MFA SEEKS FAVORABLE RESOLUTION TO NDI'S STATUS IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000092

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA, NEA/ARPI, NEA/PI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KMPI BA REFORM OFFICIALS POL
SUBJECT: MFA SEEKS FAVORABLE RESOLUTION TO NDI'S STATUS IN
COUNTRY

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


1. (C) During a January 21 meeting with Foreign Minister
Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa covering several subjects
(septels),the Ambassador stated that the U.S. Government
strongly supported the National Democratic Institute's (NDI)
democracy project in Bahrain and was concerned about the
January 8 diplomatic note from the MFA directing NDI to cease
any activities until it concludes a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) governing its status in the country.
Shaikh Khalid said the MFA sent the note at the instruction
of the Royal Court, noting the GOB's concern that NDI not
work in the country while its status is unresolved. The
Ambassador responded that NDI had been working in Bahrain for
several years with an unclear status. NDI's negotiating
partner and possible host institution, the Bahrain Institute
for Political Development (BIPD),was insisting on conditions
that would make it impossible for NDI to do its work. The
primary issue is BIPD's demand that NDI work only with the
Institute, rather than directly with political and civil
society groups, as it does now. He noted that NDI will work
with BIPD but must have the freedom to interact directly with
other stakeholders in society.


2. (C) Shaikh Khalid affirmed that the GOB highly values
NDI's contributions to democracy and wants the project to
remain in country. He understood there was a dispute between
NDI and BIPD on the substance of the MOU and wondered whether
the cause of the problem was personalities at BIPD. The
Ambassador said that NDI's attorney was in direct contact
with BIPD and would soon propose revised language to BIPD's
draft MOU to address NDI's concerns. Shaikh Khalid agreed
that NDI and BIPD representatives needed to meet, talk, and
negotiate to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution. He
asked to see the counterproposal and offered to get involved,
saying "we'll make sure an agreement is reached." He
concurred that NDI needs to have direct contact with
political and civil society leaders. Bahrain did not want to
lose this opportunity to advance its democracy because of
"hard-headed people" at BIPD.


3. (SBU) The NDI Bahrain program manager told Pol/Econ Chief
later that day that he received a phone call and request to
meet from BIPD board chair Lulwa Al Awadhi, which he termed
an unprecedented event. Al Awadhi expressed her strong
interest in completing negotiations over the MOU and looked
forward to reviewing the NDI attorney's counterproposal. The
NDI rep attributed the phone call to general pressure on the
GOB to reach a favorable compromise and appreciated Shaikh
Khalid's offer to assist in bringing the negotiations to a
conclusion.


4. (C) The Ambassador made the same points to Minister of
Industry and Commerce (and confidante to the King) Hassan
Fakhro January 23. Fakhro took the message on board, saying
he was aware of the problems NDI was encountering in
finalizing its status. He was fully supportive of NDI and
said that Bahrain needs the organization to continue to
operate in the country.

MONROE