AMBASSADOR CALLS ON NEW MINISTER OF STATE FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000012

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/04/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV BA BILAT OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR CALLS ON NEW MINISTER OF STATE FOR
FOREIGN AFFAIRS

REF: A. 06 MANAMA 2061

B. 06 MANAMA 2031

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


1. (C) The Ambassador December 28 called on newly appointed
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Nizar Al Baharna
and discussed bilateral relations, the internal political
situation in Bahrain, the National Democratic Institute
project in Bahrain, UN Security Council Resolution 1737
dealing with Iran, and Bahraini detainees at Guantanamo. Per
Ref B, Al Baharna replaced Dr. Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar as
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, with Abdul Ghaffar
retaining his position as Minister of Information. Al
Baharna received a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the
University of Wales, UK, served as CEO of Nizar Consulting
and the Technologies and Consulting Group/Middle East, and
was elected second vice president of the Bahrain Chamber of
Commerce and Industry in 2005. He was a founding member of
leading Shia opposition political society Al Wifaq and is the
first Al Wifaq member to be a minister.


2. (C) The Ambassador emphasized that the United States and
Bahrain have a very strong relationship, starting with the
U.S. Navy in the 1940s and diplomatic relations since the
early 1970s. The commercial side of the relationship has
traditionally been weaker than other aspects, but the
U.S.-Bahrain free trade agreement, which entered into force
in August 2006, will help build bilateral economic relations.
Al Baharna said it was very important that the FTA result in
benefits for all Bahraini citizens.


3. (C) The Ambassador noted that the U.S. and Bahraini
governments share an interest in promoting democratic
reforms. Al Baharna said that things are progressing in
Bahrain but there will always be ups and downs. The GOB
wants to boost relations and trade with the United States and
provide a better life for the people. He continued that Al
Wifaq's participation in the elections and parliament had
been a significant development. Referring to Al Wifaq's
boycott of the King's address to a joint session of
parliament December 15 (Ref A),he said Al Wifaq had
delivered its message to the government and it was now time
to get its act together. Al Wifaq has to learn to separate
its interests from those of the country overall, and he
commented that Al Wifaq leaders tend to see things in
individual, personal terms.


4. (C) In response to Al Baharna's comment that new
parliamentarians need training on best practices, the
Ambassador said that the National Democratic Institute (NDI)
project for Bahrain could assist. Bilateral relations had
taken a blow when the NDI project director was forced out of
Bahrain in May 2006. People could not understand how
Bahrain, a regional leader on reform, had kicked out NDI.
Bahrainis had participated in an NDI program in Washington in
November, and we were looking for ways to continue the
cooperation. Al Baharna said he would help on NDI, if
possible.


5. (C) The Ambassador briefed the Minister on UNSCR 1737,
which applies sanctions on Iran. Al Baharna said that under
Khatami, it had been possible to have a dialogue with Iran.
With Ahmadi-Nejad, however, it was very difficult.
Al Baharna raised the issue of the two remaining Bahraini
detainees at Guantanamo and asked for USG support in
returning them to Bahrain. He said that some deputies in
parliament would focus on this situation and apply a lot of
pressure on the Foreign Ministry.


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