BAHRAIN: U.S. 60-DAY REPORT TO UN SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000488 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN, EB, NEA, IO, VCI, P, T TREASURY FOR TFI E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2017 TAGS: PREL KNNP EFIN BA IR REGION ROW SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: U.S. 60-DAY REPORT TO UN SECURITY COUNCIL ON UNSCR 1747 REF: A. STATE 73219 ¶B. ABU DHABI 0872 ¶C. MANAMA 0429 Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Pol/Econ Chief May 30 delivered Ref A demarche concerning the U.S. 60-day report on UNSCR 1747 to the UN Security Council to MFA Director for Bilateral Affairs Dr. Dhafer Al Umran. Al Umran confirmed that Bahrain had delivered its report to the UNSC and acknowledged the standing U.S. request (Ref C) for Bahrain to share with the United States the steps it had taken to implement sanctions, especially for Bank Sepah. He said he would reiterate the MFA's request to the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) for a written report that the MFA could pass to the Embassy. ¶2. (C) Per Ref B, Pol/Econ Chief informed Al Umran that Bank Sepah had participated in a one-year renewable $90 million syndicated Murabaha facility that matured on May 14, 2007, drawing from a Gulf Finance House press release from May ¶2006. The United States was concerned about GOB actions on the transaction, given UNSC sanctions on Bank Sepah. Al Umran said he would raise this with the CBB. ¶3. (C) Referring to news reports of the May 28 U.S.-Iran meeting in Baghdad, Al Umran said Bahrain was very happy that the U.S. had sat down with Iran. This was a good move at a good time that could lead to a decline in tensions in the region. Bahrain supports the U.S. as it deals with Iran, and U.S. engagement with Iran "allows us to support you better." Al Umran said that when Bahraini officials meet with Iranian counterparts, they stress that Iran has a golden opportunity to work constructively with the United States, and it should seize that opportunity. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE