CROWN PRINCE AND CNO DISCUSS REGIONAL THREATS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000007 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2016 TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS ASEC BA BILAT REGION OFFICIALS SUBJECT: CROWN PRINCE AND CNO DISCUSS REGIONAL THREATS Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) . -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Crown Prince Shaikh Salman and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Mullen discussed on December 27 the U.S.-Bahrain relationship and regional threats including Iran and Iraq. The CP praised the United States for providing stability and security in the region and asked about the status of the return of Navy dependents to Bahrain, saying the dependents had promoted people-to-people relations between Americans and Bahrainis. The CP said Iran is "outside the box," projecting its strength beyond its borders. The U.S. should talk to Iran from a position of strength and give a chance to those who want to settle problems peacefully. He warned that Iran's nuclear program could drive clandestine programs across the region. He recommended that the U.S. draw down its troops in Iraq to a 50,000-member rapid reaction force. Doing so would force the Iraqi government to shoulder its security responsibilities and push it to ask its Arab neighbors for help. He urged that Maliki visit Iraq's Arab neighbors, not just Iran. ADM Mullen praised Bahrain's participation in regional combined naval task forces, and the CP said Iran should see us working together. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and CNO Admiral Mullen December 27 discussed the U.S.-Bahrain military relationship, Iran, Iraq, and regional military operations, among other issues. Participating on the Bahraini side were Defense Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, President of the CP's Court Shaikh Khalifa bin Daij Al Khalifa, and the CP's oldest son Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. Accompanying ADM Mullen were the Ambassador and NAVCENT Commander Vice Admiral Walsh. -------------- Bahrain Shoulder-to-Shoulder with U.S. -------------- ¶3. (C) The Crown Prince opened the meeting by stating that Bahrain is America's friend, in good times and bad. Bahrain has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the U.S. for years and would continue to do so. Bahrain appreciates what the United States does for stability and security in the region, which lives in relative peace because of the U.S. presence. He continued that NAVCENT and the Fifth Fleet have played a crucial role in Bahrain for a long time. ADM Mullen indicated that he had just met with several hundred sailors at the Navy base and they are positively engaged in this strategic location. ¶4. (C) In response to the Crown Prince's question about force protection, ADM Mullen said he had toured the DOD Bahrain School and noted big security improvements there. There is strong support for the school in Washington. He said the decision to pull out dependents in 2004 was not intended to be permanent. The CP said terrorists will be with us for a long time. Regardless of the society, its background or degree of development, there are those who are into a "cult of death," but we cannot let them win. He said that the Navy dependents over the years had played an important role in Bahrain's cultural life. They supported issues and causes and had direct dealings with Bahraini citizens. People-to-people contact is critical in promoting bilateral relations. He also noted that U.S.-Bahrain security and intelligence cooperation had improved greatly. ADM Mullen agreed that direct contact - living and working side-by-side - generates a positive impact. He said that if the Navy decided to allow dependents to return, it would be done slowly. Shaikh Salman said he hoped for progress. -------------- Iran Outside the Box -------------- ¶5. (C) The Crown Prince said there is great concern about Iran, which represents a dangerous threat to regional stability and security. Iran has projected its strength beyond its borders. "They are outside the box," the CP said. He recommended that the United States talk to Iran but from a position of strength. This would give a chance to those who want to settle problems peacefully. But Iran should know that the U.S. stands by its friends, and Shaikh Salman suggested holding a regional joint military exercise "to show we are united." He said there should be an effort to break Syria away from Iran, a first step in "cutting the tentacles MANAMA 00000007 002 OF 002 of the Iranian octopus." There can be no agreement to trade away the independence of Lebanon, but Syria's influence with Hizballah and Hamas should be reduced. ¶6. (C) Defense Minister Shaikh Khalifa added that while everyone is busy with Iraq, Iran might try to take advantage. He suggested that Iran be fought from the inside, not the outside, noting that Iran was weak economically. The CP said there should be multilateral diplomatic pressure from Russia, China, and the United States on Iran to give up its nuclear program, but the U.S. must also focus on deterrence and containment. He warned that the Iranian nuclear program could drive clandestine programs across the region, a dangerous development. "We don't want nukes in this part of the world," he said. The Defense Minister said that Iran has many small boats that can carry missiles. ADM Mullen said the U.S. Navy could handle Iran, but their capabilities had improved a lot. -------------- Iraq Needs Assistance of Arab Neighbors -------------- ¶7. (C) Changing subjects, the Crown Prince warned that Iraq would never be a model for democracy in the region in the short-term. He said the Maliki government is weak and national institutions are being infiltrated by Iranian and criminal elements. He proposed that the United States draw down its presence to a 50,000-member rapid reaction force that would allow the U.S. to intervene when necessary. But the Iraqi government would have to take on the responsibility for providing security, forcing it to request assistance from its Arab neighbors. In this scenario, U.S. forces would be freed up to deal with other regional challenges. ADM Mullen said the discussion now was about a surge of troops into Iraq. "My answer is 'No'," the CP said. He also advised not to leave small groups of troops around the country because they could become targets. In response to ADM Mullen's question, the CP said that Maliki should visit his Arab neighbors, not just Iran. "We have the impression that Maliki is half in Iran's pocket," he said. -------------- Joint Exercises -------------- ¶8. (C) ADM Mullen praised the Bahraini Navy's participation in Combined Task Force (CTF) 152 and in the recent Proliferation Security Initiative Leading Edge exercise. He hoped Bahrain's neighbors would come to participate in the same way, saying Bahrain's leadership was critical. The Crown Prince said he had talked to Saudi Crown Prince Sultan about doing a joint exercise with the U.S. "Iran must see us working together," he said. The CTFs are a great example of the United States and its allies building coalitions in the region. Defense Minister Shaikh Khalifa said Bahrain wants to refit and improve its missile boats and requested the U.S. Navy's assistance to upgrade their fire control and radar systems. The CP said Bahrain wants to help the United States remain strong and effective in the region. ¶9. (C) Shaikh Salman noted that he had just returned from a visit to Pakistan, which was much more developed than he had expected. He called Pakistan a valuable ally in the war on terror. ADM Mullen said that the U.S. military had worked closely with the Pakistani military to provide earthquake relief. He indicated that those more senior Pakistani officers who had participated in U.S. exchange programs were easier to deal with than the younger officers, who could not enroll in U.S. training programs. The Crown Prince said that military exchanges breed deep, sustainable relationships. ¶10. (U) ADM Mullen cleared this cable. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE