Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MANAMA507
2007-06-04 14:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:
PRIME MINISTER AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS ECONOMIC AND
how-toVZCZCXRO4468 OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHMK #0507 1551411 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 041411Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6892 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000507
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2017
TAGS: PREL ETRD PGOV ASEC BA OFFICIALS BILAT
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS ECONOMIC AND
SECURITY RELATIONS
REF: MANAMA 0504
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000507
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2017
TAGS: PREL ETRD PGOV ASEC BA OFFICIALS BILAT
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS ECONOMIC AND
SECURITY RELATIONS
REF: MANAMA 0504
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
1. (C) Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
told the Ambassador June 3 that he had been pleased to meet
with the delegation from the U.S.-Bahrain Business Council
(USBBC) on May 29 (reftel). He said it was important for
visitors from the United States to meet with senior Bahraini
leaders. "If they don't talk to us, they could have the
wrong impression of Bahrain, " he said. (Note: His mention
of the "wrong impression" could have been a reference to a
CNN news item that ran June 1 reporting on poverty and
sectarian tensions in Bahrain. The CNN program generated
some angry editorial comment in two pro-government papers for
its alleged focus on the negative side of Bahrain.) The
Ambassador replied that the USBBC visit had been the first
trade mission to Bahrain since the signing of the
U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, and that members of the
delegation had developed leads and contacts. He noted that
bilateral trade had increased 50% in 2006, and it was up
another 50% in the first three months of this year compared
with the same period a year earlier.
2. (C) The PM lamented the security situation in Lebanon,
rhetorically asking, "Where did Fatah Al Islam come from?"
He thanked the United States for standing by and supporting
the Lebanese government and PM Siniora, and commented that
U.S.-Bahraini security relations were strong. The Ambassador
noted that our two governments would soon sign an MOU
covering security cooperation. The PM said Bahrain could
learn a lot from the U.S. in the security area, particularly
on surveillance and security management and administration.
3. (C) The PM said the Cabinet earlier that day had
discussed inflation and government subsidies. He emphasized
the importance of the local press getting the story right.
In response to the Ambassador's question, the PM agreed that
the Bahraini government could improve its press relations by
appointing a spokesperson, but it would have to be the right
individual. He is not happy with what is covered in the
press, which he said ignores achievements and plans for the
future and instead focuses on the negative.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
MONROE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2017
TAGS: PREL ETRD PGOV ASEC BA OFFICIALS BILAT
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER AND AMBASSADOR DISCUSS ECONOMIC AND
SECURITY RELATIONS
REF: MANAMA 0504
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.
1. (C) Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
told the Ambassador June 3 that he had been pleased to meet
with the delegation from the U.S.-Bahrain Business Council
(USBBC) on May 29 (reftel). He said it was important for
visitors from the United States to meet with senior Bahraini
leaders. "If they don't talk to us, they could have the
wrong impression of Bahrain, " he said. (Note: His mention
of the "wrong impression" could have been a reference to a
CNN news item that ran June 1 reporting on poverty and
sectarian tensions in Bahrain. The CNN program generated
some angry editorial comment in two pro-government papers for
its alleged focus on the negative side of Bahrain.) The
Ambassador replied that the USBBC visit had been the first
trade mission to Bahrain since the signing of the
U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, and that members of the
delegation had developed leads and contacts. He noted that
bilateral trade had increased 50% in 2006, and it was up
another 50% in the first three months of this year compared
with the same period a year earlier.
2. (C) The PM lamented the security situation in Lebanon,
rhetorically asking, "Where did Fatah Al Islam come from?"
He thanked the United States for standing by and supporting
the Lebanese government and PM Siniora, and commented that
U.S.-Bahraini security relations were strong. The Ambassador
noted that our two governments would soon sign an MOU
covering security cooperation. The PM said Bahrain could
learn a lot from the U.S. in the security area, particularly
on surveillance and security management and administration.
3. (C) The PM said the Cabinet earlier that day had
discussed inflation and government subsidies. He emphasized
the importance of the local press getting the story right.
In response to the Ambassador's question, the PM agreed that
the Bahraini government could improve its press relations by
appointing a spokesperson, but it would have to be the right
individual. He is not happy with what is covered in the
press, which he said ignores achievements and plans for the
future and instead focuses on the negative.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
MONROE