CROWN PRINCE, U/S HUGHES DISCUSS IMPORTANCE OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MANAMA 001890

SIPDIS

FOR R, NEA

EO. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2016
TAGS: PREL SCUL PGO OEXC KMPI BA POL REFORM
OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: CROWN PRINCE, U/S HUGHES DISCUSS IMPORTANCE OF
OUTREACH IN COMBATING EXTREMISM


MANAMA 00001890 001.6 OF 003


Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) an (d)

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Summary
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1. (C)Crown Prince Salman told Under Secretary of State
Hughes November 1 that Bahrain stands ready to enance the
bilateral relationship and will support ny initiative that
furthers both countries' natinal interests. The phenomenon
of "death cult" etremists presents a challenge to moderates
in th region, who have to develop strategies to combat
extremists' access to manpower and financing. TheCP
supports and promotes exchange programs, sayig it is
important to keep the networks of youg people active and
healthy. Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak
Al Khalifa invited American experts to participate in the
work of a Bahraini committee focusing on education and
vocational training reform. Noting the President's
passionate belief in political participation, U/S Hughes
emphasized the value the USG places on the work of the
National Democratic Institute project in Bahrain. The CP
said there was push-back in Bahrain to the King's political
reform program and some danger of sectarian tensions spilling
over from Iraq. He spoke of the importance of building
democratic institutions and not just holding elections. End
Summary.


2. (C) Under Secretary of State for Public Affairs and
Public Diplomacy Karen Hughes met with Crown Prince Shaikh
Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa November 1 and discussed the
U.S.-Bahrain bilateral relationship, combating Islamic
extremism, exchange and education programs, the freedom
agenda, the Palestinian situation, and Iraq, among other
issues. Accompanying the Crown Prince were Deputy Prime
Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, MFA
Assistant Under Secretary for Coordination and Follow Up
Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, and CP Chief of
Staff Shaikh Khalifa bin Daij Al Khalifa. Participating on
the U.S. side were the Ambassador, Director of the Arabic
Public Diplomacy Hub Michael Pelletier, Director of Private
Sector Outreach Barbara Goergen, Senior Advisor Gamal Helal,
and Pol/Econ Chief (notetaker).

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Ready to Develop and Deepen Relationship
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3. (C) Shaikh Salman told U/S Hughes that Bahrain values
tremendously its relationship with the United States and "we
stand ready to develop and deepen the relationship." Bahrain
will support any initiative that furthers both our national
interests. Shaikh Mohammed added that the Bush
administration is closer to Bahrain than any other
administration. Bahrain is doing its part in many ways,
including joining the Proliferation Security Initiative and
participating in PSI exercise Leading Edge. He indicated
that Bahrain is now formally part of the coalition that
patrols the Arabian Gulf and Sea in combined naval task
forces. The Crown Prince said that although Bahrain faces
hard challenges in the future, it wants to achieve President
Bush's vision of political empowerment. U/S Hughes stated
that the United States recognizes Bahrain as an important
ally and friend.

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Combating the Extremist "Death Cult"
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4. (C) The Crown Prince stated that the Arab world is "in a
position we don't want to be in." The ideological path took
a wrong turn and now young people are encouraged by a "cult"
to commit suicide. They are cut off from their friends and
family and turn to extremism. They come from all strata of
family, social, and financial standing. The issue facing
moderates is how to address this challenge. Shaikh Salman
spoke about what he refers to the role of the three M's" in
combating extremism: manpower, money, and movement. On
manpower, the meta-symbol used by the extremist cult to suck
people in is the afterlife. Moderates need to develop ways
to combat this attraction. Money refers to the financing
available to extremists, and there need to be better ways to
track and shut down the flow of funds to them. On movement,
the CP believes there must be better intelligence gathering
and coordination. No country exists in isolation, and
friendly states should share information they have obtained.

MANAMA 00001890 002 OF 003




5. (C) U/S Hughes stated that her mission is to reach out,
build bridges, and increase communication and understanding.
A big part of this mission is the ideological battle. We
seek to create a wedge between extremists and moderates, who
want to live in peace, to isolate the fanatics and make it
clear to all that their ideology is a death cult. The Crown
Prince agreed and noted that he perceives a difference
between the death cultists and other extremists. The death
cult, represented by Al Qaida, wants to kill people. Other
extremists, represented by Hamas and Hizballah, want to
promote their agenda through grassroots community and social
services and politics. They all hijack the spirit of
moderation and claim to represent the mainstream.

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Keeping People-to-People Networks Healthy
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6. (C) The Crown Prince continued that the U.S. should
continue to understand that the actions of a few should not
tarnish an entire religion. He said he encourages Bahrainis
to get to know U.S. culture through business, education, and
other exchange programs. He noted that he sponsors young
people to study in the U.S. through the Crown Prince
Scholarship Program. Young people create networks, and it is
important to keep these networks active and healthy. Deputy
PM Shaikh Mohammed agreed, saying that improved education
curriculums will benefit generations. He indicated that
Bahrain has formed a committee to reform education and
vocational training programs, and he invited American experts
to participate in the committee's work. Shaikh Salman
explained that one of the main areas of focus in education
reform is teacher training. He asked if Bahraini teachers
could gain access to training programs in the U.S. or if
American teachers could come to Bahrain on a temporary basis
to instruct their Bahraini counterparts in best practices.
U/S Hughes agreed to discuss this proposal with Secretary of
Education Spellings, terming it a good idea.


7. (C) The Crown Prince said that Arab youth are greatly
influenced by American pop culture and products - music,
theater, arts, films, and television. It would be beneficial
if there were sympathetic Arab characters in American media
products that could serve as role models and demonstrate that
the U.S. treats Arabs fairly.

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Youth Exchanges
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8. (C) U/S Hughes noted that the youngest participants in
U.S. exchange programs are in high school and there is
concern that by this age, they could already have negative
views of the United States. She indicated that the U.S. is
considering organizing summer camps in the region for those
below high school age to promote English language learning,
spread information about the role of governments and civil
society, and encourage friendships between Arabs and
Americans. Shaikh Salman approved of this idea, in
particular exposing youth to American culture at a younger
age, on the condition that there is linkage between these
programs and those for older youth so they can receive
continuous exposure to American ideas. He also emphasized
that U.S. policymakers and members of Congress should visit
the area more often. There is doubt about U.S. policy in the
region, he said, and visiting senior officials and
politicians can help explain the American perspective.


9. (C) Shaikh Salman said the U.S.-Bahrain free trade
agreement is "a very big deal." The United States needs to
reward countries that are moving towards more open economies.
U.S. support for countries involved in economic reform is
crucial. The region needs more role models of this kind.

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Domestic Push-Back to King's Political Reforms
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10. (C) U/S Hughes stressed that the President passionately
believes there needs to be more space for political
participation in the region. The National Democratic
Institute (NDI) project is a big symbol for what is happening
in Bahrain. Americans see the reforms, but NDI's forced
departure has damaged Bahrain's reputation, and its continued
absence from Bahrain will remain a concern to the U.S.
Government. The Crown Prince said that he has his personal

MANAMA 00001890 003 OF 003


views of the NDI scenario and NDI's presumed partner the
Bahrain Institute for Political Development (Comment:
Implying he was not happy about how things had played out),
but indicated there has been push-back to the King's
political reform program. There are those who are against
reform and there is a "serious danger of real confrontation."
There is concern that sectarian tensions in Iraq could spill
over into Bahrain. The GOB wants to work with NDI but not as
the single source of expertise.


11. (C) Shaikh Mohammed agreed, saying that if there was too
much pressure, the democracy project in Bahrain could fail.
He said Bahrain had moved quite a bit on democracy and the
government continued to be engaged in the process of
educating the people. They need to feel that freedom and
democracy come from within, not outside. "I assure you we
will make democracy a success," he said. In response to U/S
Hughes' question, Shaikh Mohammed said "perhaps" NDI could
return to Bahrain after the elections.

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Developing Political Institutions
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12. (C) The Crown Prince stated that when he had last met
with Secretary Rice (in March 2006),he had stressed that
when Bahrain talks about democratic reform, it looks beyond
just holding elections to developing institutions. Democracy
is no guarantee of liberty, but pluralism allows for respect
for different views. Making people feel that they are a part
of the process is important. Issues must be addressed in
their own way in each country. People see what is happening
in Iraq, Iran, and the Palestinian territories and there is
push-back on democracy. No one wants their country torn
apart by sectarianism, he said.

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Forward Leaning Posture with President Abbas
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13. (C) Returning to a usual refrain, the Crown Prince said
that the U.S. is widely viewed in the Arab world as being
biased in the Israel-Palestinian issue. Whatever the U.S.
could do to change this perception would be helpful, in
particular by supporting President Abbas. The U.S. has been
too hands off; it should now adopt a more forward leaning
posture. The more extreme elements, especially suicide
bombers, drove U.S. policy away from engagement.


14. (C) The Crown Prince said that Bahrain is now telling
Abbas that he needs to get Hamas out of the government.
Abbas should have the ability to run the process of dealing
with Israel without the influence of Hamas. U.S. engagement
is "the number one issue." If the moderates do not solve the
problem now, he said, then in ten years we will be dealing
with people holding guns. U/S Hughes stated that the
President and Secretary want to see genuine progress toward a
Palestinian state. The President had emphasized this in his
address to the UN General Assembly. The CP said the
President's comments had been very well received. The
Palestinians had dropped the ball by not taking the next
step. Abbas now needs to know that he will be supported by
the U.S. if he dissolves the Palestinian government.

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Reconciliation in Iraq
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15. (C) In response to U/S Hughes' question, the Crown
Prince said that Iraqi PM Maliki needs to activate a
reconciliation program. In his view, Iraq really needs a
military government at this time, "but it's too latQfor
that." Maliki is facing challenges from Moqtada Al Sadr and
Iran. The CP recalled that in a meeting one year ago,
Iranian President Ahmadi-Nejad had remarked that it was in
Iran's national interest that the Iraqi government be weak,
and that the U.S. be tied up in Iraq.


16. (U) U/S Hughes cleared this cable.


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