Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAMA1988
2006-12-03 11:59:00
SECRET
Embassy Manama
Cable title:
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY DISCUSSES MILITARY
how-toVZCZCXRO4706 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK DE RUEHMK #1988/01 3371159 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 031159Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6092 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC PRIORITY RUENAAA/SECNAV WASHDC PRIORITY
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001988
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS BA REGION BILAT OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: SECRETARY OF THE NAVY DISCUSSES MILITARY
RELATIONSHIP WITH MINISTER OF DEFENSE
Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
-------
Summary
-------
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001988
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS BA REGION BILAT OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: SECRETARY OF THE NAVY DISCUSSES MILITARY
RELATIONSHIP WITH MINISTER OF DEFENSE
Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (S) Minister of Defense General Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed
Al Khalifa told Secretary of the Navy Winter November 26 that
the long standing presence of the US Navy in Bahrain and the
warm relationship between Bahrain and the US is a stabilizing
force given Bahrain's "unpredictable neighbors." He stated
Bahrain's determination to strengthen the relationship, and
to work together to manage any future threats, especially
through joint exercises and training. Referring to Iranian
aspirations for regional hegemony, he said that Iran is
insisting that cooperation on Gulf Security should be with
them and that the US not be involved. The minister stated a
need to update plans and operations to meet new scenarios,
especially Iran. On Iraq, Shaikh Khalifa said the Iraqi
government needs to step up and deal with the situation and
other countries should play a role, not only the US. He said
that the lack of stability in Iraq can affect Gulf security
and other allies, and offered as an example how Saudi Arabia
has dealt with its terrorist problem, saying hard decisions
must be made. Reiterating his concern that Bahrain faced an
ever growing missile threat, he asked that the US consider
how to help with increased air defense assets. End Summary.
-------------- --------------
Past, Present and Future Relationship with US Navy
-------------- --------------
2. (C) Defense Minister Shaikh Khalifa referred to Bahrain
as our naval forces' home town for the past 50 years,
characterizing the US Naval presence as a stabilizing force
given unpredictable neighbors like Iran. He spoke positively
of the current relationship, highlighting Bahraini
participation in Combined Task Forces 150 and 152 currently
operating in the region. Secretary Winter said that
stability in this region is critical to the world economy,
and that threats to oil platforms and from piracy are best
handled by partnering with friends like Bahrain. When asked
by the Secretary what he could do to help further develop
relations between Bahrain and the US Navy, Shaikh Khalifa
stated the need for joint exercises with the US, and
assistance in updating plans to respond to evolving threats.
Secretary Winter concurred with conducting frequent exercises
SIPDIS
to ensure changing staffs are trained and to keep up with
threat changes both at sea and ashore. Rear Admiral Swift,
Deputy Commander, Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT),
noted that participation by Bahrain's frigate and the
presence of a Bahraini liaison officer on the NAVCENT staff
were both very helpful. Shaikh Khalifa noted that Iran had
recently procured a new air defense system from Russia and
said that Bahrain must update its plans and exercises based
on Iran's increased capability. The Secretary stated that
finances, the economy, and strategy all drive such sales.
Export sales are especially attractive, he added, and may
drive bad decisions.
3. (S) The minister discussed the TPS-59 Radar system due
to be operational in Bahrain by the end of March 2007. The
system will give increased protection capability, but it is
not integrated with any other Bahraini or US assets. In
order for the system to be useful, there must be a way to
integrate it with existing communication facilities and
command centers. The equipment that will satisfy this
requirement is the TYQ-23 Tactical Air Operations Module.
The Letter of Offer and Acceptance is expected to be
delivered in December 2006. Secretary Winter indicated that
his office will coordinate to ensure that there is no
unnecessary delay in the procurement process.
--------------
The Growing Iranian Threat
--------------
4. (S) Shaikh Khalifa said that Iran is insisting that
cooperation on Gulf Security should be with them and the US
should not have any influence. He expressed concern about
Iranian intervention in Iraq and Lebanon, noting that Iran is
active in the Gulf with the same intentions. He said that
Bahrain has always kept Iran on its side of the water and
that even without a nuclear capability, Iran is already
creating mischief in the region. "Imagine how much more
aggressive they will be if they have a bomb."
--------------
MANAMA 00001988 002 OF 002
Iraqi Government Needs To Do More
--------------
5. (S) The minister asked the Secretary's views of the
situation in Iraq. Secretary Winter noted that there are
many challenges but stated that during his recent trip to
Iraq, he found the morale of the troops to be very high.
Many troops told him they want to complete the mission, and
then go home, in that order. Some areas are calm, but others
need work. We are working to bridge the cultural gap by
providing cultural training and education, but we're not
there yet. Shaikh Khalifa said that the Iraqi government
needs to do more, that it cannot only be the US government
dealing with this situation. He said that the Iraqis need to
do their own job. Other countries need to show support as
well. He expressed concern over the potential for problems
in Iraq to spread throughout the region, affecting allies
such as Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. The
solution to problems in Iraq may be found in how Saudi Arabia
dealt with their terrorist problem, saying that hard
decisions would have to be made. The situation in Saudi
Arabia is much better; they took stringent measures to send
the message.
--------------
Bilateral Air Defense Agreement
--------------
6. (S) Noting that Bahrain was among three countries that
were hit by missiles during Desert Storm, Shaikh Khalifa
expressed concern about the missile threat from Iran. He
requested the US consider providing missile defense equipment
and training, specifically the Patriot system. He asked the
US to consider a bilateral approach, as a regional approach
may take too long. He then stated, "We are looking for the
deployment of increased air defense assets either from your
side or from ours." Secretary Winter said he would raise
this issue upon his return to determine options and see if
there is a way to move on it.
7. (U) Secretary Winter cleared this cable.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
MONROE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS BA REGION BILAT OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: SECRETARY OF THE NAVY DISCUSSES MILITARY
RELATIONSHIP WITH MINISTER OF DEFENSE
Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (S) Minister of Defense General Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed
Al Khalifa told Secretary of the Navy Winter November 26 that
the long standing presence of the US Navy in Bahrain and the
warm relationship between Bahrain and the US is a stabilizing
force given Bahrain's "unpredictable neighbors." He stated
Bahrain's determination to strengthen the relationship, and
to work together to manage any future threats, especially
through joint exercises and training. Referring to Iranian
aspirations for regional hegemony, he said that Iran is
insisting that cooperation on Gulf Security should be with
them and that the US not be involved. The minister stated a
need to update plans and operations to meet new scenarios,
especially Iran. On Iraq, Shaikh Khalifa said the Iraqi
government needs to step up and deal with the situation and
other countries should play a role, not only the US. He said
that the lack of stability in Iraq can affect Gulf security
and other allies, and offered as an example how Saudi Arabia
has dealt with its terrorist problem, saying hard decisions
must be made. Reiterating his concern that Bahrain faced an
ever growing missile threat, he asked that the US consider
how to help with increased air defense assets. End Summary.
-------------- --------------
Past, Present and Future Relationship with US Navy
-------------- --------------
2. (C) Defense Minister Shaikh Khalifa referred to Bahrain
as our naval forces' home town for the past 50 years,
characterizing the US Naval presence as a stabilizing force
given unpredictable neighbors like Iran. He spoke positively
of the current relationship, highlighting Bahraini
participation in Combined Task Forces 150 and 152 currently
operating in the region. Secretary Winter said that
stability in this region is critical to the world economy,
and that threats to oil platforms and from piracy are best
handled by partnering with friends like Bahrain. When asked
by the Secretary what he could do to help further develop
relations between Bahrain and the US Navy, Shaikh Khalifa
stated the need for joint exercises with the US, and
assistance in updating plans to respond to evolving threats.
Secretary Winter concurred with conducting frequent exercises
SIPDIS
to ensure changing staffs are trained and to keep up with
threat changes both at sea and ashore. Rear Admiral Swift,
Deputy Commander, Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT),
noted that participation by Bahrain's frigate and the
presence of a Bahraini liaison officer on the NAVCENT staff
were both very helpful. Shaikh Khalifa noted that Iran had
recently procured a new air defense system from Russia and
said that Bahrain must update its plans and exercises based
on Iran's increased capability. The Secretary stated that
finances, the economy, and strategy all drive such sales.
Export sales are especially attractive, he added, and may
drive bad decisions.
3. (S) The minister discussed the TPS-59 Radar system due
to be operational in Bahrain by the end of March 2007. The
system will give increased protection capability, but it is
not integrated with any other Bahraini or US assets. In
order for the system to be useful, there must be a way to
integrate it with existing communication facilities and
command centers. The equipment that will satisfy this
requirement is the TYQ-23 Tactical Air Operations Module.
The Letter of Offer and Acceptance is expected to be
delivered in December 2006. Secretary Winter indicated that
his office will coordinate to ensure that there is no
unnecessary delay in the procurement process.
--------------
The Growing Iranian Threat
--------------
4. (S) Shaikh Khalifa said that Iran is insisting that
cooperation on Gulf Security should be with them and the US
should not have any influence. He expressed concern about
Iranian intervention in Iraq and Lebanon, noting that Iran is
active in the Gulf with the same intentions. He said that
Bahrain has always kept Iran on its side of the water and
that even without a nuclear capability, Iran is already
creating mischief in the region. "Imagine how much more
aggressive they will be if they have a bomb."
--------------
MANAMA 00001988 002 OF 002
Iraqi Government Needs To Do More
--------------
5. (S) The minister asked the Secretary's views of the
situation in Iraq. Secretary Winter noted that there are
many challenges but stated that during his recent trip to
Iraq, he found the morale of the troops to be very high.
Many troops told him they want to complete the mission, and
then go home, in that order. Some areas are calm, but others
need work. We are working to bridge the cultural gap by
providing cultural training and education, but we're not
there yet. Shaikh Khalifa said that the Iraqi government
needs to do more, that it cannot only be the US government
dealing with this situation. He said that the Iraqis need to
do their own job. Other countries need to show support as
well. He expressed concern over the potential for problems
in Iraq to spread throughout the region, affecting allies
such as Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. The
solution to problems in Iraq may be found in how Saudi Arabia
dealt with their terrorist problem, saying that hard
decisions would have to be made. The situation in Saudi
Arabia is much better; they took stringent measures to send
the message.
--------------
Bilateral Air Defense Agreement
--------------
6. (S) Noting that Bahrain was among three countries that
were hit by missiles during Desert Storm, Shaikh Khalifa
expressed concern about the missile threat from Iran. He
requested the US consider providing missile defense equipment
and training, specifically the Patriot system. He asked the
US to consider a bilateral approach, as a regional approach
may take too long. He then stated, "We are looking for the
deployment of increased air defense assets either from your
side or from ours." Secretary Winter said he would raise
this issue upon his return to determine options and see if
there is a way to move on it.
7. (U) Secretary Winter cleared this cable.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
MONROE