VZCZCXRO3844
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHMOS
DE RUEHMK #0898/01 1430909
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 230909Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4771
INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT  PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 MANAMA 000898 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR PM, NEA 
OSD FOR PDUSD HENRY 
NSC FOR DORAN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2016 
TAGS: PREL PARM MARR MASS KDEM KMPI BA IR REGION
BILAT, OFFICIALS 
SUBJECT: INTERAGENCY DELEGATION DISCUSSES GULF SECURITY 
DIALOGUE WITH MFA 
 
REF: A. MANAMA 848 
     ¶B. STATE 76798 
 
Classified by Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
------- 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1.  (C) An interagency delegation led by Principal Deputy 
Under Secretary of Defense Henry and Assistant Secretary of 
State Hillen met with MFA Assistant Under Secretary Shaikh 
Abdul Aziz May 14 and discussed the Gulf Security Dialogue, 
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), the Iranian 
challenge, possible sanctions against Iran, and U.S.-Bahrain 
relations, including the National Democratic Institute (NDI) 
program in Bahrain.  Shaikh Abdul Aziz said Bahrain welcomes 
enhanced engagement with the U.S. on security issues.  It is 
important for the GOB to show its citizens that the U.S. 
treats Bahrain as an equal partner in developing its regional 
policies.  He affirmed that Bahrain would join PSI soon.  On 
Iran, Shaikh Abdul Aziz said, "We need to pull the rug out 
from under them."  Some internal opposition may develop to 
the Iranian regime's policies once the international 
community decides upon its path to deal with Iran.  If Iran 
is ostracized by the rest of the world, Bahrain would follow 
suit and take a stand regionally.  On NDI, Shaikh Abdul Aziz 
said that Shaikh Khalid had sent a letter to DNSA Abrams 
explaining Bahrain's position.  Bahrain supports NDI and 
wants to work with it, but the GOB believes the former 
director was not balanced in the services he provided to 
Bahrain's political societies.  End Summary. 
 
------------------------------------ 
Launching the Gulf Security Dialogue 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶2.  (C) An interagency delegation led by Principal Deputy 
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Henry and Assistant 
Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs Hillen met 
 
SIPDIS 
with MFA Assistant Under Secretary for Coordination and 
Follow Up Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa May 14 and 
discussed the Gulf Security Dialogue, Proliferation Security 
Initiative, Iran, possible UN sanctions against Iran, and 
U.S.-Bahrain bilateral relations.  Participating on the U.S. 
side were PDUSD Henry, A/S Hillen, Ambassador Monroe, NSC 
Senior Director for Near East and North African Affairs 
Doran, Central Command Director for Strategy, Plans and 
Policy ADM Moeller, PM Chief of Staff Ruggiero, Military 
Assistant COL Graham, and Pol/Econ Chief (notetaker).  On the 
Bahraini side were Shaikh Abdul Aziz, MFA Director for 
Bilateral Affairs Dhafer Al Umran, and Hashem Mansoor. 
 
¶3.  (S) PDUSD Henry opened the meeting by stating that the 
delegation was meeting with friends in the region to reaffirm 
the U.S. commitment to its allies and to speak frankly about 
Iran.  A/S Hillen added that the U.S. was a steadfast ally 
and its friends should not feel they need to respond to 
Iranian pressure on them.  Launching a Gulf Security Dialogue 
would allow the U.S. and GCC countries to have a 
ministerial-level discussion on defense cooperation, Iraq, 
regional stability and Iran, energy security, 
counter-proliferation, and counter-terrorism.  He raised the 
prospect of a ministerial meeting around the time of the UN 
General Assembly.  The U.S. would explore practical ways to 
assist Bahrain, some options being providing additional 
security assistance, linking GCC air defenses, and 
coordinating further on intelligence. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
Bahrain Appreciates Enhanced Engagement with U.S. 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶4.  (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz said the recent visits by Counselor 
Zelikow and Under Secretary Joseph had been fruitful and 
Bahrain appreciates holding consultations with the United 
States on a frequent basis.  The GOB wants to know that the 
U.S. takes its concerns into account when developing its 
thinking on the region.  Some in Bahrain resent the country's 
strong bond with the United States and, if the government is 
seen to be engaging with the U.S. as an equal partner, it 
makes the government's life easier. 
 
MANAMA 00000898  002 OF 003 
 
 
 
¶5.  (C) On PSI, Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that Bahrain would 
adopt the Statement of Interdiction Principles soon.  The MFA 
would provide final approval soon via diplomatic note. 
Bahrain wants its territorial waters to be safe, free of 
smuggling and terrorist activities (Ref B). 
 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
Internal Iranian Opposition Best Path to Change 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶6.  (C) Turning to Iran, Shaikh Abdul Aziz said the Iranians 
are skilled at taking advantage of any opportunity they see. 
"We need to pull the rug out from under them," he said.  The 
Iranians have conducted a campaign of engagement with its 
Gulf neighbors.  During his recent visit, Foreign Minister 
Mottaki extended an invitation for King Hamad to come to 
Iran.  NSC Secretary General Larijani went to the Gulf States 
to reassure them that Iran would not develop WMD.  The 
nuclear program has united the country on nationalist 
grounds, although there may be some internal opposition to 
President Ahmadi-Nejad once the international community 
decides on the path it will take to deal with the Iranian 
nuclear program.  Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that internal 
opposition to the regime is the best way to get change there. 
 It is not in the region's interest to see an escalation in 
the confrontation with Iran. 
 
¶7.  (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz recommended building a unified 
stance around the Gulf to isolate Iran.  Getting a strong 
Iraqi government into place is an important aspect of Gulf 
unity.  When Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid met with Mottaki 
recently, he said that Iran must abide by IAEA rules.  There 
is no double-standard and Iran has duties and 
responsibilities like any other country. 
 
¶8.  (C) Director Doran said the centerpiece of U.S. efforts 
on Iran was action in the UN Security Council.  The UNSC 
track represents a third option, separate from the extremes 
of either accepting a nuclear Iran or going to war.  The U.S. 
sees fissures in the Iranian leadership on tactics related to 
the nuclear program, but not on the ultimate goal of a 
complete fuel cycle on Iranian territory, which is a red line 
for the U.S.  A UNSC decision could exacerbate fissures in 
the regime.  Economic sanctions represent the stick.  But we 
could offer the carrot of supporting a civilian nuclear 
program in Iran to create a wedge between the government and 
people. 
 
---------------- 
Ostracizing Iran 
---------------- 
 
¶9.  (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that if Iran is to be 
ostracized by the rest of the world, Bahrain would take a 
stand regionally.  Bahrain has stood up to Iran before and 
can do so again.  Bahrain wants a WMD-free region, he said, 
noting that the nuclear reactor at Bushehr is closer to 
Bahrain than Tehran.  Iran values its position and 
credibility in the international arena and will want to avoid 
losing its stature. 
 
¶10.  (C) With regard to UNSC sanctions, Shaikh Abdul Aziz 
commented that uniting the GCC is easier said than done. 
There is a lot of smuggling to Iran from the UAE, in 
particular from Dubai, and people will question why Bahrain 
should suffer by imposing sanctions while others benefit. 
Sanctions would have to implemented in a uniform way. 
 
-------------------- 
Complaints About NDI 
-------------------- 
 
¶11.  (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz affirmed that U.S.-Bahraini 
relations are very strong.  He said that some people question 
the relationship, pointing to issues such as the departure of 
the National Democratic Institute project director as a 
source of friction.  As Crown Prince Salman told Deputy 
National Security Advisor Abrams during their March meeting 
in Washington, Bahrain has no problem with NDI and believes 
in what NDI does.  The problem, according to Shaikh Abdul 
Aziz, is the NDI director, who does not look upon Gulf 
regimes in a positive way.  He was selective in deciding 
 
MANAMA 00000898  003 OF 003 
 
 
which political societies he would assist, whereas his 
services should have been available to all.  He noted that 
Shaikh Khalid had just sent a letter to DNSA Abrams 
explaining Bahrain's position on NDI (Ref A).  Issues like 
NDI, however, are the "nitty gritty," Shaikh Abdul Aziz said, 
while there is broad agreement on the principles of the 
bilateral relationship.  Director Doran said it would be best 
for Bahrain to reestablish relations with NDI as soon as 
possible. 
 
¶12.  (U) PDUSD Henry and A/S Hillen cleared this cable. 
 
MONROE