BAHRAIN: WAY FORWARD ON UN REFORM

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000099

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2016
TAGS: PREL KUNR PHUM KDEM BA UN ROW OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: WAY FORWARD ON UN REFORM

REF: A. STATE 4746


B. STATE 4651

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


1. (C) The Ambassador January 21 delivered Ref A demarche
concerning the way forward on UN reform to Foreign Minister
Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa in a meeting covering
several subjects (septels). Shaikh Khalid said that Bahrain
supports U.S. efforts in the reform process and promised to
get back to us with more details after studying the U.S.
position.


2. (C) On UN Security Council reform, Shaikh Khalid noted
that Japan had requested Bahrain's support to join the
Council as a permanent representative, which Bahrain agreed
to do. In return, Bahrain asked for and received Japan's
support for Shaikha Haya Al Khalifa's candidacy to be
president of the UN General Assembly for the session
beginning in September 2006. Shaikh Khalid asked the
Ambassador for the support of the United States for Shaikha
Haya. He said she is qualified, experienced, would do a very
good job, and would promote a positive image of women in the
Gulf. She would be a prominent example of women's
empowerment, a core issue for U.S. reform and democratization
efforts in the broader Middle East region. He reminded the
Ambassador that this was not the first time Bahrain has
formally requested U.S. support for Shaikha Haya's candidacy.

MONROE