BAHRAIN: REPORTING IRAN TO THE UNITED NATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000091 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2016 TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL AORC BA IR OFFICIALS REGION ROW SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: REPORTING IRAN TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL REF: A. STATE 8416 ¶B. STATE 6236 Classified by Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) This is an action request; please see para 5. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador January 21 delivered Ref B demarche concerning reporting Iran to the UN Security Council to Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. Shaikh Khalid said that he had met recently with the EU-3 Ambassadors, who had requested Bahrain's support. He told them that Bahrain's position is to defend the legitimacy of international institutions. Bahrain supports the IAEA holding an emergency meeting on Iran's nuclear program and, if the IAEA votes to refer the matter to the UNSC, Bahrain will support this as well. At the recent summit in Abu Dhabi, GCC heads of state issued a communique calling for a Middle East, and in particular the Gulf region, free of nuclear weapons. ¶3. (C) Shaikh Khalid noted that he would visit Iran January 28-29, following several requests by the Iranian leadership. It is a reciprocal visit following Iranian FM Mottaki's trip to Bahrain in late 2005. He anticipates meeting with President Ahmadi-Nejad, Mottaki, Rafsanjani, and possibly Ayatollah Khamenei. He will deliver a message that Iran must be transparent, open, and completely cooperative with the IAEA, and not jeopardize peace and security in the region. Bahrain will not go against an international consensus on Iran. Shaikh Khalid commented that Iran has a "special inkling" for Bahrain, and he wants to keep it a benign inkling. ¶4. (C) Shaikh Khalid said that Bahrain shares U.S. concerns about Iran's nuclear program. The Gulf is the region most vulnerable to potential Iranian hostility. Countries in the region are embarking on economic reforms, development, and democratization, and need the U.S. to look at beefing up the security and defenses of the region. Bahrain is interested in deploying Patriot missiles and a more sophisticated air defense system. Bahrain needs U.S. support to fend off countries and entities supporting terrorism and tyranny in the region. ¶5. (C) Action Request: Shaikh Khalid requested USG input in developing his message to the Iranian government. He will depart for Tehran on Saturday, January 28. We request Washington guidance for delivery to Shaikh Khalid by COB Tuesday, January 24 (Wednesday is the end of the Bahraini government workweek) or at the latest by COB Friday, January ¶27. MONROE