BAHRAIN IN NO RUSH TO REPLACE WOUNDED CHARGE IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000980

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2015
TAGS: PREL BA IZ
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN IN NO RUSH TO REPLACE WOUNDED CHARGE IN
BAGHDAD

REF: MANAMA 940

Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe. Reason: 1.4 (B)(D)


1. (C) MFA Minister of State Dr. Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar
conceded to the Ambassador July 9 that it may be some time
before Bahrain replaces its Charge d'Affaires in Iraq,
following the July 5 shooting of Hassan Al-Ansari in Baghdad
(reftel). Although Al-Ansari was originally expected to fly
back directly to Manama, he now reportedly will go to Germany
via Jordan for further medical treatment on wounds suffered
in his arm and hand. It is not known when he will return to
Bahrain.


2. (C) When asked about plans to replace Al-Ansari, Abdul
Ghaffar acknowledged that it may be difficult to find a
replacement. He said that the government did not want to
force anyone to go to Baghdad, especially in light of the
attack on Al-Ansari. At the time of the attack, Al-Ansari
was the only Bahrain-based diplomat assigned to the Embassy
(there had been two, Abdul Ghaffar stated, but the second had
declined to stay there). With the departure of Al-Ansari,
all employees are now locally hired, including one long-time
Baghdad resident who is half-Iraqi, half-Bahraini.
MONROE