Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAMA1354
2006-07-26 09:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:
BAHRAIN: P5+1 INCENTIVE PACKAGE FOR IRAN
how-toVZCZCXRO1434 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK DE RUEHMK #1354 2070942 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 260942Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5303 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 MANAMA 001354
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2016
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL BA IR EU AORC REGION OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: P5+1 INCENTIVE PACKAGE FOR IRAN
REF: STATE 119436
Classified By: CDA Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001354
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2016
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL BA IR EU AORC REGION OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: P5+1 INCENTIVE PACKAGE FOR IRAN
REF: STATE 119436
Classified By: CDA Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) PolOff July 24 delivered reftel demarche on the Iran
P5 1 incentive package to MFA Director for Bilateral Affairs
Dr. Dhafer Al Umran. Al Umran's initial reaction was that
the package is quite extensive and includes many concrete
benefits for Iran. He then asked about the inclusion of
political incentives because it is likely that the political
arena is of high interest to Iran. "Iran needs a win-win
solution," referring to economic and political incentives,
"rather than win-lose," loss referring to what he termed
"insufficient incentives on the political side." He said he
would review the points with the FM, currently out of Bahrain
on personal leave, in preparation for the next time the FM
meets with Iranian officials. He also said he would pass any
information they receive from the Iranians to us.
2. (C) Al Umran said that Iran values its importance in the
region, and if it sees itself as not being given a role, this
may affect Iran's acceptance of the incentives package. Iran
has already been cooperating with Russia and China regarding
oil, and Iran is looking to extend that cooperation to other
countries. He said that from his view, the package is
missing a strategic role for Iran in the region. Other
influential countries in the region, such as Saudi Arabia,
Turkey, and Iraq, as it rebuilds, have roles, so Iran may be
keen on receiving a place at the table. If the package lacks
this kind of incentive, Iran may be slow to accept the deal.
3. (C) Regarding the pursuit of UNSC action, Al Umran
described Iran as having a "hot-tempered culture" whose
leaders "create fire" to build support from the people. They
feel they have God to protect them and therefore, are not
afraid of UNSC action. A more successful approach with
Iranian officials is to appeal to their intellect and build
up their ego by showing that Iran is important. Al Umran
said that Bahrain has benefited from this kind of approach,
keeping the window of dialogue with Iran open. He then drew
a parallel to engagement with Israel, saying that some Arab
countries completely reject any contact with Israel. But
this is a mistake, he added, because it cuts off all
opportunities for cooperation on matters that may be of
mutual benefit.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
ZIADEH
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2016
TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL BA IR EU AORC REGION OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: P5+1 INCENTIVE PACKAGE FOR IRAN
REF: STATE 119436
Classified By: CDA Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) PolOff July 24 delivered reftel demarche on the Iran
P5 1 incentive package to MFA Director for Bilateral Affairs
Dr. Dhafer Al Umran. Al Umran's initial reaction was that
the package is quite extensive and includes many concrete
benefits for Iran. He then asked about the inclusion of
political incentives because it is likely that the political
arena is of high interest to Iran. "Iran needs a win-win
solution," referring to economic and political incentives,
"rather than win-lose," loss referring to what he termed
"insufficient incentives on the political side." He said he
would review the points with the FM, currently out of Bahrain
on personal leave, in preparation for the next time the FM
meets with Iranian officials. He also said he would pass any
information they receive from the Iranians to us.
2. (C) Al Umran said that Iran values its importance in the
region, and if it sees itself as not being given a role, this
may affect Iran's acceptance of the incentives package. Iran
has already been cooperating with Russia and China regarding
oil, and Iran is looking to extend that cooperation to other
countries. He said that from his view, the package is
missing a strategic role for Iran in the region. Other
influential countries in the region, such as Saudi Arabia,
Turkey, and Iraq, as it rebuilds, have roles, so Iran may be
keen on receiving a place at the table. If the package lacks
this kind of incentive, Iran may be slow to accept the deal.
3. (C) Regarding the pursuit of UNSC action, Al Umran
described Iran as having a "hot-tempered culture" whose
leaders "create fire" to build support from the people. They
feel they have God to protect them and therefore, are not
afraid of UNSC action. A more successful approach with
Iranian officials is to appeal to their intellect and build
up their ego by showing that Iran is important. Al Umran
said that Bahrain has benefited from this kind of approach,
keeping the window of dialogue with Iran open. He then drew
a parallel to engagement with Israel, saying that some Arab
countries completely reject any contact with Israel. But
this is a mistake, he added, because it cuts off all
opportunities for cooperation on matters that may be of
mutual benefit.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
ZIADEH