AL HAKIM VISIT PROMPTS SUNNI CRITICISM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000150 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2017 TAGS: PREL BA IZ REGION SUBJECT: AL HAKIM VISIT PROMPTS SUNNI CRITICISM REF: MANAMA 0117 Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) In a statement issued following his February 8 meeting with Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, King Hamad stressed Bahrain's interest in a secure, stable, united, and independent Iraq and offered Bahrain's support to rebuild the country. In an interview following the meeting, Al Hakim said he had explained internal and external Iraqi affairs on the understanding that the entire region is concerned about instability in Iraq. Several Sunni Bahraini organizations and prominent individuals condemned the visit, asking how the government could allow someone "involved in organized killing and terrorism" into the country. A senior MFA official told the DCM that the King, in accepting Al Hakim's request to visit, had felt it was important to "meet with both sides" on Iraq. End Summary. -------------- King Expresses Support for Iraq -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq Abdul Aziz Al Hakim visited Bahrain and met with King Hamad February 8 as part of a regional tour. In a press statement issued after the meeting, the King said that he stressed Bahrain's interest in seeing a secure, stable, united, sovereign, and independent Iraq. He expressed hope and confidence that the Iraqi people would overcome their ordeal and confront the challenges facing them in this difficult period. The King underlined the need to end the suffering of the Iraqi people and offered Bahrain's support to rebuild Iraq. He said that all Iraqis, regardless of their doctrines or political affiliation, should work together to cement unity and strengthen national institutions. The release continues that Al Hakim briefed the King on the latest developments in Iraq and expressed his appreciation for the King's support. ¶3. (SBU) In an exclusive interview with Al Wasat newspaper, Al Hakim said the Iraqi government is keen to have strong relations with Arab countries, especially its Arab neighbors. He said the purpose of his visit was to clarify Iraq's internal and external affairs in the understanding that the entire region is concerned about instability in Iraq. With regard to allegations that Iran interferes in Iraq, he stated, "We do not accept that any country can interfere in Iraqi affairs and if any country was doing so in a negative way, we must deal with it transparently. There are so many accusations and suspicions, but not everything that is said is accurate." -------------- Sunnis Complain About Hosting "Terrorist" -------------- ¶4. (SBU) As reported reftel, the Sunni Salafi Al Asala political society issued a statement February 7 demanding that the government reject the entry of Al Hakim to the country. The Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Al Minbar political society also issued a statement February 8 calling for fighting sectarianism in Iraq and stopping the death squads and assassinations. Al Minbar proposed that Bahrain invite others active on the Iraqi scene to clarify their views. Independent Salafi MP Jassim Al Saeedi told the press February 9 that he would ask the Interior Minister to answer questions about why Al Hakim was granted an entry visa. He continued that the Bahraini people are strongly offended by the visit and warned that "we have to show him and his group that we refuse to receive him because he is involved in organized killing and terrorism." -------------- Bahraini Concern About Sectarianism -------------- ¶5. (C) When asked by the DCM February 14 about the visit, MFA Assistant Under Secretary Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa said that Al Hakim had made a request to visit Bahrain while on a tour of other Gulf States. Although some Sunni political societies had objected to the visit, Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that King Hamad had "seen the need to meet with both sides" regarding matters in Iraq. Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that he had not yet heard details of the meeting, but indicated that the King would have raised his concern that sectarianism is the biggest problem in the region and is MANAMA 00000150 002 OF 002 the most serious issue for Bahrain. ¶6. (C) Iraqi Ambassador to Bahrain Ghassan Mohsen Hussein, who did not participate in the meeting with the King at Al Hakim's request, told the Ambassador February 14 that Al Hakim had asked to come to Bahrain, and so the Bahraini government had issued an invitation. Al Hakim had also asked to visit the UAE and Saudi Arabia on the same trip and, although the UAE invited him, Saudi Arabia did not respond, possibly because they were preoccupied with the Mecca meeting and planning for Putin's visit. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) Although Al Hakim's visit was sure to inflame the passions of local Sunni Islamists, it was a useful way for Bahrain to engage and seen to be engaged on Iraq. Al Minbar's suggestion that the GOB invite other prominent Iraqi politicians to visit Bahrain is a good one. The GOB would better understand their perspective and could provide political cover and moral support for their work within the Iraqi government. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE