VZCZCXRO8562
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHMK #0285/01 0880913
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 290913Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6629
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT  PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000285 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2017 
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS BA IR IZ REGION OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: KING AND ADMIRAL FALLON CONSULT ON REGIONAL 
CHALLENGES 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
. 
 
------- 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1.  (C) King Hamad told CENTCOM Commander Admiral Fallon, in 
their first meeting March 22, that Bahrain and the United 
States are in business together as real allies.  Although 
Bahrain supports a peaceful Iranian nuclear program, "the 
Iranian program is not peaceful."  In the King's view, Iran 
intends to build a nuclear device and dominate the region. 
Iraq had always served as a strategic balance to Iran, and it 
is important for Iraq to play this role again.  The King 
criticized those who say the United States has lost in Iraq. 
He countered that it is the Iraqis who lost, because the U.S. 
came to help build the country, and they did not take 
advantage of that.  To send a strong message on security, the 
King recommended that the U.S. capture and imprison terrorist 
commanders, not just the low-level fighters.  End Summary. 
 
----------------------------- 
Bahrain a "Real Ally" of U.S. 
----------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (C) In their initial meeting March 22, King Hamad bin Isa 
Al Khalifa welcomed CENTCOM Commander Admiral Fallon to 
Bahrain and said he was glad Bahrain and the United States 
"are in business together."  He referred to the long-standing 
U.S.-Bahrain relationship and thanked the United States for 
its support for stability in the Gulf region.  Bahrain, he 
said, has always felt secure because of the presence of the 
U.S. Navy.  Bahrain wants to be a "real ally" and participate 
in exercises and operations with the United States.  Admiral 
Fallon acknowledged the unique relationship and said the U.S. 
has a strong sense of comfort working with the GOB. 
 
¶3.  (C) Achieving a stable Gulf region, the King said, 
requires a collective effort on the part of the GCC.  The GCC 
members "shouldn't be enemies or friends to one another, they 
should be allies."  Sometimes GCC countries allow small 
disputes, such as minor border differences, to cause 
problems.  They should forget about these things for at least 
25 years in order to focus on important things, the King 
said, noting that Bahrain and Qatar had quarreled over the 
status of Hawar Island.  "When we solved this problem, we 
felt relieved." 
 
--------------------------- 
Strong Iraq to Balance Iran 
--------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (C) The King said that Bahrain had identified the threat 
from Iran many years ago, when Khomeini tried to export the 
revolution.  When confronted with accusations of Iranian 
meddling in neighboring countries, the King reported, Iranian 
leaders say this is not GOI policy.  Rather, it is just some 
independent actors inside the government carrying out their 
own policies.  The King dismissed these excuses, saying the 
GOI is responsible for the activities of all entities under 
its authority.  Iran intends to build a nuclear device and to 
dominate the region, the King said.  Bahrain supports a 
peaceful Iranian nuclear program, "but it's not peaceful." 
Iraq had always served as a strategic balance to Iran, and it 
is important for Iraq once again to play this role.  But 
Iraq, the King said, "is ill with internal problems." 
 
¶5.  (C) The King said he does not like that Iraqis blame the 
United States for their problems.  Bahrain, he said, tells 
Iraqis that the United States came to help build the country, 
and they should recognize this.  Iraqi terrorists declare 
that the U.S. has lost in Iraq.  This is not right, the King 
said, it is the Iraqis who lost.  The United States wants a 
new Iraq; why don't Iraqis want it too?  The King noted he 
had met with Saudi King Abdullah two days earlier.  King 
Abdullah provided a briefing on his meeting with Iranian 
President Ahmadi-Nejad in early March.  Abdullah reportedly 
told Ahmadi-Nejad to "keep his hands off the Gulf and Iraq." 
Ahmadi-Nejad claimed Iran was not interfering in the affairs 
of its neighbors.  The King told Admiral Fallon that he was 
hopeful and confident Iraq will be strong, united, and "able 
to face and balance the Iranian threat." 
 
----------------------------- 
Imprison Terrorist Commanders 
----------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (C) Admiral Fallon observed that the United States and 
Bahrain have the same security objectives for the region. 
 
MANAMA 00000285  002 OF 002 
 
 
Iraq is the biggest immediate challenge, and we have to make 
progress very soon to show people Iraq can move in the right 
direction and serve to counter Iran's desire to control and 
influence the region.  In addition to security, people in 
Iraq need hope.  The U.S. will also concentrate on economic 
growth and political development in Iraq.  The King said that 
to send a strong message on security, the U.S. should put 
terrorist commanders like Muqtada Al Sadr in jail, not just 
the low-level fighters.  There can be no negotiations - they 
are terrorists.  They took the decision to fight, and they 
should feel the consequences.  Al Qaeda leaders are in caves. 
 Imagine if Bin Laden were able to travel freely to raise 
money, like Al Sadr or Hizballah's Hassan Nasrallah, the King 
asked rhetorically.  In response to Admiral Fallon's question 
on ways to engage Sunnis in Iraq's Anbar province, the King 
suggested that the U.S. talk to Jordan's King Abdullah, who 
is experienced and knowledgeable on this part of Iraq. 
 
¶7.  (U) Admiral Fallon cleared this cable. 
 
 
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