Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAMA2085
2006-12-29 07:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:
FOREIGN MINISTER TELLS AMBASSADOR THAT GCC PLUS
how-toVZCZCXRO6253 OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHMK #2085/01 3630704 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 290704Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6239 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 1267 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0877 RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 002085
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2016
TAGS: PREL BA REGION OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER TELLS AMBASSADOR THAT GCC PLUS
TWO SHOULD NOT BE ENLARGED (FOR NOW)
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
-------
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 002085
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2016
TAGS: PREL BA REGION OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER TELLS AMBASSADOR THAT GCC PLUS
TWO SHOULD NOT BE ENLARGED (FOR NOW)
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid and the Ambassador
December 28 discussed next steps in the GCC Plus Two
mechanism, Iraq, Omani Minister Bin Alawi's visit to Bahrain,
Somalia, the status of U.S. Navy dependents, and Guantanamo,
among other issues. Shaikh Khalid urged that the GCC Plus
Two remain limited to the current participants during this
stage of discussing policies and formulating a common vision.
It could be enlarged if desired later on. He said the
planned late-December GCC foreign ministers meeting in
Bahrain had been postponed at the request of Saudi FM Prince
Saud. Bin Alawi had come to Bahrain to participate in the
first meeting of the Bahrain-Oman joint committee, and the
parties had discussed the future of Gulf Air, including
Boeing's business proposal. He urged the U.S. Navy to allow
its dependents to return to Bahrain and asked for an update
on the status of the two remaining Bahraini detainees at
Guantanamo. End Summary.
--------------
Keep GCC Plus Two As Is, For Now
--------------
2. (C) The Ambassador and Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin
Ahmed Al Khalifa met December 28 and discussed the GCC Plus
Two mechanism, Iraq, Omani Minister Responsible for Foreign
Affairs Yousef Bin Alawi's December 27 visit to Bahrain,
Somalia, the status of the return of U.S. Navy dependents,
and Guantanamo, among other issues. Regarding the GCC Plus
Two, the Ambassador indicated that the United States found
that mechanism to be useful in developing a strong moderate
Arab voice on the range of regional issues. Shaikh Khalid
said that he had spoken recently with Kuwaiti Foreign
Minister Shaikh Dr. Mohammed, who had told him that there was
talk of inviting Palestinian President Abbas, Lebanese Prime
Minister Siniora, and a senior Iraqi official to the next
meeting. Shaikh Khalid thought it would be best to continue
meeting as the GCC Plus Two and not open participation to
other parties at this point, while the group was still
discussing policies and formulating a common vision. "It is
better to solidify our position first, then see where we are
going," he said.
3. (C) Shaikh Khalid said the group should help Abbas and
the Lebanese and Iraqi governments politically and
financially, but involving them in the process was
pre-mature. He also noted that including a president and
prime minister could introduce some awkwardness into a
previously foreign minister-level meeting. Shaikh Khalid
said that he and Kuwaiti FM Dr. Mohammed had agreed on these
points. He also noted that Dr. Mohammed had told him that
the next meeting might take place in Kuwait in mid-January.
Shaikh Khalid informed the Ambassador that he would be in
Asia and South Asia on official visits from December 31 to
January 22, and he hoped the next GCC Plus Two meeting would
take place after that time.
--------------
Iraqi Militias Need to be Disbanded
--------------
4. (C) The Ambassador asked about the GCC foreign ministers
meeting, which was supposed to have taken place in Bahrain
December 27 or 28. Shaikh Khalid said that it had been
postponed until at least mid-January at Saudi Arabia's
request. He noted that Qatari Foreign Minister Shaikh Hamad
bin Jassim had been asked to take some GCC points to
Washington, and asked if there had been any reaction to these
points. On Iraq, he said the GCC was willing to help the
Iraqi government but the militias need to be disbanded. The
great majority of Iraqis are scared of the militias, which
are linked to Al Qaida terrorists or Iran. "We need someone
in charge in Iraq who can stand up to the militias and get
the job done," he said.
--------------
Next Steps on Gulf Air
--------------
5. (C) In response to the Ambassador's question, Shaikh
Khalid said that Omani Minister Bin Alawi had come to Bahrain
to participate in the first meeting of the Bahrain-Oman joint
MANAMA 00002085 002 OF 002
committee. Bahraini and Omani officials had discussed next
steps on Gulf Air, which is owned by the two governments.
Shaikh Khalid said a new Swiss CEO would take up his duties
soon and would focus on addressing the airline's problems.
The Ambassador said that Boeing had presented a very good
plan to upgrade and improve Gulf Air's fleet. Shaikh Khalid
agreed that Boeing's proposal was a good one and said the
airline and Bahrain and Oman's finance ministers would need
to make decisions about the way ahead.
--------------
Qatar and the Islamic Courts Movement
--------------
6. (C) Shaikh Khalid stated that things were developing
rapidly in Somalia. He said that Qatar had submitted a draft
UN Security Council resolution calling for all foreign forces
to leave Somali territory. He wondered why Qatar had done
this and commented that he was surprised the Qataris were so
close to the Islamic Courts movement. As he had mentioned in
an earlier meeting, he said that Qatar had asked Bahrain to
meet with representatives of the Islamic Courts, but Bahrain
had refused.
--------------
Return of Navy Dependents, GTMO
--------------
7. (C) The Ambassador briefed Shaikh Khalid on Chief of
Naval Operations Admiral Mullen's December 27 meeting with
Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Shaikh
Khalid said that the Crown Prince was particularly interested
in the U.S. Navy allowing dependents to return to Bahrain,
emphasizing the positive role American family members
traditionally played in the country. He said that the DOD
Bahrain School also helps "forge friendships that last
forever."
8. (C) Shaikh Khalid raised the two remaining Bahraini
detainees at Guantanamo and asked that the USG review their
status. He said the local profile of the detainee issue
would rise when parliament starts holding regular sessions in
early January. The GOB would like to be able to respond to
parliamentary requests for information.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
MONROE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2016
TAGS: PREL BA REGION OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER TELLS AMBASSADOR THAT GCC PLUS
TWO SHOULD NOT BE ENLARGED (FOR NOW)
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid and the Ambassador
December 28 discussed next steps in the GCC Plus Two
mechanism, Iraq, Omani Minister Bin Alawi's visit to Bahrain,
Somalia, the status of U.S. Navy dependents, and Guantanamo,
among other issues. Shaikh Khalid urged that the GCC Plus
Two remain limited to the current participants during this
stage of discussing policies and formulating a common vision.
It could be enlarged if desired later on. He said the
planned late-December GCC foreign ministers meeting in
Bahrain had been postponed at the request of Saudi FM Prince
Saud. Bin Alawi had come to Bahrain to participate in the
first meeting of the Bahrain-Oman joint committee, and the
parties had discussed the future of Gulf Air, including
Boeing's business proposal. He urged the U.S. Navy to allow
its dependents to return to Bahrain and asked for an update
on the status of the two remaining Bahraini detainees at
Guantanamo. End Summary.
--------------
Keep GCC Plus Two As Is, For Now
--------------
2. (C) The Ambassador and Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin
Ahmed Al Khalifa met December 28 and discussed the GCC Plus
Two mechanism, Iraq, Omani Minister Responsible for Foreign
Affairs Yousef Bin Alawi's December 27 visit to Bahrain,
Somalia, the status of the return of U.S. Navy dependents,
and Guantanamo, among other issues. Regarding the GCC Plus
Two, the Ambassador indicated that the United States found
that mechanism to be useful in developing a strong moderate
Arab voice on the range of regional issues. Shaikh Khalid
said that he had spoken recently with Kuwaiti Foreign
Minister Shaikh Dr. Mohammed, who had told him that there was
talk of inviting Palestinian President Abbas, Lebanese Prime
Minister Siniora, and a senior Iraqi official to the next
meeting. Shaikh Khalid thought it would be best to continue
meeting as the GCC Plus Two and not open participation to
other parties at this point, while the group was still
discussing policies and formulating a common vision. "It is
better to solidify our position first, then see where we are
going," he said.
3. (C) Shaikh Khalid said the group should help Abbas and
the Lebanese and Iraqi governments politically and
financially, but involving them in the process was
pre-mature. He also noted that including a president and
prime minister could introduce some awkwardness into a
previously foreign minister-level meeting. Shaikh Khalid
said that he and Kuwaiti FM Dr. Mohammed had agreed on these
points. He also noted that Dr. Mohammed had told him that
the next meeting might take place in Kuwait in mid-January.
Shaikh Khalid informed the Ambassador that he would be in
Asia and South Asia on official visits from December 31 to
January 22, and he hoped the next GCC Plus Two meeting would
take place after that time.
--------------
Iraqi Militias Need to be Disbanded
--------------
4. (C) The Ambassador asked about the GCC foreign ministers
meeting, which was supposed to have taken place in Bahrain
December 27 or 28. Shaikh Khalid said that it had been
postponed until at least mid-January at Saudi Arabia's
request. He noted that Qatari Foreign Minister Shaikh Hamad
bin Jassim had been asked to take some GCC points to
Washington, and asked if there had been any reaction to these
points. On Iraq, he said the GCC was willing to help the
Iraqi government but the militias need to be disbanded. The
great majority of Iraqis are scared of the militias, which
are linked to Al Qaida terrorists or Iran. "We need someone
in charge in Iraq who can stand up to the militias and get
the job done," he said.
--------------
Next Steps on Gulf Air
--------------
5. (C) In response to the Ambassador's question, Shaikh
Khalid said that Omani Minister Bin Alawi had come to Bahrain
to participate in the first meeting of the Bahrain-Oman joint
MANAMA 00002085 002 OF 002
committee. Bahraini and Omani officials had discussed next
steps on Gulf Air, which is owned by the two governments.
Shaikh Khalid said a new Swiss CEO would take up his duties
soon and would focus on addressing the airline's problems.
The Ambassador said that Boeing had presented a very good
plan to upgrade and improve Gulf Air's fleet. Shaikh Khalid
agreed that Boeing's proposal was a good one and said the
airline and Bahrain and Oman's finance ministers would need
to make decisions about the way ahead.
--------------
Qatar and the Islamic Courts Movement
--------------
6. (C) Shaikh Khalid stated that things were developing
rapidly in Somalia. He said that Qatar had submitted a draft
UN Security Council resolution calling for all foreign forces
to leave Somali territory. He wondered why Qatar had done
this and commented that he was surprised the Qataris were so
close to the Islamic Courts movement. As he had mentioned in
an earlier meeting, he said that Qatar had asked Bahrain to
meet with representatives of the Islamic Courts, but Bahrain
had refused.
--------------
Return of Navy Dependents, GTMO
--------------
7. (C) The Ambassador briefed Shaikh Khalid on Chief of
Naval Operations Admiral Mullen's December 27 meeting with
Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Shaikh
Khalid said that the Crown Prince was particularly interested
in the U.S. Navy allowing dependents to return to Bahrain,
emphasizing the positive role American family members
traditionally played in the country. He said that the DOD
Bahrain School also helps "forge friendships that last
forever."
8. (C) Shaikh Khalid raised the two remaining Bahraini
detainees at Guantanamo and asked that the USG review their
status. He said the local profile of the detainee issue
would rise when parliament starts holding regular sessions in
early January. The GOB would like to be able to respond to
parliamentary requests for information.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
MONROE