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