Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAMA1806
2006-10-19 10:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:
DEFENSE MINISTER AND GENERAL ABIZAID DISCUSS
how-toVZCZCXRO3965 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK DE RUEHMK #1806/01 2921015 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 191015Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5797 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN 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 001806
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS MASS BA IR IZ REGION BILAT
OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTER AND GENERAL ABIZAID DISCUSS
REGIONAL SITUATION, BILATERAL COOPERATION
Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh 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 001806
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS MASS BA IR IZ REGION BILAT
OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTER AND GENERAL ABIZAID DISCUSS
REGIONAL SITUATION, BILATERAL COOPERATION
Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) CENTCOM Commander General Abizaid October 11 met with
Defense Minister GEN Shaikh Khalifa and discussed Iran, Iraq,
Afghanistan, bilateral military cooperation, and
counter-terrorism. Shaikh Khalifa said that Iran's behavior
in the region is growing worse and Iran's nuclear program
must be stopped or neutralized. Iran had proposed signing a
defense cooperation agreement with Bahrain and other GCC
countries, but Shaikh Khalifa ruled out any possibility of
doing so. He noted that Bahrain had not updated its military
planning on Iran and invited the participation of a U.S. team
in this process. Shaikh Khalifa is worried about the
security situation in Iraq and suggested that the government
should declare some form of martial law for a temporary
period to solve the security problems. He supports Pakistani
President Musharraf's efforts to engage with the tribes on
the Afghan border, but recognizes that Afghanistan probably
misinterprets what he is doing there. Bahrain has already
done the paperwork required to integrate its air defenses
with the U.S. and looks forward to participating in some way
in a combined maritime patrol. Shaikh Khalifa said the
government has the internal security situation under control.
End Summary.
--------------
Iran's Behavior Growing Worse
--------------
2. (C) CENTCOM Commander General Abizaid and delegation
October 11 met with Defense Minister General Shaikh Khalifa
bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and discussed Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan,
U.S.-Bahrain military cooperation, and counter-terrorism. In
response to GEN Abizaid's question, Shaikh Khalifa said that
Iran's behavior in the region is growing worse, and it is
imperative to stop or neutralize Iran's nuclear program.
Iran is not currently threatening people but it is collecting
intelligence throughout the region. The Minister noted that
Iran had proposed signing a defense cooperation agreement
with Bahrain and other GCC countries that would include
guarantees that the GCC states would not allow their land,
sea, and air to be used against Iran. Shaikh Khalifa ruled
out any possibility of such an agreement. Shaikh Khalifa
said that Bahrain needs to update its military planning
vis-a-vis Iran, noting that the plans had not been reviewed
in 10 years. He requested the participation of a U.S. team
to assist in the update process.
3. (C) Noting Iran's meddling in Iraq, Shaikh Khalifa said
that we should treat Iran as they treat others. There are
big problems inside Iran: Azeris, Balouchis, and Arabs make
up a good part of the population, and most of these oppose
the Iranian government. Someone, he said, should push these
groups to move against the GOI, to "keep the government
occupied." GEN Abizaid said that as long as the United
States and its allies stand together and defend our mutual
interests, we will not have any problems with Iran. But we
cannot show the Iranians any weakness; they must see only
strength. Shaikh Khalifa commented that Iran will proceed
with its nuclear program regardless of world opinion. They
are desperate to move the program forward.
--------------
Martial Law Needed In Iraq?
--------------
4. (C) Turning to Iraq, Shaikh Khalifa said he does not hear
good news about what is happening there. People are worried
about what they see. Once Iraqis start killing each other,
it will be difficult to control. They seek revenge rather
than go to the courts. GEN Abizaid commented that the level
of violence between groups is high. We have to hope that the
government gets stronger and politicians exert leadership.
Shaikh Khalifa stated that Iraq needs some form of martial
law for a short period to solve the security problems. He
asked about the Iranian role in violence in Iraq. GEN
Abizaid said there is some evidence of Iranian involvement
but it is hard to detect. Shaikh Khalifa commented that Iran
has its proxies do the job on its behalf. He indicated that
Bahrain continued to provide assistance to Iraq. Just a few
days earlier, 50 Iraqi children had come to Bahrain for
needed medical treatment, and many of Iraq's firefighters had
been trained in Bahrain. Shaikh Khalifa said that Bahrain is
ready to support other activities and is open to U.S.
suggestions.
MANAMA 00001806 002 OF 002
5. (C) In response to the Minister's request, GEN Abizaid
provided a briefing on the state of operations in
Afghanistan, also addressing Pakistani President Musharraf's
recent agreement with tribes in the Federally Administered
Tribal Areas on the border with Afghanistan. Shaikh Khalifa
commented that Musharraf is engaged and knows how to work
with the tribes. This engagement may, however, be
misunderstood by the Afghanis. Musharraf is trying to break
the tribes from within, but Afghanistan likely thinks
Pakistan's intelligence service is supporting the tribes.
Shaikh Khalifa admitted there is probably some corruption
among the tribes; they have a tendency to take money and then
do whatever they want.
--------------
Bilateral Military Cooperation
--------------
6. (C) Noting that tensions could go up in the region due to
the North Korean nuclear test, GEN Abizaid said the U.S. is
interested in working with regional countries to integrate
air defenses and improve communication links. Shaikh Khalifa
said Bahrain was eager to establish these communication links
and was ready to move ahead. He stated that King Hamad had
instructed him to work with NAVCENT to study options for
Bahraini participation in a combined maritime patrol.
NAVCENT's VADM Walsh indicated that there would be a meeting
November 1 to discuss this topic. Shaikh Khalifa said he was
interested in Bahraini ships and officers working with
NAVCENT.
7. (C) In response to the Charge's question, Shaikh Khalifa
said the GOB remains in control of the security situation.
He acknowledged there are some very small groups of
extremists, both Sunni and Shia, but said they are being
closely monitored. Bahrain's judicial system requires hard
evidence to hold and try extremists, "a tough situation" for
the government, he said. Shaikh Khalifa expressed his view
that there had never been much interest in Sunni extremist
ideology in GCC states outside of Saudi Arabia, and even in
Saudi support for extremists was dying down.
8. (U) GEN Abizaid cleared this cable.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
MONROE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS MASS BA IR IZ REGION BILAT
OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTER AND GENERAL ABIZAID DISCUSS
REGIONAL SITUATION, BILATERAL COOPERATION
Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) CENTCOM Commander General Abizaid October 11 met with
Defense Minister GEN Shaikh Khalifa and discussed Iran, Iraq,
Afghanistan, bilateral military cooperation, and
counter-terrorism. Shaikh Khalifa said that Iran's behavior
in the region is growing worse and Iran's nuclear program
must be stopped or neutralized. Iran had proposed signing a
defense cooperation agreement with Bahrain and other GCC
countries, but Shaikh Khalifa ruled out any possibility of
doing so. He noted that Bahrain had not updated its military
planning on Iran and invited the participation of a U.S. team
in this process. Shaikh Khalifa is worried about the
security situation in Iraq and suggested that the government
should declare some form of martial law for a temporary
period to solve the security problems. He supports Pakistani
President Musharraf's efforts to engage with the tribes on
the Afghan border, but recognizes that Afghanistan probably
misinterprets what he is doing there. Bahrain has already
done the paperwork required to integrate its air defenses
with the U.S. and looks forward to participating in some way
in a combined maritime patrol. Shaikh Khalifa said the
government has the internal security situation under control.
End Summary.
--------------
Iran's Behavior Growing Worse
--------------
2. (C) CENTCOM Commander General Abizaid and delegation
October 11 met with Defense Minister General Shaikh Khalifa
bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and discussed Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan,
U.S.-Bahrain military cooperation, and counter-terrorism. In
response to GEN Abizaid's question, Shaikh Khalifa said that
Iran's behavior in the region is growing worse, and it is
imperative to stop or neutralize Iran's nuclear program.
Iran is not currently threatening people but it is collecting
intelligence throughout the region. The Minister noted that
Iran had proposed signing a defense cooperation agreement
with Bahrain and other GCC countries that would include
guarantees that the GCC states would not allow their land,
sea, and air to be used against Iran. Shaikh Khalifa ruled
out any possibility of such an agreement. Shaikh Khalifa
said that Bahrain needs to update its military planning
vis-a-vis Iran, noting that the plans had not been reviewed
in 10 years. He requested the participation of a U.S. team
to assist in the update process.
3. (C) Noting Iran's meddling in Iraq, Shaikh Khalifa said
that we should treat Iran as they treat others. There are
big problems inside Iran: Azeris, Balouchis, and Arabs make
up a good part of the population, and most of these oppose
the Iranian government. Someone, he said, should push these
groups to move against the GOI, to "keep the government
occupied." GEN Abizaid said that as long as the United
States and its allies stand together and defend our mutual
interests, we will not have any problems with Iran. But we
cannot show the Iranians any weakness; they must see only
strength. Shaikh Khalifa commented that Iran will proceed
with its nuclear program regardless of world opinion. They
are desperate to move the program forward.
--------------
Martial Law Needed In Iraq?
--------------
4. (C) Turning to Iraq, Shaikh Khalifa said he does not hear
good news about what is happening there. People are worried
about what they see. Once Iraqis start killing each other,
it will be difficult to control. They seek revenge rather
than go to the courts. GEN Abizaid commented that the level
of violence between groups is high. We have to hope that the
government gets stronger and politicians exert leadership.
Shaikh Khalifa stated that Iraq needs some form of martial
law for a short period to solve the security problems. He
asked about the Iranian role in violence in Iraq. GEN
Abizaid said there is some evidence of Iranian involvement
but it is hard to detect. Shaikh Khalifa commented that Iran
has its proxies do the job on its behalf. He indicated that
Bahrain continued to provide assistance to Iraq. Just a few
days earlier, 50 Iraqi children had come to Bahrain for
needed medical treatment, and many of Iraq's firefighters had
been trained in Bahrain. Shaikh Khalifa said that Bahrain is
ready to support other activities and is open to U.S.
suggestions.
MANAMA 00001806 002 OF 002
5. (C) In response to the Minister's request, GEN Abizaid
provided a briefing on the state of operations in
Afghanistan, also addressing Pakistani President Musharraf's
recent agreement with tribes in the Federally Administered
Tribal Areas on the border with Afghanistan. Shaikh Khalifa
commented that Musharraf is engaged and knows how to work
with the tribes. This engagement may, however, be
misunderstood by the Afghanis. Musharraf is trying to break
the tribes from within, but Afghanistan likely thinks
Pakistan's intelligence service is supporting the tribes.
Shaikh Khalifa admitted there is probably some corruption
among the tribes; they have a tendency to take money and then
do whatever they want.
--------------
Bilateral Military Cooperation
--------------
6. (C) Noting that tensions could go up in the region due to
the North Korean nuclear test, GEN Abizaid said the U.S. is
interested in working with regional countries to integrate
air defenses and improve communication links. Shaikh Khalifa
said Bahrain was eager to establish these communication links
and was ready to move ahead. He stated that King Hamad had
instructed him to work with NAVCENT to study options for
Bahraini participation in a combined maritime patrol.
NAVCENT's VADM Walsh indicated that there would be a meeting
November 1 to discuss this topic. Shaikh Khalifa said he was
interested in Bahraini ships and officers working with
NAVCENT.
7. (C) In response to the Charge's question, Shaikh Khalifa
said the GOB remains in control of the security situation.
He acknowledged there are some very small groups of
extremists, both Sunni and Shia, but said they are being
closely monitored. Bahrain's judicial system requires hard
evidence to hold and try extremists, "a tough situation" for
the government, he said. Shaikh Khalifa expressed his view
that there had never been much interest in Sunni extremist
ideology in GCC states outside of Saudi Arabia, and even in
Saudi support for extremists was dying down.
8. (U) GEN Abizaid cleared this cable.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
MONROE