FOREIGN MINISTER REQUESTS GUIDANCE ON U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000821

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARPI, IO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/08/2015
TAGS: KUNR PREL BA UNSC UNGA
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER REQUESTS GUIDANCE ON U.S.
POSITION ON UNSC REFORM

REF: A. MANAMA 811 (NOTAL)

B. MANAMA 810

C. MANAMA 727 (NOTAL)

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


1. (U) This is an action request; please see para 5.


2. (C) During a June 7 meeting covering a number of issues
(Refs A, B),Foreign Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al
Khalifa told the Ambassador that Bahrain wanted to work with
the U.S. on UN Security Council reform. The Group of Four
(Japan, Germany, India, Brazil) had submitted a proposal, and
Shaikh Mohammed was looking for some indication of the U.S.'
thinking. He indicated that the Ambassadors from the four
countries had asked for Bahrain's vote, but he would not
develop a firm position until hearing from the U.S.


3. (C) MFA Director for International Organization Affairs
Ghassan Shaikho told Pol/Econ chief June 8 that U.S. support
for Japan's UNSC bid was clear, but its position on the
candidacies of the other three countries was not. Per Ref C,
Shaikho said that Bahrain supported an efficient, democratic
Security Council, but had not committed to supporting any of
the four countries thus far.


4. (C) Shaikho noted that the Group of Four was moving very
quickly, requesting a vote in the General Assembly before the
end of June and seeking resolution of the issue before the
September 14 High Level Meeting. Representatives of the
Group had been "very forceful" in requesting Bahrain's
support.


5. (U) Action Request: Post requests Washington guidance on
responding to Bahrain's questions about the U.S. position on
UN Security Council reform.

MONROE