BAHRAIN: DEMARCHES ON MUQTADA AL SADR

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000399 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2016 TAGS: PREL PTER KDEM PGOV BA IZ REGION SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: DEMARCHES ON MUQTADA AL SADR REF: A. STATE 29931 ¶B. STATE 27111 Classified by DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). (C) Pol/Econ Chief March 11 delivered Ref A and B demarches concerning Muqtada Al Sadr's role in Iraqi politics and regional visits to MFA Director for Bilateral Affairs Dhafer Al Umran. Al Umran affirmed that Bahrain has no interest in meeting with Al Sadr and pledged that, should Al Sadr ever be in Bahrain, the government would have him meet with low-level officials only. MONROE