FOREIGN MINISTER AGREES TO NDI VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001146 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL KMPI KDEM BA BILAT POL REFORM OFFICIALS SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER AGREES TO NDI VISIT Classified by Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In a June 25 meeting covering several subjects (septels),the Ambassador told Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa that he had been in contact with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) about sending a representative to Bahrain to resume talks on NDI programming in country. Noting that the Minister had told Deputy National Security Advisor Abrams during a recent phone conversation that he would welcome a visit, the Ambassador said that NDI Regional Director Les Campbell had proposed to visit Bahrain the week of July 8. Shaikh Khalid welcomed the visit but noted that the Iranian government intended to hold an Iraq Neighbors Conference meeting in Tehran on July 8 (septel). He said that even if the conference were held at that time, he would be back in Bahrain the following day and available for a meeting. "I look forward to seeing Les," he said. ¶2. (C) Shaikh Khalid said he wants to hear Les' views on a plan for moving ahead. "Since we're all keen to work together, let's have a frank discussion and see where we can go," he stated. Shaikh Khalid agreed that Campbell should also see Minister of the Royal Court Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD) Secretary General Lulwa Al Awadhi, and suggested he also meet with Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa. The ForMin said he would speak to the Royal Court Minister before Campbell's arrival to "see how to make the visit successful." The Ambassador indicated that he had been in direct contact with Campbell and that NDI is willing to be flexible, but it would need to be able to work with entities in Bahrain in addition to the BIPD, and pay program expenses without being accused of funding political organizations in Bahrain. ¶3. (C) The Ambassador further stated that NDI's status in Bahrain has become a relationship issue. We view NDI as a barometer for how things are going and an unfavorable outcome could put a cloud over the relationship. Shaikh Khalid replied that he wanted to meet with Campbell, noting that he had never done so before. This would be his first deep involvement with NDI. Bahrain has the will and "hopefully there will be a positive outcome." Part of the GOB's worry, he said, is not NDI itself, but rather that organizations from other countries, in particular those in the region (read: Iran),may want to follow NDI's example and establish themselves in Bahrain. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE