INTERAGENCY DELEGATION DISCUSSES GULF SECURITY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 MANAMA 000898 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR PM, NEA OSD FOR PDUSD HENRY NSC FOR DORAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2016 TAGS: PREL PARM MARR MASS KDEM KMPI BA IR REGION BILAT, OFFICIALS SUBJECT: INTERAGENCY DELEGATION DISCUSSES GULF SECURITY DIALOGUE WITH MFA REF: A. MANAMA 848 ¶B. STATE 76798 Classified by Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) An interagency delegation led by Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Henry and Assistant Secretary of State Hillen met with MFA Assistant Under Secretary Shaikh Abdul Aziz May 14 and discussed the Gulf Security Dialogue, Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI),the Iranian challenge, possible sanctions against Iran, and U.S.-Bahrain relations, including the National Democratic Institute (NDI) program in Bahrain. Shaikh Abdul Aziz said Bahrain welcomes enhanced engagement with the U.S. on security issues. It is important for the GOB to show its citizens that the U.S. treats Bahrain as an equal partner in developing its regional policies. He affirmed that Bahrain would join PSI soon. On Iran, Shaikh Abdul Aziz said, "We need to pull the rug out from under them." Some internal opposition may develop to the Iranian regime's policies once the international community decides upon its path to deal with Iran. If Iran is ostracized by the rest of the world, Bahrain would follow suit and take a stand regionally. On NDI, Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that Shaikh Khalid had sent a letter to DNSA Abrams explaining Bahrain's position. Bahrain supports NDI and wants to work with it, but the GOB believes the former director was not balanced in the services he provided to Bahrain's political societies. End Summary. -------------- Launching the Gulf Security Dialogue -------------- ¶2. (C) An interagency delegation led by Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Henry and Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs Hillen met SIPDIS with MFA Assistant Under Secretary for Coordination and Follow Up Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa May 14 and discussed the Gulf Security Dialogue, Proliferation Security Initiative, Iran, possible UN sanctions against Iran, and U.S.-Bahrain bilateral relations. Participating on the U.S. side were PDUSD Henry, A/S Hillen, Ambassador Monroe, NSC Senior Director for Near East and North African Affairs Doran, Central Command Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy ADM Moeller, PM Chief of Staff Ruggiero, Military Assistant COL Graham, and Pol/Econ Chief (notetaker). On the Bahraini side were Shaikh Abdul Aziz, MFA Director for Bilateral Affairs Dhafer Al Umran, and Hashem Mansoor. ¶3. (S) PDUSD Henry opened the meeting by stating that the delegation was meeting with friends in the region to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to its allies and to speak frankly about Iran. A/S Hillen added that the U.S. was a steadfast ally and its friends should not feel they need to respond to Iranian pressure on them. Launching a Gulf Security Dialogue would allow the U.S. and GCC countries to have a ministerial-level discussion on defense cooperation, Iraq, regional stability and Iran, energy security, counter-proliferation, and counter-terrorism. He raised the prospect of a ministerial meeting around the time of the UN General Assembly. The U.S. would explore practical ways to assist Bahrain, some options being providing additional security assistance, linking GCC air defenses, and coordinating further on intelligence. -------------- -------------- Bahrain Appreciates Enhanced Engagement with U.S. -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz said the recent visits by Counselor Zelikow and Under Secretary Joseph had been fruitful and Bahrain appreciates holding consultations with the United States on a frequent basis. The GOB wants to know that the U.S. takes its concerns into account when developing its thinking on the region. Some in Bahrain resent the country's strong bond with the United States and, if the government is seen to be engaging with the U.S. as an equal partner, it makes the government's life easier. MANAMA 00000898 002 OF 003 ¶5. (C) On PSI, Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that Bahrain would adopt the Statement of Interdiction Principles soon. The MFA would provide final approval soon via diplomatic note. Bahrain wants its territorial waters to be safe, free of smuggling and terrorist activities (Ref B). -------------- -- Internal Iranian Opposition Best Path to Change -------------- -- ¶6. (C) Turning to Iran, Shaikh Abdul Aziz said the Iranians are skilled at taking advantage of any opportunity they see. "We need to pull the rug out from under them," he said. The Iranians have conducted a campaign of engagement with its Gulf neighbors. During his recent visit, Foreign Minister Mottaki extended an invitation for King Hamad to come to Iran. NSC Secretary General Larijani went to the Gulf States to reassure them that Iran would not develop WMD. The nuclear program has united the country on nationalist grounds, although there may be some internal opposition to President Ahmadi-Nejad once the international community decides on the path it will take to deal with the Iranian nuclear program. Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that internal opposition to the regime is the best way to get change there. It is not in the region's interest to see an escalation in the confrontation with Iran. ¶7. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz recommended building a unified stance around the Gulf to isolate Iran. Getting a strong Iraqi government into place is an important aspect of Gulf unity. When Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid met with Mottaki recently, he said that Iran must abide by IAEA rules. There is no double-standard and Iran has duties and responsibilities like any other country. ¶8. (C) Director Doran said the centerpiece of U.S. efforts on Iran was action in the UN Security Council. The UNSC track represents a third option, separate from the extremes of either accepting a nuclear Iran or going to war. The U.S. sees fissures in the Iranian leadership on tactics related to the nuclear program, but not on the ultimate goal of a complete fuel cycle on Iranian territory, which is a red line for the U.S. A UNSC decision could exacerbate fissures in the regime. Economic sanctions represent the stick. But we could offer the carrot of supporting a civilian nuclear program in Iran to create a wedge between the government and people. -------------- Ostracizing Iran -------------- ¶9. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that if Iran is to be ostracized by the rest of the world, Bahrain would take a stand regionally. Bahrain has stood up to Iran before and can do so again. Bahrain wants a WMD-free region, he said, noting that the nuclear reactor at Bushehr is closer to Bahrain than Tehran. Iran values its position and credibility in the international arena and will want to avoid losing its stature. ¶10. (C) With regard to UNSC sanctions, Shaikh Abdul Aziz commented that uniting the GCC is easier said than done. There is a lot of smuggling to Iran from the UAE, in particular from Dubai, and people will question why Bahrain should suffer by imposing sanctions while others benefit. Sanctions would have to implemented in a uniform way. -------------- Complaints About NDI -------------- ¶11. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz affirmed that U.S.-Bahraini relations are very strong. He said that some people question the relationship, pointing to issues such as the departure of the National Democratic Institute project director as a source of friction. As Crown Prince Salman told Deputy National Security Advisor Abrams during their March meeting in Washington, Bahrain has no problem with NDI and believes in what NDI does. The problem, according to Shaikh Abdul Aziz, is the NDI director, who does not look upon Gulf regimes in a positive way. He was selective in deciding MANAMA 00000898 003 OF 003 which political societies he would assist, whereas his services should have been available to all. He noted that Shaikh Khalid had just sent a letter to DNSA Abrams explaining Bahrain's position on NDI (Ref A). Issues like NDI, however, are the "nitty gritty," Shaikh Abdul Aziz said, while there is broad agreement on the principles of the bilateral relationship. Director Doran said it would be best for Bahrain to reestablish relations with NDI as soon as possible. ¶12. (U) PDUSD Henry and A/S Hillen cleared this cable. MONROE