NDI PROMOTES DEMOCRATIZATION THROUGH ACTIVITIES IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000573

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PI, DRL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2015
TAGS: PGOV KDEM BA
SUBJECT: NDI PROMOTES DEMOCRATIZATION THROUGH ACTIVITIES IN
BAHRAIN


Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

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Summary
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1. (C) The MEPI-funded National Democratic Institute (NDI)
is making great strides in bringing MPs, oppositionists, and
civil society activists together to find common ground on
cutting-edge political issues, thereby strengthening the
democratic process and institutions in Bahrain. NDI
organized a "summit" of political societies April 12 intended
to address the most prominent democracy-related issues facing
the country. It teamed with the Bahrain Transparency Society
April 14 to review and seek endorsement of regulations
governing the electoral system. It will host a conference on
April 21 to address interpretations of the article of the
constitution addressing procedures for the advancement of
legislation. NDI is praised by almost all sectors of
Bahraini society, from the King to the most prominent
oppositionists. The sensitive issues NDI is working on will
only increase in prominence as the country approaches
municipal and parliamentary elections in the fall of 2006.
End Summary.


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"Summit" brings political society leaders together
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2. (SBU) MEPI-funded NDI, in the presence of visiting NDI
Senior Associate and Regional Director for the Middle East
and North Africa Les Campbell, organized an April 12
political "summit" to which all 16 political societies in
Bahrain were invited. Eleven societies participated, mostly
those from the opposition. The results of the summit were
modest: participants agreed to form a committee to prepare
an agenda for a follow-on conference focusing on the
"national dialogue," a phrase used to refer to the dispute
over the legitimacy of the 2002 constitution. No joint
statement was issued by participants, but the overall tone of
the summit was positive. It was the largest gathering of
political societies since the 2002 parliamentary elections.

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Common ground on election-related issues
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3. (SBU) The Bahrain Transparency Society and NDI co-hosted
an event April 14 that brought together members of both the
lower Council of Representatives (COR) and upper Shura
Council, and representatives of the major political societies
to discuss Bahrain's electoral system. Participants reviewed
and endorsed most of the recommendations produced by the
national monitoring committee that oversaw the 2002
parliamentary elections. The recommendations included
forming a high commission to monitor the 2006 elections;
allowing candidates to choose their constituencies without
having to reside in the area; repealing the rule that
required voters in 2002 to have their passports stamped at
the voting station; redrawing constituency boundaries to
ensure more proportionate representation; and banning
religious centers and charitable funds from taking a direct
role in campaigns. The recommendations will be forwarded to
the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives.

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A new approach to the constitution
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4. (C) On April 21, NDI will host a conference focusing on
Article 92 of the constitution, which addresses procedures
for the advancement of legislation. Many observers believe
that the government retains the largest share of control over
the legislative process. For example, the COR has the right
to introduce revisions and amendments to draft legislation
produced by the government, but the government can wait up to
two legislative sessions (two years) to respond to the COR's
revisions. In the event that the COR votes against a draft
law and the Shura Council votes in favor, the government can
convene a joint session and subject the legislation to a
straight majority vote involving the 40 COR and 40 Shura
members. In such a case, the law will almost certainly pass
as all Shura Council members are appointed by the government.
NDI's conference will bring together members of the COR and
Shura Council, legal experts, and representatives of most
political societies (including the boycotting societies) to
discuss this issue and how to move forward. NDI country
director Fawzi Guleid told PolOff that the forum will
encourage all sides to "think creatively about how to deal
with the constitutional debate."

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Royal Court supports NDI
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5. (C) In late March, MP Mohammed Khalid from the Al Menbar
(Muslim Brotherhood) bloc complained that NDI was interfering
in Bahrain's domestic affairs and requested that Minister of
State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar investigate
NDI's legal status in the kingdom. Guleid met with Abdul
Ghaffar and representatives of the King's royal court and
received assurances that the GOB fully supports the NDI
presence in Bahrain. Al Menbar President Dr. Salah Ali,
noting that Al Menbar members participate in NDI events, told
EmbOff that he and others in the society disagreed with
Khalid's stance on NDI. MFA Assistant Under Secretary for
Coordination and Follow-Up Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al
Khalifa told PolEcon chief April 13 that the MFA had decided
to serve as the Bahraini institution sponsoring NDI to head
off any further challenges to NDI's legal status in country.
Independent newspaper Al Wasat reported April 14, citing
"credible sources," that the King intended to give an award
to NDI in appreciation for its contributions in support of
reforms in the country.


6. (U) Widely read and respected Al Wasat columnist Abbas
BuSafwan April 16 praised NDI's work in Bahrain. He said
that NDI has included all political factions in its
activities, whether pro-government or oppositionist. He
admires the "different way of thinking" that NDI follows to
discuss the priority national issues, including the debate
over the constitution.

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NDI plays effective role in Bahrain
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7. (C) NDI began working in Bahrain in March 2002 with the
aim of strengthening Bahraini political and civil society
institutions in order for them to play a positive and
meaningful role in Bahrain's new democracy. Since then, NDI
has provided technical assistance to political societies and
has advised parliamentarians on how to work effectively
within the system. It has also made great strides in
bringing MPs and oppositionists together to work on various
issues of concern to Bahrain's people. Guleid, the only NDI
staff member permanently in country, has gained the trust of
political actors from the King's royal court to the most
hardline oppositionists. All active political societies,
with the exception of Al Tajomo' Al Qowmi (Baathi),regularly
participate in NDI events. NDI has a very active schedule of
events, including the three conferences this month.

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Comment
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8. (C) NDI's activities strengthen Bahrain's new democratic
process and institutions by helping prominent Bahraini
actors, including from the government and opposition, address
potentially explosive political issues in a low-key,
technical manner. These issues are at the core of ensuring
the success of Bahrain's still young democratic reform
process -- equal representation in parliament, political
participation by all sectors of society, balancing the powers
of the elected and appointed legislative bodies, among
others. NDI is guiding a process in which Bahrainis from all
sides discuss ways to move forward and create positive
change. With municipal and parliamentary elections set for
2006, the issues NDI is addressing will only increase in
prominence.
MONROE