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