Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANAMA289
2006-02-27 14:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

BAHRAIN: NO MEETINGS PLANNED WITH HAMAS

Tags:  PREL BA REGION 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

271412Z Feb 06
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000289 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2016
TAGS: PREL BA REGION
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: NO MEETINGS PLANNED WITH HAMAS

REF: STATE 27174

Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000289

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2016
TAGS: PREL BA REGION
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: NO MEETINGS PLANNED WITH HAMAS

REF: STATE 27174

Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) DCM delivered reftel points during a February 22
meeting with MFA Assistant Undersecretary for Coordination
and Follow-up Shaikh Abdul Aziz Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa.
Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that although he was not aware of any
visits to Bahrain by members of Hamas, the U.S. points were
not unlike the message the GOB would deliver to a Hamas
representative. The evolution of Hamas from the opposition
into a governing role required the development of responsible
positions and actions.


2. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz expressed surprise at the strength
of the initial U.S. "denouncement" of Hamas, but said that
the Secretary's February 21 public comments in Cairo helped
to clarify the U.S. position. Cutting off the Palestinians'
financial lifeline is not helpful. Hamas should be given an
opportunity to prove themselves independent of past
activities and without external pressures that may undermine
their efforts. He suggested a "behind the scenes" approach
worked in consultation with allies to push Hamas forward
rather than confrontation.


3. (U) Separately, the press reported February 27 that a
political societies coordination committee had proposed to
the GOB that the societies support and financially assist a
Hamas-led government in the face of U.S. and Israeli economic
restrictions. The government offered no comment on the
proposal.

MONROE