MINISTER OF JUSTICE DISCUSSES IRAN, POLITICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001157 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV KJUS BA REGION POL SUBJECT: MINISTER OF JUSTICE DISCUSSES IRAN, POLITICAL SOCIETIES WITH AMBASSADOR Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) . -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Meeting with the Ambassador June 26, Minister of Justice Mohamed Al Sitri talked of his recent official visit to Iran under the auspices of a bilateral agreement on judicial and legal affairs. His meeting with President Ahmedinejad focused on legal issues such as Iranian fishermen jailed in Bahrain, but Ahmedinejad also affirmed Iran's right to pursue a nuclear program. Al Sitri said that he was in Tehran when the nuclear incentives package was delivered, and he sensed an Iranian eagerness to negotiate, even though rhetoric meant for domestic audiences has reached heights from which it is not easy to descend. Al Sitri also discussed GOB financial support to political societies in the run-up to elections in the fall. Approximately 300,000 Bahraini Dinars ($800,000) would be distributed to participating societies. The method to distribute the funds is still under consideration. Al Sitri said that "independent" election observers (vice "international" observers) have not been ruled out. End summary. -------------- The Minister's Visit to Iran -------------- ¶2. (C) Minister of Justice Dr. Mohamed Al Sitri, in a meeting with the Ambassador June 26, explained that Bahrain and Iran have an MOU on judicial and legal affairs and under this agreement he makes occasional visits to Iran, the most recent of which was in early June. He likened the agreement to those Bahrain has with India, Egypt, and Morocco to cooperate on legal issues. Bahraini-Iranian bilateral relations have increased and consequently the potential for bilateral legal matters to arise has also increased. He said that his meeting with President Ahmedinejad focused on a group of Iranian fisherman who were arrested for fishing illegally in Bahraini waters and sentenced to six months in prison. Ahmedinejad then turned to the nuclear issue, saying that Iran has the right to pursue a nuclear program and questioning why the international community does not respect this right. Al Sitri said he told Ahmedinejad that he was not qualified to speak officially on this matter, but he did say that this issue does not only affect one country but the whole international community. ¶3. (C) In response to the Ambassador's query about the general mood in Iran over the nuclear impasse, Al Sitri said that in his view, the Iranians seemed eager to resolve the standoff. It is not in their national interest to maintain a stalemate. However, Iranian officials have "gone to the peak" in terms of rhetoric to their own public and therefore cannot be seen to back off abruptly. He was in Iran when the incentives package was presented to the GOI, and officials seemed pleased with the offer. Many Iranian officials are interested in direct talks with the U.S. Al Sitri urged U.S. patience since indications are that Iran is willing to talk to avoid a direct confrontation, even though statements from Iranian officials meant for internal consumption may indicate otherwise. Ahmedinejad is still learning about international affairs and how he should address the international community. Bahrain has always tried to encourage Iran as it moves from being a revolutionary state to a modern state by demonstrating that international relations requires more sensitive ways of communicating. -------------- GOB Funding for Political Societies -------------- ¶4. (C) Al Sitri confirmed that all 15 existing political societies have registered under the July 2005 Political Societies Law, including the four political societies that boycotted the 2002 elections. (Note: The last of these four, the Shi'a Islamic Action Society, which is composed primarily of followers of Ayatollah Shirazi, completed its registration the week of June 17. It is now registered under the name "Amal" (hope). End note.) Al Sitri stated that the GOB will financially support all political societies under a set of procedures and conditions that is still being discussed. The terms will include a commitment to participate in the fall parliamentary elections, and the amount given to each society will likely depend on factors such as membership, size, the number of seats won in the new parliament, and may include an extra incentive based on female candidates elected to the parliament. MANAMA 00001157 002 OF 002 ¶5. (C) Al Sitri said that the Cabinet June 25 set aside 300,000 Bahraini Dinars ($800,000) from the current year's budget for political society funding for this year's election, and more has been earmarked in the proposed 2007-2008 national budget. Al Sitri said that most of the 2006 amount will be distributed among the 15 political societies, but a small amount will be held aside as there are indications that one or two new political societies may decide to register prior to the elections. "We are happy with the process so far, and (political) societies are happy with how the Ministry (of Justice) is handling it." There have been complaints that the funding is insufficient, but according to Al Sitri, the law does not commit the GOB to fully fund political societies; it simply says the GOB will support them. He expects GOB financial support to political societies to increase over time. -------------- Legislation and MOJ's Role in Elections -------------- ¶6. (C) Al Sitri said that the Ministry of Justice is preparing to form committees in support of the fall elections and confirmed that members of the judiciary will observe the elections. When the Ambassador suggested that independent observers lend legitimacy to the process, Al Sitri said that "independent" observers have not been ruled out (vice "international" observers),but there are concerns that King Hamad is considering. The 2002 elections were conducted in an excellent manner and there were no questions about legitimacy. "This time as well there should be no government intervention, and we will strive for fair, free, and just elections." ¶7. (C) Turning to two legislative items of U.S. interest, Al Sitri was measured in his comments on terrorism legislation, saying that Bahrain cannot afford a terror attack on its soil. Terror legislation needs to be preventative, but also should provide protection to the public against unwarranted accusations. He said there have been some concerns from Members of Parliament over how terrorism is defined. Regarding anti-trafficking-in-persons legislation, he said that the draft is still in the hands of the Legal Affairs Directorate of the Cabinet and has not yet been placed on the Cabinet's agenda. It will not likely advance to the parliament this session, but will be sent to the new parliament after elections in the fall. -------------- On Press Coverage -------------- ¶8. (C) Following a comment from the Ambassador about the climate of open expression in the press, Al Sitri praised the changes Bahrain has undergone to become more open and democratic. He stated that there are examples of the press misquoting officials or reporting inaccurate information, and this concerns the government. But overall, the press has a positive effect because it is a mechanism by which GOB officials are held accountable to the public. This accountability forces ministers, other officials, and their ministries to strive to perform more effectively. Al Sitri said that one of the positive aspects of the present constitution is that ministers are personally responsible to the parliament and to the people. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE