KING HAMAD ON IRAN, REGIONAL INTEGRATION, RUSSIA,

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000765 SIPDIS BAGHDAD FOR AMBASSADOR ERELI CENTAF FOR GENERAL NORTH E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2038 TAGS: PREL MARR IR RS CH IN BA SUBJECT: KING HAMAD ON IRAN, REGIONAL INTEGRATION, RUSSIA, CHINA AND INDIA REF: A. MANAMA 759 ¶B. MANAMA 734 ¶C. MANAMA 705 Classified By: CDA Christopher Henzel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S) Summary: King Hamad confirmed that Iran expressed concern to Bahrain about U.S. naval "weapons systems." Bahrain plans to continue pushing its proposal for a new regional organization that includes Israel. The King was suspicious of China, apologetic about his upcoming visit to Russia, and warm towards India. End summary. ¶2. (S) A relaxed King Hamad told NAVCENT/Fifth Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Bill Gortney and CDA November 6 that the U.S. military presence in the Gulf remained the key to the Gulf Arabs' security. He thanked the U.S. for the recent deployment of a U.S. Patriot battery to Bahrain, and for the DoD decision to return to Bahrain the adult dependents of Navcent headquarters personnel. Iran -------------- ¶3. (S) The King said that the visiting speaker of Iran's parliament, Ali Larijani, told him October 22 that Iran was worried about American naval "weapons systems" (refs A and B.) The King said he responded that the American military presence in the region, and particularly U.S.- Bahraini security cooperation, was to the benefit of all who valued stability. He told Larijani that as long as Iran acts in a responsible way, Iran will have nothing to worry about. The King told us he was displeased that the "the deputy commander" of Iran's armed forces had been included in the delegation with no advance notice and wearing civilian clothes. "This is not how a country should deal with neighbors." He said he deflected an Iranian request to exchange military attaches. ¶4. (S) King Hamad praised the statesmanship of both president-elect Obama and Senator McCain, and said he understood that the fundamentals of American policy in the Gulf rarely shifted dramatically. However, he expressed hope that "your Arab friends in the Gulf" would be kept briefed if any substantive U.S.-Iran dialogue develops. ¶5. (S) Turning to U.S.-GCC military cooperation, the King said a real, integrated regional air defense against Iran had been under discussion for too long, and the GCC had to "get its act together." He indicated that papers would be presented on this issue at the December 12-14 Manama Dialogue. A New Regional Organization Including Israel -------------- ¶6. (S) The King spoke optimistically of Bahrain's proposal for a new regional organization that would include Israel, Iran and Turkey along with the Arab states (ref C). The UK, U.S., Arab League, and Israel and others had endorsed the idea publicly, he noted, while Iran had immediately condemned it. With a laugh, he added "the Arabs - they don't like it very much either but maybe they'll get used to it." He predicted the initiative will enjoy new international attention during the Manama Dialogue. He acknowledged that the Islamists who dominate Bahrain's lower house of parliament loudly oppose the proposal, but added "they are Bahraini Islamists, which means tame Islamists." In response to CDA's question, the King said Bahrain did not envisage any preconditions to Israeli membership in the new organization. Russia, China and India in the Gulf -------------- ¶7. (S) The King appeared eager to allay any concern the U.S. might have about his upcoming December 2 state visit to Russia. "This was agreed more than a year ago and I have to go, but we know our real friends are in the U.S." The King expressed concern at what he viewed as China's "aggressive" new efforts to strengthen its economic and diplomatic MANAMA 00000765 002 OF 002 influence in the region. The Chinese Minister of Defense would soon be visiting Bahrain as part of a regional tour; "Thank God I will be out of the country that day." By contrast, the King viewed India's growing influence in the Gulf as a healthy development, and said he was happy to see U.S.-Indian ties improving. ¶8. (S) Other participants in the meeting were Navcent Executive Assistant Captain David Grogan, USN, Royal Court Minister Khaled bin Ahmed bin Salman al Khalifa, and a Bahraini notetaker. ¶9. (S) Comment: King Hamad's readout of Larijani's visit tracks with the Foreign Minister's (ref B). The King's comments on China are a theme we haven't heard from the GOB before. On the new regional organization: MFA has hopes that Turkish President Gul will attend the December 12-14 IISS Manama Dialogue; the Bahrainis would see Gul's presence as an opportunity to put the proposal back into the world's headlines. ¶10. (U) NAVCENT has cleared this message. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** HENZEL