BAHRAIN'S REACTION TO ARAB LEAGUE SUMMIT IN ALGIERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000475

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/29/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN'S REACTION TO ARAB LEAGUE SUMMIT IN ALGIERS

REF: A. MANAMA 397


B. STATE 45505

Classified by Pol/Econ Chief Steven C. Bondy for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).


1. (C) MFA Assistant Under Secretary for Coordination and
Follow Up Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa told
PolEcon chief March 28 that the two main topics of the summit
were the Palestinians and Arab League reform. (Note: Shaikh
Abdul Aziz did not attend the summit but received a readout
from Bahraini officials who did. End Note.) He said the
leaders were surprised by Jordan's proposal regarding
normalization of relations with Israel, which some considered
to be a "slap" at Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah's Arab Peace
Initiative adopted at the March 2002 summit in Beirut.
Shaikh Abdul Aziz observed that Jordan revised its proposal
upon receiving input from the other leaders at the summit.
With regard to Arab League reform, Bahrain has very low
expectations.


2. (C) In response to PolEcon chief's question, Shaikh Abdul
Aziz said that King Hamad made Crown Prince Salman head of
the Bahraini delegation because of the decision by several
other regional heads of state not to attend. Bahrain could
"foresee the outcome" of the summit and was not optimistic.
He said more leaders would have gone if the agenda had been
more serious and if the Algerians had lobbied more forcefully.

MONROE