Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MANAMA705
2008-10-14 13:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:
BAHRAINI FM WILL SEEK THE SECRETARY'S SUPPORT FOR
how-toVZCZCXRO5267 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHMK #0705 2881323 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 141323Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8193 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0303 RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000705
SIPDIS
BAGHDAD FOR AMBASSADOR ERELI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2028
TAGS: PREL IS IR TU BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAINI FM WILL SEEK THE SECRETARY'S SUPPORT FOR
HIS REGIONAL INITIATIVE
REF: A. MANAMA 678
B. MANAMA 677
Classified By: CDA Christopher Henzel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000705
SIPDIS
BAGHDAD FOR AMBASSADOR ERELI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2028
TAGS: PREL IS IR TU BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAINI FM WILL SEEK THE SECRETARY'S SUPPORT FOR
HIS REGIONAL INITIATIVE
REF: A. MANAMA 678
B. MANAMA 677
Classified By: CDA Christopher Henzel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: Bahrain's Foreign Minister plans to ask the
Secretary for diplomatic support for his proposed new
regional organization, a grouping that would include Israel.
End summary.
2. (C) On October 14 Ambassador met with Shaikh Ahmad bin
Khalifah Al Khalifah, the head of Bahrain's NSC-equivalent,
at Shaikh Ahmad's request. Ambassador Saeed Al Faihani of
the MFA and DCM also attended.
3. (C) Shaikh Ahmad told Ambassador that Foreign Minister
Khalid bin Ahmad Al Khalifah (currently visiting Singapore)
plans to ask the Secretary at the October 18 Forum for the
Future in Abu Dhabi to support his proposal for a new
regional organization (ref B). Ambassador noted in reply
that the Department's spokesman commented favorably October
7, and asked what Bahrain planned as its next step for the
proposal. Al Faihani replied that the FM appreciated the
October 7 statement, but would seek the Secretary's
diplomatic support in soliciting broader support.
4. (C) Comment: The Foreign Minister proposed September 27 a
new regional organization that would include the Arab states,
Israel, Iran, and Turkey. The U.S., U.K., Israel, Japan, and
Arab League SecGen Amre Mousa have made favorable comments in
public since then. Bahrain's MFA also claims the Turkish
government is privately supportive. Iran quickly and publicly
condemned the proposal. Locally, several leading newspapers
have run - we think at the government's direction - positive
commentary, while the many critical statements from MPs and
pundits we heard last week have faded out. When parliament
re-opens next week, we will see whether MPs follow up on
their pledges to summon the Foreign Minister.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
HENZEL
SIPDIS
BAGHDAD FOR AMBASSADOR ERELI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2028
TAGS: PREL IS IR TU BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAINI FM WILL SEEK THE SECRETARY'S SUPPORT FOR
HIS REGIONAL INITIATIVE
REF: A. MANAMA 678
B. MANAMA 677
Classified By: CDA Christopher Henzel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: Bahrain's Foreign Minister plans to ask the
Secretary for diplomatic support for his proposed new
regional organization, a grouping that would include Israel.
End summary.
2. (C) On October 14 Ambassador met with Shaikh Ahmad bin
Khalifah Al Khalifah, the head of Bahrain's NSC-equivalent,
at Shaikh Ahmad's request. Ambassador Saeed Al Faihani of
the MFA and DCM also attended.
3. (C) Shaikh Ahmad told Ambassador that Foreign Minister
Khalid bin Ahmad Al Khalifah (currently visiting Singapore)
plans to ask the Secretary at the October 18 Forum for the
Future in Abu Dhabi to support his proposal for a new
regional organization (ref B). Ambassador noted in reply
that the Department's spokesman commented favorably October
7, and asked what Bahrain planned as its next step for the
proposal. Al Faihani replied that the FM appreciated the
October 7 statement, but would seek the Secretary's
diplomatic support in soliciting broader support.
4. (C) Comment: The Foreign Minister proposed September 27 a
new regional organization that would include the Arab states,
Israel, Iran, and Turkey. The U.S., U.K., Israel, Japan, and
Arab League SecGen Amre Mousa have made favorable comments in
public since then. Bahrain's MFA also claims the Turkish
government is privately supportive. Iran quickly and publicly
condemned the proposal. Locally, several leading newspapers
have run - we think at the government's direction - positive
commentary, while the many critical statements from MPs and
pundits we heard last week have faded out. When parliament
re-opens next week, we will see whether MPs follow up on
their pledges to summon the Foreign Minister.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
HENZEL