BAHRAIN: NATO-MIDDLE EAST SECURITY COOPERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001253 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, EUR/RPM E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2016 TAGS: PREL MARR BA REGION ROW SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: NATO-MIDDLE EAST SECURITY COOPERATION CENTER REF: MANAMA 755 Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Acting Pol/Econ Chief met with MFA Director for International Organization Affairs Ghassan Shaikho at Shaikho's request July 9 to discuss the NATO-Middle East Security Cooperation Center (SCC). Shaikho explained that, following recent internal GCC discussion on the topic, he had been tasked to draft a recommendation on Bahrain's participation in the Center, but felt he currently had insufficient information on the proposed project. ¶2. (C) He reviewed the U.S., Italy, Norway Food for Thought Paper (reftel) and opined that there appeared to be little of the prospective SCC curriculum that was not already available from the NATO college. Shaikho expressed support for cooperation initiatives with NATO, noting that Bahrain is a member of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative. "We are eager to cooperate with NATO." ¶3. (C) However, Shaikho said he needed additional information on the merits of the SCC, particularly vis-a-vis the NATO college, to aid him in overcoming his own reservations on the utility on the Center and render a positive recommendation. He said he needed to issue his report soon, but could buy time by drafting a provisional opinion immediately, to be followed by a more fulsome recommendation in coming days. In addition to details on the proposed curriculum, Shaikho requested an update on the SCC's planned location. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE