Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAMA1146
2006-06-26 13:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

FOREIGN MINISTER AGREES TO NDI VISIT

Tags:  PGOV PREL KMPI KDEM BA BILAT POL REFORM 
pdf how-to read a cable
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ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 261314Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5089
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY
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).

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.

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MONROE