AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES SECURITY ISSUES WITH INTERIOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000333

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, S/CT, DS/IP/NEA AND DS/IP/ITA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2016
TAGS: ASEC BA PGOV PHUM PTER OFFICIALS BILAT CTR
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES SECURITY ISSUES WITH INTERIOR
MINISTER SHAIKH RASHID

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


1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador, in a February 12 meeting with
Minister of Interior Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa,
discussed recent Ashoora celebrations in Bahrain, reviewed
worldwide reactions to the release of Danish cartoon
depiction's of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed, and was provided
with an update on the status of the Joint Counterterrorism
Center. The Minister and MOI officials provided background on
a case involving allegations of police abuse, concluding the
allegations had not held up under investigation. End summary.

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Ashoora celebrations in Bahrain
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2. (C) The Ambassador began the meeting by offering his
congratulations on the orderly celebrations surrounding the
recent Ashoora holiday. The Minister confirmed the
celebrations were peaceful, suggesting it was yet another
example of how things had changed in Bahrain. While there
were no significant incidents reported during the Ashoora
celebrations and no reported injuries or property damage, the
Minister highlighted one recent incident involving protesters
gathering in response to the Danish cartoon depicting the
Muslim Prophet Mohammed. During one peaceful protest, newly
established community police units identified and took
immediate action to remove American and Israeli flags located
on the ground adjacent to a Danish flag. While it was not
uncommon to see or hear the occasional anti-American
sentiment during such protests, the Minister stated
authorities had not identified any strong anti-American focus
in any of the protests.

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Worldwide Protests Against Danish Cartoon
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3. (C) The Minister went on to suggest the reactions to the
Danish cartoons were "not a pure Danish pastry", suggesting
possible involvement by both Iranian and Syrian authorities
to arouse anti-western passions. Shaikh Rashid assured the
Ambassador his office would closely monitor the impact
ongoing events worldwide were having in Bahrain and notify
the Embassy of any specific threat or concerns. To date,
protests in Bahrain have been limited and non-violent.

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Continued Concerns Over Iran
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4. (C) the Ambassador raised the issue of Iran's nuclear
program. Shaikh Rashid stated he was in agreement with the
recommendation to move the issue to the U.N. Security
Council. While he agreed to a country's right to pursue such
technology in the interest of civilian use, he stated Iran
was using the program to raise nationalist issues and he
believed they had every intention of pursuing a weapons
program. He suggested that with Israel possessing nuclear
weapons, it should be no surprise that Iran would use the
argument of needing a counter force within the Muslim world.
Unfortunately, the Iranian government tended to think of
itself more as Shia rather than Muslim. Shaikh Rashid raised
the importance of continued international pressure and the
need to work closely with Bahrain and other Gulf nations to
prepare contingency plans to counter the growing threat from
Iran. The Minister highlighted the significance of the recent
Eagle Resolve exercise and stressed the need for similar
exercises in the immediate future in order to establish,
among other things, regional integrated air defenses.

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Joint Counterterrorism Center
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5. (C) On the Joint Counterterrorism Center (JCTC),Public
Security Chief General Abdul Latif Zayani said the structure
scheduled to house the center is still undergoing
renovations, equipment needs have been identified and
purchase orders submitted, and staffing levels are being
finalized. The Ambassador reiterated the importance of
moving forward on the establishment of the JCTC as quickly as
possible, and urged the Minister to continue to give his full
support for the center.

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Musa Abd Ali Case
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6. (C) Finally, the Ambassador raised the issue of Musa Abd
Ali, the Bahraini national who claimed to have been abducted
and abused by security forces. The Minister said the case was
thoroughly investigated by Ministry of Interior staff and had
been turned over to the General Attorney's office for
follow-up. Shaikh Rashid commented that it was police
officials who originally persuaded Ali to formally report the
allegations and aggressively pursued the case in an effort to
identify the alleged assailants. After a thorough
investigation, the Minister stated he believed the
allegations were completely false, suggesting the entire
incident was fabricated. The Minister then asked MOI
investigators to review the status of the case with the
Ambassador.


7. (C) Public Security Chief Zayani took the Ambassador to
his office and called in two independent British Crime
advisors who had observed the investigation of the case, to
provide a detailed account of the case. They were
subsequently joined by the Chief Bahraini investigator
responsible for the case. In separate accounts, they
outlined inconsistencies in the allegations and their
conclusion that, based on what they learned, the incident did
not take place. A more detailed explanation of the meeting
has been sent to the Department via separate channels.
MONROE