Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAMA1157
2006-06-28 09:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:
MINISTER OF JUSTICE DISCUSSES IRAN, POLITICAL
how-toVZCZCXRO2828 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK DE RUEHMK #1157/01 1790905 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 280905Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5101 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
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
-------
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
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