Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MANAMA370
2007-04-20 06:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

BAHRAINI LEADERSHIP WELCOMES NEW NAVCENT/FIFTH

Tags:  PREL MOPS BA REGION OFFICIALS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1522
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMK #0370/01 1100652
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 200652Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6740
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000370 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS BA REGION OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: BAHRAINI LEADERSHIP WELCOMES NEW NAVCENT/FIFTH
FLEET COMMANDER

REF: MANAMA 356

Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe. Reasons: 1.4 (B)(D)

-------
SUMMARY
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000370

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS BA REGION OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: BAHRAINI LEADERSHIP WELCOMES NEW NAVCENT/FIFTH
FLEET COMMANDER

REF: MANAMA 356

Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe. Reasons: 1.4 (B)(D)

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) In a series of introductory calls with the Bahraini
leadership, NAVCENT/Fifth Fleet Commander Vice Admiral
Cosgriff heard a consistent message of support for Bahrain's
long-standing relationship with the U.S. Navy and Bahrain's
commitment to continued future support. "You can always
count on us as your friend and ally," stressed Foreign
Minister Shaikh Khalid. Shaikh Khalid indicated that Bahrain
would soon respond positively to the USG invitation to
Bahrain to join the PSI Operational Experts Group. Defense
Minister Shaikh Khalifa suggested that our two countries
revive the Military Planning Committee Working Group, which
has not met since 2003, to update planning on terrorism
scenarios. Concern about Iran was a second major theme of
the discussions, with all interlocutors worrying about the
Iranian threat to Bahrain and the region.

--------------
VICE ADMIRAL MEETS THE BAHRAIN LEADERSHIP
--------------


2. (C) Over the last two weeks, newly-arrived NAVCENT/Fifth
Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Kevin Cosgriff, accompanied by
Ambassador, carried out a series of introductory calls on
Bahrain's senior leadership, expressing his appreciation for
the long and continuing support that the U.S. Navy has
received from the government and people of Bahrain, and
looking forward to continuing close cooperation during his
stay in Bahrain. This cable summarizes Vice Admiral
Cosgriff's discussions with Crown Prince Shaikh Salman, Prime
Minister Shaikh Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh
Mohammed bin Mubarak, Defense Minister Shaikh Khalifa,
Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid, and Interior Minister Shaikh
Rashid. Reftel reported on his meeting with King Hamad.

-------------- --------------
STRONG ENDORSEMENT FOR U.S. PRESENCE IN THE REGION
-------------- --------------


3. (C) All of Admiral Cosgriff's interlocutors praised the
long and positive role that the U.S. Navy has played in
Bahrain and the Gulf. The Crown Prince expressed pride in
Bahrain's long relationship with the United States, stating:

"We need you here, and stand ready to assist you." The Prime
Minister hailed the long-term continuity of the relationship,
contrasting it to the British who "one day said they were in
the Gulf for the long haul and two days later announced that
they were leaving." DPM Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak said
that the Bahraini people understand that the U.S. presence
here is for the good of the region. "People should not
criticize the U.S. for being here," he stated. "They should
remember that the U.S. is here at the invitation of the
countries of the region."


4. (C) Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid wished Admiral Cosgriff
full success during his stay in Bahrain, stressing that the
U.S. "can always count on us as your friend and ally," He
observed that prosperity and security in the region is not
just the responsibility of the U.S., but also of the
countries of the Gulf, which is why we must stand together.
In that connection, he welcomed more joint military exercises
and said that, having consulted with the Ministry of Defense,
he expected to forward to the Embassy soon a positive
response to the U.S. invitation for Bahrain to participate in
the PSI Operational Experts Group.


5. (C) Further on the question of cooperation, Defense
Minister Shaikh Khalifa suggested that our two countries
schedule a meeting of the Military Planning Committee Working
Group, which has not met since October 2003. Shaikh Khalifa
said it could be useful for this working group to plan for
contingencies and review possible terrorism scenarios. He
said that Bahrain would like to do joint exercises with the
U.S. to enhance force protection and defend against potential
terror threats, especially against the base. In a similar
vein, Minister of Interior Shaikh Rashid, noting that his
ministry was participating in a major consequence managementQ
exercise at the Navy base next week, praised the
well-established and close cooperation with the U.S. Navy.
All doors are open, he stated. He fondly recalled when
Bahrain had hosted Eagle Resolve under the Cooperative
Defense Initiative (when he was at the Ministry of Defense),

MANAMA 00000370 002 OF 002


and wished Bahrain could host such a multilateral consequence
management event again. (Comment: Qatar will be hosting it
this year for the third year in a row; now that Shaikh Rashid
is at Ministry of Interior, Eagle Resolve is not directly in
his lane to host. End comment).

--------------
SECURITY/NAVY DEPENDENTS
--------------


6. (C) The Crown Prince, observing that "we went through a
tough period" with the departure of the Navy dependents in
2004, expressed hope that dependents could return and gave a
strong endorsement for the Bahrain School, noting that he has
two children at the school and has a strong personal interest
in the school's success and security. Interior Minister
Shaikh Rashid stressed the importance he places on "keeping
you safe." Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed recalled
the positive role that Navy families had played in Bahrain,
and said "people want them here."

--------------
CONCERN ABOUT IRAN
--------------


7. (C) A common theme in all of the meetings was continuing
concern about Iran and its intentions. DPM Shaikh Mohammed
said flatly that "Iran is a threat to the region. When a
country puts a higher priority on developing its military
than on developing its economy, I don't trust it. We've
seen it before, with Egypt, Libya, and Iraq, and now with
Iran." He noted that the economies of all of the countries
of the Gulf are booming except one -- Iran, whose economy is
deteriorating. Iran is a neighbor, so Bahrain wishes it well.
"You can change your friends," he said, "but not your
neighbors." He added that, concerns about Iran's intentions
notwithstanding, Bahrain does not advocate the use of force.
This is a UN issue, he stated, and Bahrain hopes the UN and
the international community will take the necessary steps to
resolve the issue.


8. (C) The Prime Minister touched on Iran briefly, noting his
lack of trust of the Iranians by saying that Iran reaches out
with one hand in friendship while going behind your back to
others with the other hand. Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid
stated that it is incumbent on Iran to change its policy.
Transparency by the Iranians on the nuclear issue is
paramount, he stressed.


9. (C) Minister of Interior Shaikh Rashid said that he was
struck, during his March visit to Washington, how in every
office he visited - State, FBI, CIA, Navy -- there was such
heavy focus in his discussions on the threat from Iran. "For
us," he said, "Iran has always been the number one threat."
Bahrain does not trust Iran, he stated, and has to be
prepared for attempts by Iran to disturb the peace inside
Bahrain. He expressed concern about Iranians moving money
out of Iran through Bahrain, and vowed that the Bahraini
government would be active in implementing UN resolutions to
prevent this. While he expressed concern about the role of
the Shia mullahs in Iran (he called them the real
"generals"),he said that this was not an Iranian or Shia
threat, but in fact a Persian threat -- meaning it has always
been the Persian ambition to control the Gulf.


10. (C) The Crown Prince urged that the U.S. Navy (and the
USG) stand strong in deterring the Iranians. He expressed
concern about the situation in Iraq, and urged that the U.S.
focus hard on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, saying
that progress on that front can be a real catalyst for
changing the situation in the Middle East.

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