FOREIGN MINISTER HOPES FOR HAMAS FOCUS ON INTERNAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000182 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2016 TAGS: PREL KPAL BA IS OFFICIALS REGION SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER HOPES FOR HAMAS FOCUS ON INTERNAL AFFAIRS REF: A. A. MANAMA 0180 (NOTAL) ¶B. B. STATE 14992 Classified by Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid told the Ambassador February 7 that Bahrain had adopted a wait-and-see approach to a Hamas government. He noted a change in tone from Hamas: during the election campaign, it had delivered clear statements on its positions, but since winning, the statements had become more ambiguous. Shaikh Khalid said the international community should urge Hamas to focus on internal affairs while President Abbas engaged with Israel. International aid should continue to flow until such a time that Hamas does something wrong. Referring to his recent visit to Tehran, Shaikh Khalid said that Iranian officials were happy about Hamas' victory. He warned of the danger of ceding the field to Iran regarding dealing with Hamas. End Summary. -------------- -- Hamas' "Ambiguous" Statements a New Development -------------- -- ¶2. (C) In a February 7 meeting covering several subjects (Ref A),the Ambassador delivered Ref B demarche concerning the U.S. position on the Palestinian elections to Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. Shaikh Khalid listened carefully and responded with an explanation of the Bahraini position. He said Bahrain would wait and see how Hamas governs. During the election campaign, Hamas had made black-and-white statements about its views on a range of issues. Since winning, the statements had become much more ambiguous, representing a change in course for the organization. Shaikh Khalid stressed that not everyone who voted for Hamas was a supporter; many Palestinians used their vote as a protest against Fatah and its corrupt practices. ¶3. (C) The Minister stated that Mahmoud Abbas was still president, and he should continue to have contact with Israel. Hamas should not object to this. Additionally, Abbas has responsibility for the security services, not the prime minister or government. -------------- Keep the Money Flowing, For Now -------------- ¶4. (C) Shaikh Khalid said that the international community should tell Hamas that it must focus on internal affairs during the coming period. It has to "clean up the mess" Fatah left behind. It should coexist in a government headed by Abbas and not interfere in or oppose his relationship with Israel. Hamas should state clearly that it is committed to prior peace agreements and would not support terrorism. There should not be pressure on Hamas to engage in direct contact with Israel; this should be left to Abbas. ¶5. (C) In Shaikh Khalid's view, Hamas has to feel the responsibility of governing and the need to provide services to citizens. The group took the "smart step" of forming alliances with women and Christians for the elections, and now must deliver. The international community should keep the money flowing until Hamas does something wrong. Then Palestinian voters would know that Hamas is directly responsible for the end of foreign assistance. ¶6. (C) Bahrain has no plans for direct contact with Hamas, the Minister said. The first time the GOB ever communicated with the group was the King's telegram to Khalid Meshaal following the elections. But even this cable did not mention Hamas; the King congratulated Meshaal for the victory of the "Change and Reform" group, the name Hamas ran under in the elections. -------------- "Jolly" Mood in Tehran -------------- ¶7. (C) Noting that he had made an official visit to Tehran January 28-29 (Ref A),Shaikh Khalid said that his Iranian interlocutors - President Ahmadi-Nejad, Vice President Daoodi, Foreign Minister Mottaki, and former President Rafsanjani - were "jolly" about Hamas' victory. Shaikh Khalid told the Ambassador that the international community should not cede the field to Iran with regard to dealing with Hamas. ¶8. (C) Shaikh Khalid praised Israeli Acting PM Olmert's remarks on the eve of the elections, which referred to the roadmap and establishment of an independent, democratic Palestine. He hopes for continued strong performance by Olmert. MONROE