AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES FTA, KORAN DESECRATION,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000779

SIPDIS

COMMERCE FOR ITA/MAC/ONE, CLOUSTAUNAU, AND THOFFMAN
STATE PASS USTR/JBUNTIN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2015
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV ETRD BA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES FTA, KORAN DESECRATION,
DEMOCRATIC REFORM WITH PARLIAMENT CHAIRMAN

Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.

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Summary
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1. (C) Council of Representatives (COR) Chairman Khalifa Al
Dhahrani told the Ambassador May 30 that he did not expect
the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to be ratified by
the COR before the June 15 summer recess (but following the
Ambassador's emphasis of the importance of an early
ratification, called back to say he was working with the
Finance Committee to make early ratification a priority). He
appreciated the USG's public statements against Koran
desecration at Guantanamo, but said that prisoner abuse and
desecration of the Koran, even if committed by only a few
individuals, hurt the U.S.'s reputation in the region.
Dhahrani expressed satisfaction with the role of parliament
in Bahrain's new democratic system and thanked the Ambassador
for USG support for the National Democratic Institute (NDI)
project in Bahrain. End Summary.

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Free Trade Agreement
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2. (C) The Ambassador asked Chairman Dhahrani in their May
30 meeting when he expected the COR to ratify the
U.S.-Bahrain FTA. Dhahrani replied that he did not expect it
to happen before the summer recess commences June 15. He
explained that the Financial and Economic Committee was still
engaged in unusually difficult negotiations on the budget and
had not been able to address the FTA. The committee will
meet during the summer and the FTA will be the first item on
the COR's agenda when the next parliamentary session begins
in September. The Ambassador urged the COR to move forward
with the FTA as soon as possible, noting that Bahraini
businesses will want to take advantage of the agreement
before other countries in the region sign similar agreements
with the U.S. (Note: GOB and USG translators have not yet
completed an official Arabic translation of the FTA, a legal
requirement before the COR can formally address the
agreement. End Note.) Subsequently, Dhahrani's office
called the Ambassador to say that Dhahrani had followed up
with the Finance Committee to make early ratification a
priority.

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Koran Desecration and Prisoner Abuse
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4. (C) The Ambassador raised the Koran disecration issue,
noting Newsweek's retraction, the Secretary's strong
statement that it was against U.S. policy to disrespect any
holy book, and the strict regulations in place on handling of
the Koran at Guantanamo. It should be perfectly clear, the
Ambassador stressed, that desecration of the Koran is
absolutely contrary to U.S. policy. Dhahrani said he
recognized that the USG and the American people respect all
religions, and he thought it was unfair that a few bad people
tarnished the whole country's image. He stated that a
neutral body should investigate the allegations and ensure
that those responsible are punished. (Note: Public protests
in Bahrain have been limited. On May 25, several dozen
University of Bahrain students demonstrated on their campus
against alleged Koran desecration at Guantanamo. On May 27,
150-200 people answered a call for a rally in Muharraq
against the alleged abuses. Editorial commentary has died
down. End Note.)


5. (C) Dhahrani added that what has happened in Guantanamo
and Abu Gharib is contrary to the U.S. goals of democracy and
freedom. Arabs and Muslims feel uneasy about the U.S. when
they see prisoners on TV treated inhumanely, even if it is
just a few individuals who are responsible and it is not an
official policy. Americans would feel the same way if they
saw U.S. citizens treated in such a way by an Arab country.
The Ambassador confirmed that the USG is doing everything it
can to punish abusers and correct mistakes. He said that
when problems arise, people are held accountable.

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Democratic Reform
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6. (C) The Ambassador asked Dhahrani how he thought the
current parliamentary session compared to previous sessions.
Dhahrani said that the COR's demands for greater
accountability and transparency had attracted the
government's attention and was changing the way the
parliament and government interact. He noted that
neighboring countries are watching and waiting to see if the
democratic experiment will work in Bahrain. If it is
successful, other countries will also open up to more reform.
Dhahrani expressed his appreciation for the assistance that
the MEPI-sponsored NDI project is providing to
parliamentarians and political societies.


7. (C) Dhahrani stressed that the Embassy should be balanced
in its work on domestic politics and not just talk to
opposition leaders. This is especially important in Bahrain,
where the Sunni/Shi'a mix makes political issues especially
sensitive. Dhahrani added that U.S. State Department reports
on Bahrain should strive for greater accuracy and that the
USG should not do anything that interferes in the Kingdom's
internal affairs. The Ambassador replied that EmbOffs are
aware of the sensitivity of certain issues and would never
interfere in Bahrain's internal affairs. The Embassy meets
with a diverse group of people from all sides and always
encourages dialogue and participation.
MONROE