FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS BRUSSELS CONFERENCE A

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000918

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/28/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER BA IZ IR
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS BRUSSELS CONFERENCE A
SUCCESS, "BAD RESULT" IN IRAN ELECTION


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


1. (C) The Ambassador called on Foreign Minister Shaikh
Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa June 27 and discussed with
him, among other subjects, the U.S.-EU International
Conference on Iraq in Brussels, the Iranian presidential
election, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' June 14 visit
to Bahrain, and counter-terrorism. Shaikh Mohammed termed
the Brussels conference a success, saying it demonstrated for
the Iraqi people that the world cares about them. He
complimented the Iraqis who participated, commenting that the
speeches of the Prime Minister, National Assembly Chairman,
and Foreign Minister showed that they are articulate,
educated intellectuals. He said now the Iraqis should focus
on strengthening the reconstruction program in parallel with
fighting the insurgency. The first point is to meet the
citizens' basic needs, but a secondary impact would be to
show Iraqis the benefits of stability. He said 14 of Iraq's
18 provinces were relatively secure. Significant strides in
reconstruction in these areas could have a beneficial effect
on the rest of the country.


2. (C) Shaikh Mohammed called Ahmadi-Nejad's election as
president of Iran a "bad result." He said that French
President Chirac, during his recent meeting with Crown Prince
Salman in Paris, referred to the Iranian presidential
candidates as "horses following each other around a ring,"
and said there was no difference between them. Shaikh
Mohammed said Supreme Leader Khamenei is in full control of
the Iranian government and Ahmadi-Nejad would only be
"Khamenei's secretary." He noted that the King, Crown
Prince, and Prime Minister had all sent Ahmadi-Nejad cables
of congratulations, but told the Ambassador that Bahrain
would be watching him carefully. Shaikh Mohammed was
concerned Ahmadi-Nejad would heighten tensions in the Gulf
region, dismiss concerns over Iran's nuclear program, and
defy the West.


3. (C) Referring to President Abbas' visit, Shaikh Mohammed
said peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians
must move ahead. Abbas is being very straightforward, saying
the same things publicly and privately. Israeli PM Sharon
should find ways to support him. Shaikh Mohammed said the
Israeli Supreme Court ruling that the Gaza withdrawal is
constitutional could serve as a legal basis for further
progress.


4. (C) The Ambassador said that the USG continued to follow
closely the legal case of the Bahraini terrorism suspects and
was counting on the GOB to send the right message on
terrorism. Shaikh Mohammed said he understood our position,
but asked why the USG had not reacted publicly to the Omani
Sultan's decision to pardon the Ibadhis. The Ambassador,
noting that Shaikh Mohammed was the third Bahraini minister
to raise the case with him (the others being Minister of
State for Foreign Affairs/Information Minister Mohammed Abdul
Ghaffar and Minister of Interior Shaikh Rashid),responded
that Bahraini officials should not forget that the Ibadhis
were convicted before being pardoned. They were charged with
belonging to a secret organization and seeking to overthrow
the state, but they were not accused of planning attacks or
having connections to known terrorists outside Oman. The
Ambassador stated that the case is very different from that
against the Bahraini cell and the GOB should not read
anything into the lack of a public USG reaction to the pardon.

MONROE