BAHRAIN: MAY 6 GCC HEADS OF STATE CONSULTATIVE

S E C R E T MANAMA 000797

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/06/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER MOPS BA REGION BILAT OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: MAY 6 GCC HEADS OF STATE CONSULTATIVE
MEETING

REF: A. WHITE HOUSE DTG 051219Z MAY 06


B. STATE 68574

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


1. (S) In a meeting covering several subjects (septels),the
Ambassador May 6 delivered Ref A letter from the President
and Ref B demarche on the GCC heads of state Consultative
Meeting to Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al
Khalifa a few hours before the Minister and King Hamad
departed for the meeting. Shaikh Khalid was pleased to
receive the letter and demarche and pledged to pass the
package to the King. Delivering Ref B oral points, the
Ambassador stressed that Bahrain should take concrete,
tangible steps to support the new Iraqi government. It
should issue positive statements, invite the Iraqi Foreign
Minister to visit Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid could visit Baghdad,
there could be reciprocal visits of business leaders, and
Bahrain could send an Ambassador to its embassy in Baghdad.


2. (S) Shaikh Khalid said that Bahrain welcomed developments
in the political system in Iraq, especially the choosing of a
prime minister. The GOB will issue a positive public
statement when a government is formed. At the Consultative
Meeting, the heads of state will discuss development of a GCC
statement welcoming the government, to be issued following
government formation. Bahrain wants the GCC to offer support
for and contact with all Iraqis, Sunni, Shia, and Kurd. The
GCC should not leave the field open for Iran to interfere.


3. (S) On Iran, Shaikh Khalid said the primary outcome of
the Consultative Meeting would be a common GCC position on
Iran. He said the GCC needs to be firm on the nuclear issue.
If there is a confrontation, Iran should know that the GCC
holds it responsible for the consequences. Iran did not
consult with the GCC when it launched its nuclear program,
with a reactor on the shores of the Gulf. The Foreign
Minister said Bahrain is concerned and worried, and the GCC
states need to show that they are in full agreement with each
other on Iran. He continued that Bahrain is working hard
internally to prepare itself for the worst - a major regional
confrontation or Iranian attack.


4. (S) The Ambassador stated that the U.S. was pursuing the
diplomatic channel to address the nuclear issue. At some
point, it is very possible that we will be looking at ways to
increase the pressure on Iran, through targeted sanctions or
travel restrictions imposed by the UN or the international
community. Iran has launched a campaign of engagement with
countries in the region, sending senior officials on visits
and talking publicly about the possibility of deals on
natural gas. The countries in the region will have decide
what to do if/when there are sanctions.


5. (S) Shaikh Khalid replied that Bahrain would apply
sanctions against Iran if they are the result of UN Security
Council resolutions, and therefore have "international
legitimacy." If necessary, the GOB will close Iranian banks
in Bahrain. Bahrain has no problem with applying sanctions,
he said. Shaikh Khalid cautioned, however, that the U.S.
should be careful about Dubai. He said the Dubai - Iran sea
passage would be a busy thoroughfare, "like Route 66," for
smuggled goods.

MONROE