BAHRAIN: DEMARCHE ON NPT PREPCOM

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000386 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARP, ISN/MNSA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2017 TAGS: PREL PARM MNUC KNNP ENRG BA ROW SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: DEMARCHE ON NPT PREPCOM REF: STATE 54147 Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Pol/Econ Chief April 24 delivered reftel demarche concerning the April 30 - May 11 NPT PrepCom to MFA Assistant Under Secretary for Coordination and Follow Up Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa. Shaikh Abdul Aziz listened closely to the information on the U.S. position on the issues to be addressed at the PrepCom and stated that for the first time, Manama-based officials (representatives of the MFA's legal affairs and international organizations directorates) would participate in the full two weeks of the NPT PrepCom. This is indicative, he said, of the importance the GOB places on the issue of nonproliferation at this time. ¶2. (C) Noting that the GCC had taken a decision to join the IAEA and explore the possibility of developing a nuclear power capability, Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that Secretary General ElBaradei had visited the GCC headquarters in Saudi Arabia in mid-April and explained the steps the GCC would have to take to accede to the organization. Bahrain, Shaikh Abdul Aziz pledged, would be entirely by-the-book and transparent in its dealings with the IAEA. Bahrain hopes to accede to the IAEA by September. ¶3. (C) Responding to the points in the demarche, Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that Bahrain agrees entirely with the United States' focus on nonproliferation and demanding Iranian compliance with the international community's requirements. He said that when Bahraini officials meet with Iranian counterparts, they stress that Iran must be transparent and clearly show its true intentions. The Bahrainis also declare that the GOB fully supports the IAEA and the international community on this issue. ¶4. (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that the Bahraini delegates to the NPT PrepCom, Ms. Nejah Rashid and Mr. Waheed Sayyar, would be available for consultations with the U.S. delegation, if there is interest from the American side. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE