Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAMA1574
2006-08-27 08:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:
PRIME MINISTER STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF VISIBILITY
how-toVZCZCXRO2094 OO RUEHDE DE RUEHMK #1574/01 2390814 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 270814Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5513 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001574
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD EINV BA REGION BILAT POL
OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF VISIBILITY
OF BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
-------
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001574
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD EINV BA REGION BILAT POL
OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF VISIBILITY
OF BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Bahrain would like to host more high-level American
visitors in Bahrain, Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa told the
Ambassador in their August 26 meeting. "For us to be seen
seeing each other is a very useful deterrent," he said, and
helps protect Bahrain's security, stability, and development.
He welcomed the August 1 implementation of the U.S.-Bahrain
free trade agreement and news that several American companies
would boost their presence in the Bahraini economy, including
Microsoft. The PM worried that Iran was meddling in Bahrain
through its relationship with Shia clergy, and warned that
Iran might abuse Bahrain's democracy and openness to harm the
country. End Summary.
--------------
Visible Signs of Strength of Relationship
--------------
2. (C) In an August 26 meeting, Prime Minister Shaikh
Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa told the Ambassador that it was
important to demonstrate visibly the strength of the
U.S.-Bahrain bilateral relationship. He was pleased that the
free trade agreement had entered into force and hoped to see
the Bahraini economy develop further as a result. "We must
devote our energies to keeping it (the agreement) moving," he
said. Deputy PM Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, who
also attended the meeting, mentioned that Microsoft had
announced it would move its regional headquarters from Turkey
to Bahrain, and the Ambassador said that he had word that
several other American companies were newly interested in
investing in or trading with Bahrain.
3. (C) The PM said countries of the region value highly
their relationship with the U.S. "We are not shy about
stretching our hand to you," he stated. Bahrain's friendship
with the United States is deep, deeper than that of the other
Gulf States, "and we don't want anyone to doubt it."
Recalling earlier trips by senior American officers, the PM
said he would like Secretary Rice and other Cabinet officials
to visit Bahrain. Shaikh Khalifa stated, "When officials
visit only one or two countries in the region, people ask,
'Why not us?'" Visible American support is good for
Bahrain's security, stability, and development, he asserted.
"For us to been seen seeing each other is a very useful
deterrent." Deputy PM Shaikh Mohammed noted that the Crown
Prince planned to visit Washington in September, and the
Minister of Education had been invited to attend the First
Lady's conference on global literacy.
-------------- --
Concern About Iran's Role in Bahrain and Region
-------------- --
4. (C) Turning to a familiar topic, the PM expressed his
unhappiness with Iranian intervention in Bahrain through Shia
clergy. Bahrain is a "stronghold" for Iran in the region.
The Iranian regional role is growing, consistent with
Tehran's long-held policy of expansion. "When I see their
actions, their assurances don't make me feel any better."
With Iran, issues do not necessarily go away, even if they
are old and have not been raised in a long time. A dispute
with Iran "is like a scab - scratch it and it will bleed."
The PM said that U.S.-Bahrain cooperation and unity has not
reduced Bahrain's fears of Iran effecting the stability of
the region.
5. (C) The PM said he could understand if Iran was busy with
economic development, but he cannot understand it being busy
with weapons development. Why is it developing weapons?
With which neighbors does it have a dispute? These are big
questions, he stated. Bahrain is a small country and wants
to feel secure. The United States helps Bahrain protect what
it has achieved. He expressed his concern that Iran could
abuse Bahrain's democracy to harm the country. Should we
open all our doors and invite people in, he asked. The PM
said he supports an active parliament, but warned that some
deputies have hidden agendas and exploit their positions to
question ministers about their ministries' activities. The
Ambassador responded that the United States shares his
concerns about Iran's nuclear program and its meddling in
Lebanon and Iraq.
--------------
MANAMA 00001574 002 OF 002
Comment
--------------
6. (C) Shaikh Khalifa likes to meet with the Ambassador
periodically to send a message domestically that he is
personally engaged with the USG. But he made it clear that
this meeting, which was scheduled on the morning of the
Ambassador's first day back in the office, had a broader
goal: at a time of widespread popular criticism of U.S.
policies in the region, to demonstrate - to Bahrain's Shias
and the Iranians - continued senior Bahraini engagement with
the USG. As we expected, the meeting received prominent
press play in local newspapers the next day.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
MONROE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD EINV BA REGION BILAT POL
OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF VISIBILITY
OF BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Bahrain would like to host more high-level American
visitors in Bahrain, Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa told the
Ambassador in their August 26 meeting. "For us to be seen
seeing each other is a very useful deterrent," he said, and
helps protect Bahrain's security, stability, and development.
He welcomed the August 1 implementation of the U.S.-Bahrain
free trade agreement and news that several American companies
would boost their presence in the Bahraini economy, including
Microsoft. The PM worried that Iran was meddling in Bahrain
through its relationship with Shia clergy, and warned that
Iran might abuse Bahrain's democracy and openness to harm the
country. End Summary.
--------------
Visible Signs of Strength of Relationship
--------------
2. (C) In an August 26 meeting, Prime Minister Shaikh
Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa told the Ambassador that it was
important to demonstrate visibly the strength of the
U.S.-Bahrain bilateral relationship. He was pleased that the
free trade agreement had entered into force and hoped to see
the Bahraini economy develop further as a result. "We must
devote our energies to keeping it (the agreement) moving," he
said. Deputy PM Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, who
also attended the meeting, mentioned that Microsoft had
announced it would move its regional headquarters from Turkey
to Bahrain, and the Ambassador said that he had word that
several other American companies were newly interested in
investing in or trading with Bahrain.
3. (C) The PM said countries of the region value highly
their relationship with the U.S. "We are not shy about
stretching our hand to you," he stated. Bahrain's friendship
with the United States is deep, deeper than that of the other
Gulf States, "and we don't want anyone to doubt it."
Recalling earlier trips by senior American officers, the PM
said he would like Secretary Rice and other Cabinet officials
to visit Bahrain. Shaikh Khalifa stated, "When officials
visit only one or two countries in the region, people ask,
'Why not us?'" Visible American support is good for
Bahrain's security, stability, and development, he asserted.
"For us to been seen seeing each other is a very useful
deterrent." Deputy PM Shaikh Mohammed noted that the Crown
Prince planned to visit Washington in September, and the
Minister of Education had been invited to attend the First
Lady's conference on global literacy.
-------------- --
Concern About Iran's Role in Bahrain and Region
-------------- --
4. (C) Turning to a familiar topic, the PM expressed his
unhappiness with Iranian intervention in Bahrain through Shia
clergy. Bahrain is a "stronghold" for Iran in the region.
The Iranian regional role is growing, consistent with
Tehran's long-held policy of expansion. "When I see their
actions, their assurances don't make me feel any better."
With Iran, issues do not necessarily go away, even if they
are old and have not been raised in a long time. A dispute
with Iran "is like a scab - scratch it and it will bleed."
The PM said that U.S.-Bahrain cooperation and unity has not
reduced Bahrain's fears of Iran effecting the stability of
the region.
5. (C) The PM said he could understand if Iran was busy with
economic development, but he cannot understand it being busy
with weapons development. Why is it developing weapons?
With which neighbors does it have a dispute? These are big
questions, he stated. Bahrain is a small country and wants
to feel secure. The United States helps Bahrain protect what
it has achieved. He expressed his concern that Iran could
abuse Bahrain's democracy to harm the country. Should we
open all our doors and invite people in, he asked. The PM
said he supports an active parliament, but warned that some
deputies have hidden agendas and exploit their positions to
question ministers about their ministries' activities. The
Ambassador responded that the United States shares his
concerns about Iran's nuclear program and its meddling in
Lebanon and Iraq.
--------------
MANAMA 00001574 002 OF 002
Comment
--------------
6. (C) Shaikh Khalifa likes to meet with the Ambassador
periodically to send a message domestically that he is
personally engaged with the USG. But he made it clear that
this meeting, which was scheduled on the morning of the
Ambassador's first day back in the office, had a broader
goal: at a time of widespread popular criticism of U.S.
policies in the region, to demonstrate - to Bahrain's Shias
and the Iranians - continued senior Bahraini engagement with
the USG. As we expected, the meeting received prominent
press play in local newspapers the next day.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
MONROE