G-8 BMENA FORUM FOR THE FUTURE

UNCLAS MANAMA 000477 SIPDIS FOR NEA/PI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM ECON PREL KMPI KPAO BA SUBJECT: G-8 BMENA FORUM FOR THE FUTURE REF: STATE 82753 ¶1. (U) DCM delivered reftel demarche August 13 to MFA Director for Bilateral Affairs Dhafer Al-Umran. Al-Umran was already well briefed on this year's BMENA schedule and was enthusiastic about the Forum planned for Marrakech November 2-3. Al-Umran confirmed he would attend the senior officials' meeting in Rome October 23, and said Bahrain would be represented at the three thematic workshops. ¶2. (U) Al-Umran said FM Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmad Al Khalifah hoped to attend the Marrakech Forum, but would not make scheduling commitments until after his return August 16 from vacation. ERELI