BAHRAIN: REACTION TO HAMAS VICTORY

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000137 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2016 TAGS: PREL KPAL KDEM BA OFFICIALS REGION SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: REACTION TO HAMAS VICTORY Classified by DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) The press reported January 29 that King Hamad, Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa, and Crown Prince Shaikh Salman each sent telegrams to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas Political Bureau Chief Khalid Mashaal praising them on the success of the parliamentary elections. They also congratulated Mashaal on Hamas's victory. ¶2. (C) MFA Assistant Under Secretary for Coordination and Follow Up Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa told DCM January 28 that while he could not relate an official GOB position, he commented personally that it was positive that the elections took place in a free and fair manner, even if the results "were not the ones we had hoped for." He continued, however, that Hamas was already using slightly different language than before so "we shouldn't judge a book by its cover." Bahrain continues to promote its themes of a two-state solution, adhering to the roadmap, renouncing terrorism, and achieving a just peace for Palestine. ¶3. (C) Second Deputy Chair of the (elected lower house) Council of Representatives Shaikh Adel Al Moawada, a leader of the Salafi Al Asala parliamentary bloc, told Pol/Econ Chief January 29 that the Palestinian people "chose Islam" in the elections rather than Hamas as an organization or for its political platform. This represents a trend in the region: when people are given a choice between Islam and other options, they "cannot ignore" the Islamic alternative. Hamas was likely surprised to be in the position of leading a government. It would have preferred to be a junior partner in a coalition government or in the opposition, which would have been an easier position. He said Hamas would now have to present a governing program rather than criticize and oppose. ¶4. (U) All of the press commentary in local papers thus far about the elections has come from columnists with pan-Arabist, even Baathist, sympathies. These writers have emphasized the surprise nature of Hamas' victory and the dilemma posed by a Hamas-led government for Israel and the United States. Sayed Zahra of pro-government daily Akhbar Al Khaleej writes that Hamas's victory "revealed to the whole world the falseness and contempt of America" for the will of the Palestinian people. The Arab nation owes the Palestinians for the message they sent out: "glory comes from persistence, resistance, and endurance, no matter how harsh the colonial attack on us." ¶5. (U) Hafez Al Shaikh, from the same paper, says that Hamas will have to "confront the corruption" of America and Israel, saying both are very hostile to Hamas and Islam. Hamas will also have to face and clean up corruption that accumulated over the years, and the gangsters who are ready to ignite a civil war, both references to Fatah. He concludes that Hamas's victory presents a "harsh, historic test" for the group. Abdulla Al Ayoobi, also from Akhbar Al Khaleej, writes that Hamas will face international pressure to change its position on its "struggle" and peace initiatives. The organization will have to transform its perspective from one of opposition to that of political leadership. MONROE