 2005 in Riyadh as head of the
Bahraini delegation. He stated that his meeting with Fran
Townsend, the President's advisor for Homeland Security, was
very productive. Establishment of the CTOC in Bahrain will
be a significant event for the country and region. The
General added that Bahrain offered to house a GCC regional
CTOC in Bahrain. A copy of the proposal will be given to the
Ambassador and RSO for review. Bahrain supported that Saudi
proposal for a regional CT center, but followed it should
begin at the sub regional level, such as the GCC.


MONROE