Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MANAMA882
2007-09-17 14:03:00
SECRET
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

KING HAMAD AND AMIR OF QATAR AGREE ON GAS TALKS;

Tags:  ENRG PGOV PINR PREL BA 
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VZCZCXRO9395
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMK #0882 2601403
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 171403Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7246
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC PRIORITY
RHRMDAW/NAVCENTMETOCCEN BAHRAIN PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
S E C R E T MANAMA 000882 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2017
TAGS: ENRG PGOV PINR PREL BA
SUBJECT: KING HAMAD AND AMIR OF QATAR AGREE ON GAS TALKS;
NEW INFORMATION ON KING HAMAD'S HEALTH

REF: MANAMA 873

Classified By: AMBASSADOR ADAM ERELI FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) ABND (D)

S E C R E T MANAMA 000882

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2017
TAGS: ENRG PGOV PINR PREL BA
SUBJECT: KING HAMAD AND AMIR OF QATAR AGREE ON GAS TALKS;
NEW INFORMATION ON KING HAMAD'S HEALTH

REF: MANAMA 873

Classified By: AMBASSADOR ADAM ERELI FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) ABND (D)


1. (S) On instructions from King Hamad, Bahrain,s National
Security Advisor Ahmed Khalifa al Khalifa summoned the
Ambassador to provide an update on Bahrain,s efforts to
strike a gas deal with Qatar. Ahmed Khalifa told us that the
Amir of Qatar and Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim had flown
to Manama on a private visit this past Saturday, September

15. In a dinner with Bahrain,s King and Crown Prince, they
agreed to resume talks on a gas deal between Qatar and
Bahrain and delegated their energy ministers to begin
technical discussions.


2. (S) They agreed to form a joint corporation to finance and
build a causeway between the two countries, which would also
include the gas pipeline. Ahmed Khalifa didn,t have further
details, but added that further to our earlier conversations
(reftel),King Hamad wanted us to be aware of what he
considered an important development.


3. (S) During a free-flowing discussion on other matters, the
Ambassador asked Ahmed Khalifa why, if the King,s health was
on the mend, it was necessary to postpone his scheduled
meeting with President Bush on November 5. Ahmed replied that
the King had indeed made a full recovery, but added he would
have to return (presumably to England) for a follow-up exam,
which made the trip to the U.S. impossible. When pressed,
Ahmed said that the King had had a small &tumor8 removed
from his neck. &Thank God it was nothing,8 he said of the
test results and added that the King had received treatment
to prevent a recurrence.

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ERELI