BAHRAIN: CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION AND AUSTRALIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001904 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR IO/UNP-BETTS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/08/2016 TAGS: PREL PHUM UNGA BA UN CU ROW SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION AND AUSTRALIAN AMENDMENT REF: A. STATE 184156 ¶B. STATE 182099 Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Pol/Econ Chief November 8 delivered demarches concerning the UNGA Cuba Embargo Resolution (Ref B) and the Australian amendment to the Embargo Resolution (Ref A) to MFA Director for International Organization Affairs Ghassan Shaikho. With regard to the Cuba Embargo Resolution, Shaikho said that Bahrain's freedom of movement is constrained by the positions of the other GCC states and Arab League (AL) members. Shaikho said he would instruct the Bahraini PermRep to be in touch with his GCC and AL colleagues to determine their positions and report back to Manama. ¶2. (C) On the Australian amendment, Shaikho listened carefully to the proposed elements for the draft amendment, drawn from the 2005 EU Explanation of Vote (EOV). He replied that he understood the U.S. position and acknowledged that the Cuban government has committed errors. He stated, however, that if the Australian amendment closely followed the EU EOV, he was unsure whether Bahrain could go along with it, saying it was "strong language." He thought it would be better for Australia to use less strident language, which would enable other countries to support the amendment. He promised to discuss the issue urgently with senior MFA leadership and the Bahraini PermRep and get an idea of the positions of the GCC and AL countries. If there is wide support, Bahrain would, of course, go along with the consensus. He stated that Bahrain is a good friend and ally of the U.S. and would try its best to support the U.S. on this issue. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE