FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS PUBLICLY THAT GTMO OBSTACLE

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001205

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARP, S/WCI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2016
TAGS: KAWC PTER PREL BA BILAT CTR
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS PUBLICLY THAT GTMO OBSTACLE
IN BILATERAL RELATIONS

REF: MANAMA 1163

Classified by Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).


1. (U) All newspapers July 5 covered statements by Foreign
Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa at a press
conference in which he called for the release of the three
remaining Bahraini detainees at Guantanamo and characterized
the detention facility as an "obstacle" in bilateral
relations. Speaking at a joint press conference with Shaikha
Haya bint Rashed Al Khalifa to congratulate her on being
elected as president of the upcoming UN General Assembly,
Shaikh Khalid said he had met recently with the Ambassador
(reftel) and "informed him (the Ambassador) that Bahrain
wanted a resolution to the detention without trial" of Isa Al
Murbati, Juma Al Dossary, and Salah Al Balooshi. He added
that he told the Ambassador that leaving the issue unresolved
"worries everyone and muddles U.S. relations with the Arab
countries." He also referred to U.S. and Bahraini officials
holding talks on GTMO in the United States.


2. (SBU) The Minister's comments follow a statement issued
earlier in the week by senior MFA official Saeed Al Faihani
correcting an article in Arabic daily Al Waqt, which claimed
an Embassy source said that the Foreign Minister and
Ambassador did not discuss GTMO in their June 25 meeting.
(Note: The journalist misquoted PAO on the issue. PAO has
spoken with the journalist to ensure she adheres completely
to Embassy statements in the future.) Al Faihani said Shaikh
Khalid had "reiterated the demand to release the three
Bahraini detainees and close the camp." Al Faihani continued
that the Ambassador had delivered a memo on preparations for
the visit of a Bahraini security delegation to GTMO.


3. (C) Comment: Shaikh Khalid's and Al Faihani's public
statements reflect a new government approach to the issue of
Bahraini detainees at Guantanamo. The government, and in
particular Shaikh Khalid, have been widely criticized by
parliamentarians, columnists, and the American attorneys for
the Bahraini detainees for not being strong enough advocates
for the Bahrainis. A higher profile public position may
insulate the government from calls for more aggressive
responses. In a July 4 meeting, the newly appointed DCM for
the Bahraini Embassy in Washington told Emboffs that Shaikh
Khalid had identified GTMO as one of the DCM's top three
policy issues to focus on immediately upon his arrival in the
U.S.


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