Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MANAMA406
2007-05-02 14:37:00
SECRET
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

BAHRAIN: NEW WAY FORWARD ON IRAQ

Tags:  PREL MARR MASS MOPS BA IZ REGION 
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VZCZCXRO3330
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHMK #0406 1221437
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 021437Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6775
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
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).

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.


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