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