BAHRAIN: DISSUADING IRAN FROM INTERFERING IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000394 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/I E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV BA IR IZ SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: DISSUADING IRAN FROM INTERFERING IN IRAQI POLITICS REF: STATE 41957 Classified by DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) The Ambassador March 15 delivered reftel demarche concerning Iranian interference in Iraqi affairs to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs/Information Minister Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar. Abdul Ghaffar took note of the demarche but had to depart the meeting before he had a chance to respond. ¶2. (C) The DCM March 16 delivered demarche to MFA Assistant Under Secretary for Coordination and Follow Up Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa. Shaikh Abdul Aziz noted that Iraqi negotiations to form a government were still ongoing even as the Iraqi parliament was making its official opening. He wondered if the USG could share any additional information on how the Iranians were meddling in the selection of Iraqi government officials. He noted that Foreign Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa had previously cautioned the Iranians from interfering in domestic affairs in Iraq. The ForMin had also spoken publicly in support of Iraq's elections and would continue to speak out in support of a new government. MONROE