AL WIFAQ LEADER OUTLINES CONCERNS ABOUT OVERCOMING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MANAMA 000225 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/06/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL KISL BA POL SUBJECT: AL WIFAQ LEADER OUTLINES CONCERNS ABOUT OVERCOMING POLITICAL CHALLENGES Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) . -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Secretary General of Shia political society Al Wifaq and MP Shaikh Ali Salman told the Ambassador March 5 that there was "nothing encouraging" about the current parliamentary session, which opened in mid-December 2006. He complained that although Shias represent 75 percent of the electorate, they hold only 17 of 40 seats in the Council of Representatives. He identified redrawing electoral constituencies, along with constitutional reform and regularizing naturalization, as Al Wifaq's top political priorities. In the economic field, Al Wifaq is pursuing a policy of non-discrimination in government services, especially employment. In the long term, Salman said the King should remain in his position but the prime minister should be elected by the people. He acknowledged the U.S. priority in promoting democracy, but said it could push harder in Bahrain. The hardline Haq Movement represents a challenge to Al Wifaq, and Salman wants to achieve progress in parliament to justify Al Wifaq's decision to enter the political system. End Summary. -------------- -------------- Constituencies, Constitution, Top Political Priorities -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Leading Shia political society Al Wifaq Secretary General and member of parliament Shaikh Ali Salman, in a March 5 meeting, told the Ambassador "there was nothing encouraging" so far in the parliamentary session that opened in mid-December 2006, following the first elections in four years. He admitted that there was some positive interaction between the various political blocs, but he expected an "unfavorable atmosphere" to take hold. Although Shias comprise 75 percent of the electorate (his estimate),they won only 17 of 40 seats in the elected lower house Council of Representatives (COR). He identified reform of the electoral constituencies as one of Al Wifaq's major political objectives. Al Wifaq is not demanding the constituencies be drawn to mirror the percentage of the Shia population in society, but, in his view, Shias should be able to win at least 50 percent of the seats. Although Al Wifaq won 17 or the 18 races it contested, it would not have had a chance in �A;any of the other districts because of their sectarian composition, he said. ¶3. (C) In response to the Ambassador's question about Al Wifaq's political priorities, Salman emphasized the importance of achieving consensus on the way ahead to amend the constitution. Al Wifaq has many concerns about the 2002 constitution, but it is not demanding that changes be made right away. Rather, it wants to work with the government to map out the path to future changes. He said he had tried to open the subject with Minister of the Royal Court Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa (Comment: Who plays a highly influential role in the political maneuverings of the King's Court),but he would not engage. -------------- --- Naturalization, Discrimination Feed Unemployment -------------- --- ¶4. (C) Also prominent among Al Wifaq's priorities, Salman said, is the issue of naturalization. There were widespread allegations during summer and fall 2006 that the government was granting citizenship to hundreds or thousands of foreign workers whose loyalties lie with the government. Salman noted that the issue was discussed in Salah Al Bandar's (infamous) report, which alleged a broad conspiracy run by a senior member of the Royal Family to support regime-friendly candidates in the elections. In Shaikh Ali's view, Al Bandar's discussion of naturalization gives credibility to those who believe the government is trying to alter the long-term demographics of the country - a prospect he called "frightening." ¶5. (C) Al Wifaq is pursuing a policy of non-discrimination in government services, Salman continued. Shias face discrimination in employment, education, and promotions. He said he had asked the Interior Minister to tell parliament how many Sunnis and Shias his ministry employs. The Minister claimed he was unable to answer because he did not know an employee's sectarian affiliation. Salman said that when Shias had the same opportunities as Sunnis for employment in government ministries, unemployment would no longer be a MANAMA 00000225 002 OF 003 political issue. ¶6. (C) Recalling a recent discussion with the Labor Minister, the Ambassador said that the government was taking measures to address unemployment. Salman agreed, saying Al Wifaq was working with the Crown Prince and Labor Minister on labor reform, but he complained that the government was not doing enough. The main issue is employment in the Ministries of Interior and Defense, where naturalized citizens and other expatriates get jobs but Shia Bahrainis do not. The government is steering Shia job seekers toward the private sector, but wages and job security are both lower there compared with government jobs. He recognized that the private sector should be the engine of job growth, but thought the government should provide assistance to low earners. -------------- Building Confidence Through Common Interests -------------- ¶7. (C) The Ambassador suggested that Al Wifaq find a way to build Sunni confidence that their rights, as a minority, would be protected. Similarly, Sunnis have to convince Shias that they should be part of the system. Salman replied that both Bahrain's Sunnis and Shias should have rights because "they live here and belong here." But the idea of sharing is important. Al Wifaq, he said, will try to build trust. In the COR, "I want to have a chance to convince the other deputies" of Al Wifaq's point of view. Working together in areas where the Royal Court does not have strong interests could be fruitful. However, he said, "if the government calls the 22 loyalists (in the COR),the deputies will do what the government wants." ¶8. (C) Additionally, Salman said, the Bahraini government does not need good relations between Sunnis and Shias. In his view, the government feels that its role is to defend Sunnis from the Shia majority. They think "Sunnis are Arabs, and Shias belong to Iran. Sunnis have the wealth, and they want to keep it." The GOB is afraid of the sects coming together because of possible demands to share the country's wealth. Taking the theme further, Salman said that the government often says, "You belong to Iran." But what is their evidence, he asked. "I was born here, live here, and will die here. I was put in jail and exiled. But I am not an agent for another country - not Iran, the United States or any other." -------------- Goal an Elected Prime Minister -------------- ¶9. (C) Al Wifaq's vision for the future, Salman said, is that in 10 or 20 years, the King will still be in his position, but the prime minister "will come from the people." He wants a stable country with more democracy. "How many more years until we have a constitutional monarchy," he asked, in which the prime minister is elected by the people. There is no democratic regime in the Arab world. Leaders use excuses like Islam, problems with Israel, the U.S., or Iran to avoid making changes. Addressing political Islam, he said "the people are in charge of this world, not Allah," implying that although he is a cleric, he is guided by real world interests and not religion. ¶10. (C) Salman admitted that King Hamad had made some reforms, but Bahrain was not a democracy. He does not foresee a day when the head of state leaves his position voluntarily, "like the U.S. president." These days, there is more talk of reform and change in the region. But people said the same things 50 years ago, and there has not been significant progress since then. By comparison, change came to Eastern Europe and Russia in the space of only 3-4 years. He identified three reasons for the lack of change. First, regimes do not want to give up power. Second, in many countries, the people do not have the capability to speak with one voice to demand democracy because they are divided by sect, or between Islamists and secularists. Third, the U.S. and UK work with the regimes to pursue their national interests. He acknowledged that the United States was pushing for reform, but its enthusiasm had waned in the past two years. Salman said the U.S. could push harder in Bahrain. -------------- Haq Movement Represents Challenge -------------- ¶11. (C) In response to the Ambassador's question, Salman admitted that the hardline Shia Haq Movement represents a MANAMA 00000225 003 OF 003 challenge for Al Wifaq. What the young people are doing in the streets, burning tires and making a lot of noise, he said, is not right. He expects that Haq will continue to ask Al Wifaq what it has accomplished by joining the political system. He said he tells the government that it should let parliament achieve something for the people as a way to disarm Haq, improve stability, and identify mid- to long-term solutions. But if Haq supporters decide to take to the streets, "I can't control them and it is not my responsibility." -------------- Comment -------------- ¶12. (C) Salman's somber mood could indicate the pressure he feels to take on the daunting political challenges his group faces, particularly in the medium to long term. Salman has shown himself to be a shrewd political operator when he needs to be, and at times a genuine leader of the Shia community. He will need to use all of his abilities, working within the parliament and with the government, to generate enough successes to justify Al Wifaq's participation in the political system. He currently has the support of the street to pursue Shia interests in parliament, but that support will not last forever. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE