BAHRAINI FOREIGN MINISTER AFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR IRAQ

UNCLAS MANAMA 000898 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KMDR IZ BA SUBJECT: BAHRAINI FOREIGN MINISTER AFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR IRAQ ¶1. (U) Speaking at the special conference on Iraq at the United Nations in New York September 22nd, Bahrain's Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa affirmed "Bahrain's support of Iraq and of the Iraqi Government in its efforts to reinforce its national reconciliation." He also commented on "the importance of finding a clear mechanism to face regional problems, and the importance of regional cooperation." He stressed the key role of neighboring countries in "preserving Iraq's borders and preventing meddling in its internal affairs." ¶2. (U) The government-owned Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported the Foreign Minister's remarks and all the major local news outlets gave prominent coverage to the BNA account. ERELI