BAHRAIN: NEW WAY FORWARD ON IRAQ

S E C R E T MANAMA 000406 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR NEA, PM/RSAT E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2017 TAGS: PREL MARR MASS MOPS BA IZ REGION SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: NEW WAY FORWARD ON IRAQ REF: A. MANAMA 0400 ¶B. STATE 55436 Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) In response to Ref B request, post evaluates that Bahrain has no will or ability to contribute military resources to coalition operations in Iraq. Bahrain deployed troops and assets in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, but these were to defend Kuwait and Bahrain and were not sent to Iraq itself. Bahrain has joined the naval coalition, based in Bahrain, and its navy now participates in CTF-152 operations in the central Gulf, but it is unwilling to proceed further north to support operations off of Iraq. Although Bahrain provides political support for U.S. policy objectives in Iraq, it has been cautious in its dealings with the Iraqi government. The Iraqi Ambassador in Bahrain has been frustrated by his inability to secure high level appointments for senior visiting Iraqi officials including, for example, an envoy PM Maliki wished to send to deliver a message to the Bahraini government. Bahrain's leaders, like their counterparts in other GCC countries, are somewhat suspicious of the Maliki government and want to see more action to confront Shia militias and reconcile with the country's Sunni population (Ref A). Following the wounding of its Charge d'Affaires in Baghdad in 2005, Bahrain withdrew its only Bahrain-based diplomat and is unlikely to send diplomats back until it perceives an improved security situation. ¶2. (S) Bahrain has greater capacity to work with Iraq in non-military areas, particularly in finance. The Bahrain Institute for Banking and Finance, a respected institution regionally, has provided several training sessions for Iraqi Central bankers, government officials, and financial sector leaders, some also involving Federal Reserve, other USG, and IMF officials. Bahraini medical facilities have offered health care free of charge for needy Iraqis. Bahrain can serve as a location for business and investment related activities, leveraging its open economy and free trade agreement with the United States. For example, Bahrain will host the Gulf Iraqi Expo in November 2007, the first exhibition organized by the Iraqi Ministry of Trade in the Gulf region. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE