(U) KUDOS FOR REPORTING ON SHIA POLITICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 105276


NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/2033
TAGS: PINR PGOV PINS BA
SUBJECT: (U) KUDOS FOR REPORTING ON SHIA POLITICAL
SOCIETY IN BAHRAIN (C-NE8-01198)

REF: A. MANAMA 000313

B. MANAMA 000336


Classified By: SUZANNE MCCORMICK, DIR., INR/I. REASON: 1.4(C).

(C/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS GREATLY APPRECIATE REF EMBASSY
REPORTING ON BAHRAIN'S AL-WIFAQ POLITICAL SOCIETY. REF A
REVEALED PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN DETAILS SURROUNDING THE
QUESTIONING OF TWO CABINET MINISTERS AND THE REASONS FOR
WIFAQ'S WALKOUT ON THE FINAL SESSION OF THE COUNCIL OF
REPRESENTATIVES (COR) BEFORE THE SUMMER HIATUS, AS WELL AS
OTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE POLITICAL SOCIETY. REF B GAVE
DETAILED BACKGROUND ABOUT OTHER PROMINENT MEMBERS OF WIFAQ
WHO ARE CONSIDERED POTENTIAL SUCCESSORS TO THE CURRENT WIFAQ
LEADER. BOTH OF THESE REPORTS WERE BENEFICIAL IN HELPING
ANALYSTS GAIN GREATER DEPTH OF UNDERSTANDING OF CURRENT
EVENTS IN BAHRAIN AS WELL AS THE SHIA POLITICAL SOCIETY.
ANALYSTS WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW WIFAQ AND ITS ROLE IN THE
POLITICAL SYSTEM, AS WELL AS THE SHIA OPPOSITION IN BAHRAIN
IN GENERAL. THANKS, AND REGARDS FROM WASHINGTON.


RICE