This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000333 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, S/CT, DS/IP/NEA AND DS/IP/ITA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2016 
TAGS: ASEC BA PGOV PHUM PTER OFFICIALS BILAT CTR
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES SECURITY ISSUES WITH INTERIOR 
MINISTER SHAIKH RASHID 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
¶1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador, in a February 12 meeting with 
Minister of Interior Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, 
discussed recent Ashoora celebrations in Bahrain, reviewed 
worldwide reactions to the release of Danish cartoon 
depiction's of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed, and was provided 
with an update on the status of the Joint Counterterrorism 
Center. The Minister and MOI officials provided background on 
a case involving allegations of police abuse, concluding the 
allegations had not held up under investigation.  End summary. 
 
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Ashoora celebrations in Bahrain 
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¶2. (C) The Ambassador began the meeting by offering his 
congratulations on the orderly celebrations surrounding the 
recent Ashoora holiday.  The Minister confirmed the 
celebrations were peaceful, suggesting it was yet another 
example of how things had changed in Bahrain.  While there 
were no significant incidents reported during the Ashoora 
celebrations and no reported injuries or property damage, the 
Minister highlighted one recent incident involving protesters 
gathering in response to the Danish cartoon depicting the 
Muslim Prophet Mohammed.  During one peaceful protest, newly 
established community police units identified and took 
immediate action to remove American and Israeli flags located 
on the ground adjacent to a Danish flag. While it was not 
uncommon to see or hear the occasional anti-American 
sentiment during such protests, the Minister stated 
authorities had not identified any strong anti-American focus 
in any of the protests. 
 
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Worldwide Protests Against Danish Cartoon 
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¶3. (C) The Minister went on to suggest the reactions to the 
Danish cartoons were "not a pure Danish pastry", suggesting 
possible involvement by both Iranian and Syrian authorities 
to arouse anti-western passions.  Shaikh Rashid assured the 
Ambassador his office would closely monitor the impact 
ongoing events worldwide were having in Bahrain and notify 
the Embassy of any specific threat or concerns.  To date, 
protests in Bahrain have been limited and non-violent. 
 
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Continued Concerns Over Iran 
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¶4. (C) the Ambassador raised the issue of Iran's nuclear 
program. Shaikh Rashid stated he was in agreement with the 
recommendation to move the issue to the U.N. Security 
Council.  While he agreed to a country's right to pursue such 
technology in the interest of civilian use, he stated Iran 
was using the program to raise nationalist issues and he 
believed they had every intention of pursuing a weapons 
program.  He suggested that with Israel possessing nuclear 
weapons, it should be no surprise that Iran would use the 
argument of needing a counter force within the Muslim world. 
Unfortunately, the Iranian government tended to think of 
itself more as Shia rather than Muslim.  Shaikh Rashid raised 
the importance of continued international pressure and the 
need to work closely with Bahrain and other Gulf nations to 
prepare contingency plans to counter the growing threat from 
Iran. The Minister highlighted the significance of the recent 
Eagle Resolve exercise and stressed the need for similar 
exercises in the immediate future in order to establish, 
among other things, regional integrated air defenses. 
 
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Joint Counterterrorism Center 
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¶5. (C) On the Joint Counterterrorism Center (JCTC), Public 
Security Chief General Abdul Latif Zayani said the structure 
scheduled to house the center is still undergoing 
renovations, equipment needs have been identified and 
purchase orders submitted, and staffing levels are being 
finalized.  The Ambassador reiterated the importance of 
moving forward on the establishment of the JCTC as quickly as 
possible, and urged the Minister to continue to give his full 
support for the center. 
 
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Musa Abd Ali Case 
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¶6. (C) Finally, the Ambassador raised the issue of Musa Abd 
Ali, the Bahraini national who claimed to have been abducted 
and abused by security forces. The Minister said the case was 
thoroughly investigated by Ministry of Interior staff and had 
been turned over to the General Attorney's office for 
follow-up.  Shaikh Rashid commented that it was police 
officials who originally persuaded Ali to formally report the 
allegations and aggressively pursued the case in an effort to 
identify the alleged assailants.  After a thorough 
investigation, the Minister stated he believed the 
allegations were completely false, suggesting the entire 
incident was fabricated.  The Minister then asked MOI 
investigators to review the status of the case with the 
Ambassador. 
 
¶7.  (C) Public Security Chief Zayani took the Ambassador to 
his office and called in two independent British Crime 
advisors who had observed the investigation of the case, to 
provide a detailed account of the case.  They were 
subsequently joined by the Chief Bahraini investigator 
responsible for the case.  In separate accounts, they 
outlined inconsistencies in the allegations and their 
conclusion that, based on what they learned, the incident did 
not take place.  A more detailed explanation of the meeting 
has been sent to the Department via separate channels. 
MONROE