BAHRAIN APPROVES CWC HOST COUNTRY AGREEMENT, SEEKS

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000301

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, ISN/CB, L
OSD FOR NONPROLIFERATION POLICY - DR. COOPER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2016
TAGS: PARM PREL MARR OPDC BA BILAT
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN APPROVES CWC HOST COUNTRY AGREEMENT, SEEKS
EXPEDITIOUS SIGNING

REF: A. MANAMA 165

B. STATE 17334

C. MANAMA 116

D. 05 STATE 103859 AND PREVIOUS

Classified by Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).


1. (U) This is an action request; please see para 4.


2. (C) The MFA informed the Embassy by dip note (text in
para 5) that the GOB agrees to sign a Chemical Weapons
Convention (CWC) Host Country Agreement with the United
States, with the text as delivered by the DOD team during its
December 11, 2005 visit to Bahrain (Ref C). MFA Director for
International Organization Affairs Ghassan Shaikho told
Pol/Econ Chief February 28 that Foreign Minister Shaikh
Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa will sign on behalf of the GOB.
He would like to sign the agreement as soon as possible.
Echoing the question in the dip note, Shaikho asked who would
sign on behalf of the United States.


3. (C) Shaikho hailed the agreement as a win-win, saying it
covered both countries in the event of a CWC challenge
inspection. He termed it an "administrative agreement" to
cover procedures related to a possible inspection. Shaikho
confirmed that the GOB wants the agreement to remain
confidential, not to be shared with anyone outside the two

SIPDIS
governments. The signing ceremony itself should be done with
only officials present, with no press coverage or cameras.


4. (C) Action Request: Post requests Washington
authorization for the Ambassador to sign the Host Country
Agreement Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the USG.
Post also requests guidance on preparation of the MOU text
and protocolary and diplomatic procedures for the signing.


5. (C) Begin text of diplomatic note:

Kingdom of Bahrain
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
International Organizations Directorate

Ref: 3/6/7-61743
Date: February 22, 2006

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain
presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States
of American in the Kingdom of Bahrain and has the honor to
refer to the proposal made by the United States of America
regarding signing an agreement with the Kingdom of Bahrain
about inspection procedures pertaining to the Chemical
Weapons Convention.

The Ministry has the pleasure to notify the Embassy that the
Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain agrees to sign the above
agreement. H.E. Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al
Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will sign the agreement
representing the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The Ministry requests that the esteemed Embassy notify it
about who will represent the Government of the United States
in signing this agreement.

The Ministry avails itself of this opportunity to renew to
the esteemed Embassy the assurances of its highest
consideration.

End Text.

MONROE