AL-WIFAQ HEAD SHAIKH ALI SALMAN PESSIMISTIC ABOUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000672

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/16/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL BA POL
SUBJECT: AL-WIFAQ HEAD SHAIKH ALI SALMAN PESSIMISTIC ABOUT
DEMOCRATIC PROGRESS

Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

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Summary
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1. (C) In a farewell meeting with the Ambassador, Al-Wifaq
head Shaikh Ali Salman expressed frustration with his
experience in Parliament since becoming an MP late last year,
saying that the current system stifles debate, makes it
difficult to pass laws (not to mention constitutional
changes),and limits parliament's oversight capability. He
urged development of an action plan to guide the way forward
to a more representative democracy. Al-Wifaq MP Khalil
Al-Marzooq suggested that the U.S. urge the GOB to work
toward a more transparent election system (including doing
away with general polling stations) and combat government
corruption more effectively. On the issue of mistrust
between the Shia community and the government, Salman said
that people have been talking about this mistrust for 20
years, and what is needed is concrete action to build trust
to move forward together. At the same time, he said that
sectarianism was worse now than in the past, extending to the
roots of the two communities. The Ambassador stressed that
the USG and President Bush remain committed to encouraging
continued democratic reform in Bahrain and the region,
reminded Salman of the various democracy-related programs we
have conducted in Bahrain, and assured that the new
Ambassador would continue to support democracy in Bahrain.
End summary.


2. (C) Meeting with the Ambassador at its new office for its
Council of Representative (COR) members, leading Shia
political society Al-Wifaq secretary general and head of its
bloc in parliament Shaikh Ali Salman sought assistance from
the U.S. to urge the Bahrain government to speed up the pace
of democratic reform. Expressing frustration, he said that
before becoming an MP he thought he would be able to
accomplish more within the parliament, but now feels he
cannot even speak out on issues of concern because of a rigid
parliamentary system that stifles adequate open discussion.
"We won't achieve anything through the parliament," he said
pessimistically. "The whole process is under the hand of the
King and the Prime Minister. They can stop all efforts we
make. It is just a show." Salman said that he reflects
every day on whether he is doing the right thing by
participating and whether he should leave the parliament.
Only through the encouragement of his Al-Wifaq colleagues has
he persisted even this long. He said that parliament needed
to be further empowered through constitutional changes to
include increased oversight powers to combat corruption. He
said that under the current system, MPs are not able to
initiate action against any government official even if there
are signs of involvement in corruption.


3. (C) The Ambassador asked Salman what Al-Wifaq would like
the USG to do. Salman suggested that there needs to be an
action plan that will guide a more transparent way forward,
leading to a more representative democracy. He said that the
community cannot wait another 15-20 years for there to be
meaningful change; there needs to be significant offerings to
the people soon. Fellow MP and Legislative Affairs Committee
head Khalil Al-Marzooq raised the issue of the recently
released TIP rankings, which lowered Bahrain to Tier 3,
saying that the GOB responds quickly when pressure of this
sort is applied by the U.S. If there were similar pressure
applied in the area of democratic reform, the GOB would
respond, he maintained. The Ambassador pointed out that the
comparison was problematic because, on the issue of
trafficking, the Government is fully committed to taking
action and there is no fundamental disagreement on the pace
or scope of action needed. On democratic reform, the
Government contends that it is managing the process at the
proper pace and is much more sensitive about perceived
"interference" in internal affairs. That said, the
Ambassador reaffirmed that the USG and President Bush remain
strongly committed to encouraging greater democratic reform
in Bahrain and the region, reminded Salman of the broad range
of MEPI programs the USG has sponsored in support of
democracy, and assured that the new Ambassador would remain a
strong supporter of democracy in Bahrain.


4. (C) Al-Marzooq outlined three specific areas in which the
U.S. could push for greater democratic reform. First, the
U.S. should urge the GOB to work toward a more transparent
election system, including doing away with the general
polling stations, which were seen to be a source of
manipulation of the election. Second, it should encourage
the government to combat corruption by enforcing existing
laws and being willing to investigate allegations of

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corruption rather than protecting those against whom
allegations have been leveled. And third, it should
recognize that Bahrain is not really going in the right
direction in terms of representative democracy. He said that
under the 1973 constitution, 75 percent of parliamentary
seats were elected by the people and the rest were appointed,
but now there are only 50 percent who are elected (the
King-appointed Shura Council, or upper house, has the same
number of seats, 40, as the elected COR). Fellow Al-Wifaq MP
Jalal Fairooz commented that the people feel they are living
in the 18th century as they watch the King and PM control all
aspects of the economy and politics in the country.


5. (C) The Ambassador raised the issue of mistrust between
the Shia community and the government. Salman said that
people have raised the issue of mistrust for 20 years, but no
one has taken any concrete steps to build trust. "We can
continue to merely talk about the lack of trust, but we don't
actually get anywhere. We need to take real action to build
trust and move forward together." Al-Marzooq said that
Al-Wifaq is in the difficult position of being accused of
being loyal to Iran as Shiites, but on the other hand, it is
also accused of being supported by the U.S. (Comment: This
may be a reference to previous NDI programs that were alleged
by some to be focused solely on empowering the opposition,
read Shia.) Salman stated that sectarianism is worse now
than in the past, extending to the roots of both the Sunni
and Shia communities. People used to reject sectarianism and
say they were brothers first, but now there are continual
attempts to divide the Bahraini community. Referring to
loyalty, Salman said, "We are Shia, and we do have religious
ties to Iran but not political ties. We wish people would
believe us."


6. (C) Comment: Ali Salman and his colleagues were in a
strikingly pessimistic mood during this meeting. The
frustration no doubt reflects both the slow progress
addressing issues of concern in the parliament and also
recent criticism he has received from constituents during a
series of open meetings conducted by Al-Wifaq. And there is
no doubt that Ali Salman faces a daunting challenge as he
maneuvers between hard-line Shia critics who have rejected
his attempt to work within the system and the Government and
its Sunni supporters who do not fully trust Al-Wifaq and its
intentions. Although he talked of possible resignation, this
does not seem likely at this time. Resignation would be a
tacit admission that what the Haq Movement advocates, total
rejection of the current political system, has been the right
course all along. Salman has invested much political capital
in Al-Wifaq's participation, and his colleagues will do all
they can to prevent his departure. And in urging support for
a more transparent, representative electoral system, Salman
and his colleagues were tacitly acknowledging the importance
of preparing the ground for the 2010 elections, an indication
that their preference is to stay within the system.

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