NDI MOVE TO REGULARIZE ITS STATUS PROVOKES PRESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000117 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA, NEA/ARPI, NEA/PI E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2016 TAGS: PREL KDEM KMPI PGOV KPAO BA POL REFORM SUBJECT: NDI MOVE TO REGULARIZE ITS STATUS PROVOKES PRESS COMMENTARY REF: MANAMA 0092 Classified by Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) The MEPI-funded National Democratic Institute (NDI) project's efforts to negotiate with the Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD) to regularize its status in Bahrain have prompted considerable coverage in the local press. While all papers have featured mostly factual reporting on developments, the columnists and editorialists of semi-independent Al Ayam and independent Al Wasat have been very supportive of NDI while those of the newly-established Al Watan have been critical of the project. Following a period of uncertainty and a demand by the GOB to halt it activities, NDI is now engaged in serious discussions with BIPD to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regularizing its status in Bahrain. Those criticizing NDI may be fearful that Shia opposition society Al Wifaq, which has avidly participated in and benefited from NDI training and programming, could be on the verge of abandoning its boycott of the political system and may decide to participate in the 2006 parliamentary elections. End Summary. -------------- Serious Contact Between NDI and BIPD -------------- ¶2. (C) NDI project manager Fawzi Guleid told EmbOff January 25 that he met unofficially with BIPD board chair Lulwa Al Awadhi January 22 to discuss finalizing an MOU between the two organizations. NDI's bottom line is that it must have the freedom to interact directly with political and civil society leaders from across the spectrum, whereas BIPD had insisted that NDI work only with it. NDI's lawyer has discussed these issues with Al Awadhi and will meet with her shortly to negotiate the MOU language. The lawyer will also ask that the GOB lift its order that NDI halt its activities while the MOU is under discussion. Guleid commented that his engagement with Al Awadhi has been much more serious and cordial since the Ambassador's meeting with Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa January 21 (reftel). -------------- Al Ayam, Al Wasat Defend NDI -------------- ¶3. (U) Al Ayam's Jassim Ashoor wonders why, amid the statements and counter statements about NDI, the political societies that benefit most from NDI activities are so silent. He adds: "it is obvious that there are some parties that do not desire NDI's presence in Bahrain. But what is really difficult to understand is the silence of the political societies, whether opposition or pro-government, Sunni or Shia. It seems that some societies are concerned that they would be tagged as agents to foreign powers if they defended NDI... However, it is the societies' duty to defend NDI, which has provided so many services to them and defended their rights." ¶4. (U) Esmat Al Mousawi of Al Ayam says that she has attended numerous workshops organized and conducted by NDI in Bahrain. She asserts that the knowledge and experience she has gained in these workshops is equivalent to the long years she spent studying political science and economy. She adds: "NDI provides us with the principles of political participation, which we have been deprived of in this part of the world. Those who are suspicious about the role of NDI and its agenda have realized its danger because NDI programming benefited and served the opposition, and eventually assisted in improving its performance." ¶5. (U) Al Wasat Editor-in-Chief Mansour Al Jamri highlights the achievements of NDI and the integral role it has played in invigorating political life and bringing together opposition and pro-government figures. He recounts the obstacles NDI has faced since the establishment of BIPD, adding: "the escalating language used against NDI reminds us of what the Ibn Khaldoun Center was subject to in Egypt. It is inappropriate for Bahrain to treat an institute like NDI, which has provided so many services to the various factions, in the way it has recently. If BIPD wants to see NDI out of Bahrain, why not issue a statement explaining the reasons frankly and transparently. It is the fear that NDI would activate principles and concepts that some want to keep only for show and propaganda that makes them want NDI to leave." -------------- Ad Hominem Attacks by Al Watan -------------- ¶6. (U) In an unsigned article in Al Watan, the author writes that political figures in Bahrain expressed their resentment regarding the activities of NDI in Bahrain, which have been conducted for more than four years amid ambiguity concerning the organization's objectives and political agenda. A political society leader pointed out that NDI's affiliation with the Democratic party is one of the reasons why his society refused to deal with the institute. Mohammed Al Maran, board director of the Bahrain First society (a nationalist Sunni group),criticized NGOs and the government for allowing NDI to work in Bahrain because it is "a Zionist/American organization that is serving the Zionist goals." ¶7. (U) Jamal Al Aseeri comments in Al Watan on NDI activities in Bahrain, saying that the American organization has been "challenging our laws and defying our regime." He addresses the NDI office saying, "We respect you because you are a guest in Bahrain, but when you disrespect the law and the regime and insist on carrying out your activities even if they have no legal status, then that is something we cannot accept. The Government asked you to wait until your legal status is corrected. Nonetheless, you insisted on working outside the law. You disrespect the Bahraini people when you expect them to allow you to wander in the country and give out money to whomever you wish and deprive whomever you wish. If you are willing to respect the regime and the law, then you are welcome, but if you are here to defy us, then shut down your office and leave." -------------- Comment -------------- ¶8. (C) One of the unstated themes of Al Watan's coverage is that NDI's programming has disproportionately built the capacity of Shia opposition society Al Wifaq to the detriment of other rival political societies or even the government. In fact, NDI has welcomed the participation of all political and civil society leaders and organizations that are willing to attend its seminars. NDI has had an impact across the political spectrum in improving the professionalism and expertise of political actors. Al Watan may be expressing a fear felt by those opposed to reform in Bahrain: that after four years of sitting on the sidelines, Al Wifaq may be on the verge of participating in and pursuing its community's interests within the political system rather than through protests, petitions, and appeals for outside intervention. MONROE