BAHRAINI PARLIAMENT'S SYMBOLIC VOTE AGAINST U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000023 SIPDIS BAGHDAD FOR AMBASSADOR ERELI E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR KWBG BA SUBJECT: BAHRAINI PARLIAMENT'S SYMBOLIC VOTE AGAINST U.S. MILITARY BASES REF: A. MANAMA 6 ¶B. MANAMA 13 ¶C. MANAMA 14 ¶D. MANAMA 19 Classified By: CDA Christopher Henzel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Reflecting Bahrainis' strong feelings over Gaza, the elected chamber of Bahrain's parliament called on other Arab parliaments to work together to close all U.S. military bases in the region. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Members of Bahrain's elected lower house of parliament, usually divided along sectarian lines, voted unanimously January 13 to work with other Arab parliaments toward removing all U.S. military bases from the region. It was the first time in memory that basing issues were raised in parliament. ¶3. (SBU) In addition to the resolution, a Salafist MP directed pointed questions to the government calling for details on the U.S. Navy's leasing arrangements with the GOB for facilities here. ¶4. (C) Comment: Bahrain's lower house of parliament has no direct mechanism with which to compel the GOB to take action on basing issues. The MPs omitted from their resolution any direct references to U.S. military facilities in Bahrain, probably because they understand the importance Bahrain's ruling family attaches to their relationship with the U.S. Navy. Nevertheless, the elected MPs' resolution is a significant reflection of Bahrainis' feelings over Gaza. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** HENZEL