IRAQI RELATIONS WITH THE GCC AND BAHRAIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000818 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2038 TAGS: PREL IZ GCC BA SUBJECT: IRAQI RELATIONS WITH THE GCC AND BAHRAIN REF: A. KUWAIT 1196 ¶B. SECDEF 161803Z DEC 08 Classified By: Ambassador Adam Ereli for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Bahrain's foreign minister expressed openness in principle to expanded Iraqi ties with the GCC, but distanced himself from a suggestion that Iraq become an actual member. Bahrain's Crown Prince expressed interest in visiting Iraq. End summary. ¶2. (U) This year's Manama Dialogue conference, organized by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, produced a number of public and private discussions on GCC relations with the new Iraq. SecDef Speech -------------- ¶3. (U) In his December 13 address to the IISS conference and media, Secretary of Defense Gates congratulated those Gulf states that had exchanged embassies and official visits with Iraq, encouraged further bilateral engagement, and added "Iraq should be included in regional forums for economic and security cooperation, and considered for membership in Middle Eastern organizations, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council." During the Q and A following, Bahraini Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmad Al Khalifa agreed that re-integration of Iraq into the Arab world was important, and noted the recent opening of the Bahraini embassy in Baghdad and his own visit in October. He commented that the GCC "was not an exclusive club" but there were important integration goals among the GCC's current six members that needed much work; the GCC must become more of a "unit" before actual Iraqi membership should be considered. Iraqi Deputy PM Barham Saleh, who was on the same panel, noted that Iraq had not requested membership, but looked forward to continued strengthening of its ties both with the GCC and bilaterally with its member states. ¶4. (SBU) Some non-governmental delegates, as well as local and regional media were critical of the idea of Iraqi inclusion in the GCC. In a later interview with Al Arabiyah, FM Shaikh Khalid reiterated his view that "once the GCC is a complete unit we will allow any of our brothers to come and join." Crown Prince: Interested in Visiting Iraq -------------- ¶5. (C) During a bilateral meeting December 13 with General Petraeus, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa noted the recent opening of Bahrain's embassy in Baghdad, FM Shaikh Khalid's visit there, and invitations to PM Maliki and President Talibani to visit Bahrain. The Crown Prince expressed Bahrain's desire to continuing building its relations with Iraq. Petraeus suggested that increased investment is needed and would be most productive. The Crown Prince agreed and stated that Bahraini investment into Iraq had already begun and will continue, adding that he is interested in paying a visit to Baghdad himself. ¶6. (C) Ambassador followed this up with discussions with visiting Iraqi DPM Barham Saleh and the Crown Prince's staff on ideas for organizing a visit and possible timing. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** ERELI