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