(U) BAHRAIN'S NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL

S E C R E T STATE 064304

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2034
TAGS: PINR BA
SUBJECT: (U) BAHRAIN'S NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
(C-NE9-01171)

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


1. (S/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON A
PROJECT ON ARAB GULF NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISERS, PARTICULARLY
BAHRAIN'S NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL (BNSC). AS TIME AND
RESOURCES PERMIT, ANALYSTS WOULD APPRECIATE READOUTS ON THE
BNSC, PARTICULARLY ITS ROLE IN BAHRAIN, LOGISTICAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE CHARACTERISTICS, AND LEADERSHIP PERSONALITIES.


A. (C) WHAT IS THE ROLE OF BAHRAIN'S NATIONAL SECURITY
COUNCIL (BNSC)? IS IT MAINLY FOCUSED ON EXTERNAL OR INTERNAL
ISSUES?


B. (C) HOW LARGE IS THE SECRETARIAT STAFF? HOW IS IT
ORGANIZED? DOES IT HAVE A ROLE OTHER THAN SETTING THE AGENDA
FOR FULL BNSC MEETINGS? ARE THERE PLANS TO EXPAND BNSC'S
SECRETARIAT?


C. (C) HOW OFTEN DOES THE FULL BNSC MEET?


D. (S) WHY DID THE KING TAP SHEIKH AHMAD TO BE THE GENERAL
SECRETARY OF BNSC?


E. (S) HOW OFTEN DOES SHEIKH AHMAD INTERACT WITH THE KING?
DOES HE BRIEF HIM REGULARLY ON NATIONAL SECURITY MATTERS? IF
SO, HOW FREQUENTLY?


F. (S) WHAT IS SHEIKH AHMAD'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE KING,
THE CROWN PRINCE, THE BAHRAIN NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY (BNSA)
DIRECTOR, THE FOREIGN MINISTER, AND OTHER GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS?


G. (C) ARE THERE PLANS TO BUILD A SITUATION ROOM/OPERATIONS
CENTER? IS THERE ANY INTEREST IN SUCH A PROJECT?


2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-NE9-01171 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF
REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS.
CLINTON