DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ADDRESSES FTA, NDI, ELECTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001938 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2016 TAGS: PREL ETRD KDEM KMPI BA BILAT OFFICIALS SUBJECT: DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ADDRESSES FTA, NDI, ELECTIONS REF: MANAMA 1890 Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) . -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) In their November 9 meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak agreed with the Ambassador's suggestion that the GOB should launch a roadshow led by a senior official to promote the U.S.-Bahrain free trade agreement in the United States. Regarding NDI, Shaikh Mohammed said Bahrain needs U.S. expertise to help train Bahraini politicians, especially new members of parliament following the upcoming elections. He said there would be serious discussion about the future of the leadership of the Bahrain Institute for Political Development as well as about possible Cabinet changes. Shaikh Mohammed said economic development would help moderates gain the upper hand in democratic elections, and he complained about the involvement of religious figures in politics. He asserted that the democratic experience of the past four years had improved life in Bahrain and he stated that the government wants to cooperate with parliament on initiatives to improve standards of living, economic opportunity, and education. End Summary. -------------- Roadshow To Promote FTA -------------- ¶2. (C) Opening his November 9 meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, the Ambassador described his participation in an October tour with eight other U.S. Ambassadors to NEA countries to four American cities to promote economic relations. While recognizing that U.S.-Bahrain bilateral trade was way up over the same period last year, he cautioned that Bahrain needs to move quickly to promote the free trade agreement (FTA) while it is still fresh. The National U.S. Arab Chamber of Commerce was poised to sign a memorandum of understanding with Bahrain's FTA Implementation Committee to promote the FTA, and a senior U.S. Department of Commerce official would visit Manama the following week to publicize trade and investment relations. The missing piece, the Ambassador said, is a high powered Bahraini delegation to the United States to generate interest on the American side. ¶3. (C) Shaikh Mohammed agreed, saying that the GOB should launch a roadshow targeting traditional and non-traditional business centers in the United States. "This should be our number one priority - we have to take advantage of the momentum," he said. He thought that Crown Prince Salman, Minister of Industry and Commerce Hassan Fakhro, or Economic Development Board CEO Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa could lead the Bahraini delegation. -------------- -------------- Possible Changes at Political Development Institute -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) The Ambassador noted that Under Secretary Hughes, during her November 1 meeting with the Crown Prince (reftel), had explained that NDI's forced departure from Bahrain continued to be an irritant in the relationship. The Ambassador said that NDI was happy to work with the Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD),and had arranged a study tour for a Bahraini delegation in the United States at the time of the U.S. mid-term congressional elections. However, many people, including members of the BIPD board, find BIPD Secretary General Lulwa Al Awadhi difficult to work with. Shaikh Mohammed said Bahrain wants to work with the U.S. to train Bahraini politicians, especially new members of parliament following the upcoming elections (to be held November 25 and December 2). He stated that following the elections there would be a "very serious discussion" about Al Awadhi's leadership and possible Cabinet changes. -------------- Economic Progress Helps Moderates -------------- ¶5. (C) Shaikh Mohammed stated that the elections were providing people with an opportunity to meet and discuss and debate issues. This is a healthy development. But he worries about who will lead democracies in the region, moderates or extremists? The only way for democracy to succeed, he said, is to promote economic development so the moderates can gain the upper hand. He said it is not right for clerics to be involved in politics because many people MANAMA 00001938 002 OF 002 will follow their "orders." Most clerics are unsophisticated and make judgments on political and economic issues without any knowledge or information. The Ambassador stated that independent election observers, ideally international observers, would provide credibility for the election process. The Deputy PM said Bahrain would allow independent observers. ¶6. (C) Shaikh Mohammed said MPs should concentrate on promoting democracy and improving the lives of the people, not on demonstrations, confrontation, and "small issues" that advance private agendas. He said he is concerned about misuse of the system for personal or ideological purposes. The democratic experience over the past four years has improved life in Bahrain, and the government is committed to continued progress. It is not possible to avoid difficulties, but the government wants to have good relations with parliament and seeks to cooperate on issues related to improving standards of living, economic opportunity, and education. "We have a vision for Bahrain's future," he said, "of unlimited opportunity and potential." The government and parliament have to work together to achieve this vision. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE