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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4431
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000595 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO OFAC FOR CSTEVENSON 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2016 
TAGS: ASEC PARM PGOV PREL BA IR OFFICIALS REGION CTR
SUBJECT: U/S JOSEPH DISCUSSES IRAN AND PSI WITH BAHRAINI FM 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
¶1.  (C) Summary:  Foreign Minister Shaikh Khaled Bin Ahmed Al 
Khalifa told Arms Control and International Security U/S 
Robert Joseph April 8 that the GOB shares U.S. concerns about 
Iran's export of terrorism and development of nuclear 
weapons.  He gave strong indications that Bahrain would 
support the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). 
Although he expressed the need to notify Bahrain's leadership 
and neighbors before giving official support to the PSI, he 
said the GOB would move forward with or without others in the 
GCC and would make all efforts to convince them to take this 
step together.  He also pledged Bahrain's support in cracking 
down on Iranian banks or front companies suspected to be 
involved in illicit activities.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (C) Meeting with Foreign Minister Shaikh Khaled, U/S 
Joseph conveyed U.S. concern over Iran's continuing -- 
indeed, accelerating -- nuclear program.  Progress in that 
program is notable ever since January; it is clear they have 
"both feet on the accelerator" on their nuclear weapons 
program.  This is a direct threat to U.S. interests and to 
those of our friends and allies.  While the United States 
clearly seeks an acceptable diplomatic solution to this 
growing threat, U/S Joseph reiterated the need to move 
forward with a broad range of "defensive measures":  denial 
and interdiction efforts such as the PSI, measures to counter 
WMD financing and the growing use of front companies to 
covertly advance WMD-related activities; 
counter-proliferation planning, as well as combined exercises 
and training; and cooperation on other defense, dissuasion, 
and deterrence measures, such as passive and active defenses, 
together with appropriate declaratory policies.  Pursuing 
such measures on a bilateral and, as appropriate, 
multilateral basis, will reinforce the prospects for 
diplomatic success and at the same time defend U.S. interests. 
 
¶3.  (C) Shaikh Khaled said that Bahrain is "really worried" 
about Iran.  Bahrain is a true ally of the United States and 
shares the U.S. view of the threat Iran poses to the region 
and to the world.  He observed that when he visited Tehran 
recently, Iranian officials continually repeated the mantra 
that their nuclear program is a "peaceful program that we 
have a right to pursue."  Shaikh Khaled asked rhetorically 
why the Iranians would need to repeatedly say this if they 
were indeed merely talking about electricity production.  In 
his view, Iran constituted a "clear and present threat."  He 
went on to say, "We don't believe their program is peaceful." 
 Shaikh Khaled mentioned that he would be meeting with 
Iranian Foreign Policy Chief and top nuclear negotiator Ali 
Larijani April 9, who was on a tour of Gulf countries. 
 
¶4.  (C) Shaikh Khaled went on to say that Iran has concocted 
a deadly mixture of religion, terror and nuclear capability. 
It has accelerated the process of certifying clerics as 
"ayatollahs" and is sending them out to neighboring countries 
in an effort to spread the revolution.  He said, "The export 
of the Iranian revolution is the export of terror."  Bahrain 
recognizes its responsibilities; it is not asking to be 
defended but as an ally is ready to work together on the 
front lines.  He recognized the need for increased training 
of the Bahrain Defense Forces and expressed his appreciation 
for the U.S. concern for the region, U.S. help against 
Iranian aggression, and U.S. assistance to keep the Straits 
of Hormuz clear.  In addition to Iran, he expressed GOB 
concern that Iraq be stabilized and that Hizbollah be dealt 
with, thereby leading to greater stability in Lebanon. 
 
¶5.  (C) When asked for Bahrain's commitment to the PSI, 
Shaikh Khaled said that the GOB will finalize its position as 
soon as its entire leadership is familiar with the issue. 
However, he assured U/S Joseph, "Whether other GCC countries 
move on the PSI or not, we will move ahead.  But we need to 
notify our neighbors that we are taking this step.  We will 
not wait, just as we did not wait with the FTA.  And we will 
not spare any effort to convince other GCC countries that we 
all need to move forward in this way."  He expressed his 
confidence that Kuwait would be receptive to U.S. PSI 
proposals, and specifically mentioned his intention to 
discuss the issue with Kuwaiti FM Shaikh Mohamed. 
 
¶6.  (C) Regarding the financial front in the battle against 
proliferation, Shaikh Khaled said that the GOB will close any 
Iranian bank or front company suspected to be involved in 
illicit activities benefiting Iran.  He also said that 
Bahrain would apply U.N. sanctions against Iran completely if 
and when they are introduced. 
 
¶7.  (U) U/S Joseph has cleared this cable. 
 
 
MANAMA 00000595  002 OF 002 
 
 
MONROE