Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MANAMA150
2007-02-15 13:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

AL HAKIM VISIT PROMPTS SUNNI CRITICISM

Tags:  PREL BA IZ REGION 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8888
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHMK #0150/01 0461356
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 151356Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6433
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY
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
-------

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.

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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.


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