DEMOCRACY ACTIONS: BAHRAIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000713

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/26/2017
TAGS: KMPI KPAO SCUL PGOV PHUM BA HUMRIT
SUBJECT: DEMOCRACY ACTIONS: BAHRAIN

REF: STATE 88465

Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe. Reasons: 1.4 (B)(D)


1. (C) Per reftel request, Embassy continues to actively
promote democracy and democracy-related programs, and the
Ambassador, in close coordination with POL and PAS, made this
an important theme of his farewell calls and press
interviews. Examples:

-- In a prominent, full-page interview June 24 with the
Arabic daily Al-Ayam (also published in Al-Ayam's English
language sister paper, The Bahrain Tribune),the Ambassador
highlighted the U.S. Government's support for participation
in parliamentary elections and strengthening the role of
parliament, and reaffirmed the USG's support for resuming NDI
programming in Bahrain.

-- During a July 11 visit to Bahrain by NDI representatives,
the Ambassador accompanied the NDI reps to a key meeting with
the leadership of the Bahrain Institute for Political
Development to make clear USG support for a return of NDI
programming in Bahrain. Despite some critical local press
play in the run-up to the visit, the meeting concluded
successfully with an agreement to resume NDI programming in
Bahrain in the fall.

-- In a July 16 interview with Arabic daily Al-Wasat editor
Mansour Al-Jamri the Ambassador addressed the specific issue
of support for democracy in general and NDI's programming in
particular, generating the headline: "U.S. Ambassador William
Monroe says in an interview: Bahrain has benefited from the
free trade agreement and has not given up on democratization
projects."

-- Also on July 16, the Ambassador paid a farewell call on
Shaikh Ali Salman, the leader of the main Shia parliamentary
political society Al-Wifaq, which successfully participated
in the 2006 parliamentary elections after boycotting the 2002
elections. During the meeting, the Ambassador reaffirmed
U.S. support for democracy in Bahrain and reviewed the kinds
of MEPI-funded assistance programs the USG has offered in
support of democracy, civil society, and the rule of law.

-- On July 18, the Ambassador met with Dr. Abdullah Al Derazi
of the Bahrain Human Rights Society to get his take on the
democratic process in Bahrain and to affirm USG support for
democracy.

-- On July 19, the Ambassador met with Dr. Jassim Al-Ajmi,
President of the Bahrain Transparency Society to likewise get
his take on democracy developments in the country and affirm
USG support for democracy in Bahrain.


2. (U) In addition, over the last month, the Embassy has
engaged with the following local and international
organizations in Bahrain to promote democracy and civil
society programming:

-- The Embassy, in conjunction with the MEPI regional office
and the Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS),has finalized a
statement of work for a small grant project with BHRS to
leverage BHRS's annual human rights report to strengthen
civic activism and respect for human rights. BHRS will use
the grant to increase general public awareness of its
findings through a billboard campaign, and will make
presentations and share policy recommendations with
government officials, members of parliament, and influential
members of Bahrain's public.

-- The Embassy, in conjunction with the MEPI regional office
and the Migrant Workers Protections Society (MWPS),has
approved a draft statement of work for a small grant project
with MWPS to organize a national seminar on the rights of
foreign laborers and the problem of trafficking-in-persons.
MWPS will also conduct a training workshop for civil society
representatives and develop a website resource from which to
share information on problems experienced by foreign workers
and the importance of protecting their rights.

-- Poloff met July 18 with a representative of the Institute
of International Education (a MEPI grantee) to discuss and
formalize cooperation on a Women in Technology project with
representatives of the Bahrain Women's Union and the Aiesha
Yateem Center. The project aims to increase the capability
of women in the use of computers.

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Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
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MONROE