Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAMA1476
2006-08-09 13:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

TFLE01: PARLIAMENTARIANS URGE U.S. INTERVENTION

Tags:  PREL PGOV BA LE IS REGION POL BILAT 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0041
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMK #1476/01 2211326
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 091326Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5417
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001476 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV BA LE IS REGION POL BILAT
SUBJECT: TFLE01: PARLIAMENTARIANS URGE U.S. INTERVENTION
TO STOP CONFLICT IN LEBANON

Classified By: CDA Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

-------
Summary
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C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001476

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV BA LE IS REGION POL BILAT
SUBJECT: TFLE01: PARLIAMENTARIANS URGE U.S. INTERVENTION
TO STOP CONFLICT IN LEBANON

Classified By: CDA Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) A four-member delegation representing the ad hoc
parliamentary Committee to Support the People of Lebanon and
Palestine called on the Charge August 6 to urge the United
States to become more active in halting the conflict in
Lebanon and to stop Israel from attacking civilians.
Delegation leader Abdul Hadi Marhoon said a ceasefire would
calm the situation and assist in finding a more permanent
solution. Other delegation members said Israel's actions
could indirectly encourage extremism and terrorism in the
region and negatively impact the U.S.-Bahrain relationship.
They also indicated that some people are complaining about
the recently implemented U.S.-Bahrain free trade agreement
because of their unhappiness with U.S. policy in the region.
The Charge emphasized that the United States was active in
working for a solution that implemented a durable ceasefire,
no return to the status quo ante, and expansion of Lebanese
government authority throughout the country. End Summary.

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Stop the Fighting Now
--------------


2. (C) A delegation composed of Council of Representatives
(COR) First Deputy Chair Abdul Hadi Marhoon and MPs Yusuf
Zeinal, Abdul Nabi Salman, and Isa Abul Fatah called on the
Charge August 6 to urge the U.S. to take a more active role
in halting the conflict in Lebanon, in particular to stop
Israel from attacking civilians. Saying the delegation
represented the COR ad hoc Committee to Support the People of
Lebanon and Palestine, Marhoon said parliamentarians are most
concerned about innocent people being killed in Lebanon and
Palestine. An early ceasefire would protect civilians and
expedite finding a more permanent solution to the conflict.
Marhoon cited the Palestinian situation as the root problem
in the region, and asked rhetorically how Arabs can coexist
with Israel while there is no solution to the Palestinian
issue.


3. (C) Zeinal said that the Bahraini people come daily to

members of parliament to vent their anger and frustration
with the conflict. They complain that parliamentarians
should be more vocal in expressing the views of the people.
Zeinal stated that the delegation members clearly recognize
the strategic relationship between the United States and
Israel, but the U.S. should intervene because "what's
happening is against international law and Western morals."
He asked why the United States does not stop Israel from
targeting civilians. By not reining in Israel or pursuing
serious peace initiatives, the U.S. is indirectly encouraging
extremism and possibly terrorism in the region.


4. (C) Salman said that people view the U.S. as "the number
one" supporter for Israel because it is sending bombs that
Israel uses in Lebanon. "The U.S. is part of the war," he
said. Building a new Middle East should not be at the
expense of innocent people. Bahrainis feel that the United
States is a good friend, but if the conflicts continue in
Gaza and Lebanon, "we can't be as good friends with the U.S."
as is currently the case.

--------------
U.S. Working Toward a Durable Ceasefire
--------------


5. (C) The Charge replied that the U.S. and Bahrain have
historically strong relations that have endured over time and
will continue. Regarding the current conflict, the U.S.
opposes and condemns the loss of innocent life on all sides.
She noted that the Secretary and senior U.S. officials were
working closely with UN Security Council members and parties
in the region to find a solution that would result in a
lasting ceasefire and prevent a return to the status quo ante
situation. A key factor is for the Lebanese government to
expand its authority to all areas of the country, including
the south. Salman responded that any durable ceasefire would
require Israel to withdraw from Shebaa Farms. He suggested
that the international community use the Lebanese
government's seven-point plan, to which Hizballah has agreed,
as the basis for a solution.

--------------
FTA Target of Some Complaints
--------------


6. (C) Turning to the impact of the conflict on the
bilateral relationship, Marhoon said that Bahrainis "don't
want to talk about the (recently implemented U.S.-Bahrain)
FTA while Arabs are bleeding." Abul Fatah stated that at his
private majles, he hears people say "the FTA can go to hell."
Zeinal noted that some people wonder if the FTA is part of a
conspiracy for Bahrain to normalize relations with Israel.
(Note: Although we have heard some people complain about the
FTA because of U.S. policy in the region, on the commercial
side, by contrast, business people are eager to benefit from
the agreement now that it has been implemented.)


7. (SBU) Separately, the Bahrain On-Line chatroom August 8
posted a letter from Marhoon to Hizballah Secretary General
Nasrallah expressing his solidarity with Hizballah and
congratulating the organization for its position in the face
of Israeli aggression.

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Comment
--------------


8. (C) The ad hoc committee representatives have visited
several G-8 embassies to make the case for a more robust
Western response to the Lebanon conflict. As Zeinal said,
the group is certainly reflecting the anger of its
constituents. But the press releases following each of the
committee's meetings indicate another objective important to
committee members: burnishing their Arab solidarity and
foreign affairs credentials in the run-up to the fall
parliamentary elections.


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