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OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMK #1458/01 2191530
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 071530Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5392
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT  PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001458 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2016 
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR PGOV ETRD BA REGION ECTRD POL
OFFICIALS 
SUBJECT: TFLE01:  DEPUTY PM PLEADS FOR U.S. TO PLAY ROLE OF 
"HONEST BROKER" IN LEBANON CRISIS 
 
 
Classified By: CDA Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
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Summary 
------- 
 
¶1.  (C) Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak 
told the Charge August 7 that the United States had to play 
the role of honest broker to help settle the Lebanon crisis. 
While recognizing that Palestinians, Lebanese and Israelis 
are all suffering, he complained that the U.S. was paying 
closer attention to Israel's concerns than those of other 
parties.  The situation is volatile, and he feared extremism 
could spread as a result of the violence.  In the early days 
of the Lebanon conflict, several Arab governments had 
criticized Hizballah.  Because of Israel's reaction, however, 
the regional political atmosphere had changed, making it 
impossible for reasoned judgment to hold sway.  The Deputy PM 
said Arab League ministers would support the Lebanese 
government's seven-point plan and offer assistance to PM 
Siniora at the meeting in Beirut.  Shaikh Mohammed and the 
Charge also discussed Iran, the domestic political situation, 
and the U.S.-Bahrain free trade agreement.  End Summary. 
 
------------------------- 
"The War Should Stop Now" 
------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (C) Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al 
Khalifa summoned the Charge August 7 to formally deliver the 
Bahraini government's position on the state-of-play in the 
Lebanon crisis.  Shaikh Mohammed told the Charge "the war 
should stop now."  The security of all sides needs to be 
taken into account in developing and proposing a solution. 
He recognized that Palestinians, Lebanese, and Israelis were 
all suffering, and worried that the United States was paying 
closer attention to Israel's concerns than those of the other 
parties.  "If the people do not feel that a settlement is 
just and fair, they will not accept it," he said. 
 
¶3.  (C) Shaikh Mohammed expressed his concern that the 
regional situation could get out of hand.  Today the enemy is 
Hizballah, but extremism could flourish, adding to the 
challenge.  "There is a fire," he said, "and we must 
extinguish it."  Bahrain accepts a two-state solution for 
Israel and Palestine based upon the 1967 borders.  But for 
almost 60 years, there has been no comprehensive agreement. 
Israel, he said, should help Arab countries feel secure just 
as the Arabs should make Israel feel secure.  There needs to 
be new thinking in the Middle East, he stated. 
 
--------------------- 
U.S. As Honest Broker 
--------------------- 
 
¶4.  (C) The Deputy PM said that when the Lebanon crisis 
erupted, several Arab governments correctly characterized 
Hizballah's actions as a reckless misadventure.  The 
political atmosphere in the region changed, however, in 
response to the Israeli reaction.  As a result, it is now 
impossible for reasoned judgment to hold sway. 
 
¶5.  (C) Shaikh Mohammed said that the U.S. has to play the 
role of an honest broker in working to settle the conflict. 
The United States takes into account Israel's views, the 
Deputy PM said, but Lebanon is not in the picture.  It is not 
right that one side is happy but the other is not. 
 
---------------------------- 
UNSC Draft Resolution Biased 
---------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (C) The Charge responded that the United States has been 
in close consultation with members of the UN Security Council 
and the parties in the region in developing the draft UNSC 
resolution on Lebanon.  It is a serious response to events 
and seeks to establish the conditions for a long-term 
ceasefire.  It addresses issues that impact both sides.  A 
quick ceasefire that preserves the status quo ante would 
result in the same cycle of violence reoccurring.  The Charge 
urged Arab League support for the resolution.  Shaikh 
Mohammed agreed that the resolution should deal with the long 
term, but said it should consider the interests of all 
parties.  "It isn't right when the whole world wants a 
ceasefire but one country says, 'wait'," he complained. 
 
¶7.  (C) Shaikh Mohammed said Israel's attacks on Lebanon have 
been devastating, especially for civilians, who should be 
protected by the Geneva Convention.  Prior to the crisis, 
 
Hizballah was isolated, having the support of only Iran and 
Syria.  Now, "everybody supports Hizballah," including 
Sunnis.  The Charge said a solution has to include the 
Lebanese government extending its authority throughout the 
country and disarming militias.  Hizballah operates 
independently of the Lebanese government.  The GOL must be 
strengthened so as to ensure that no foreign forces or armed 
groups remain in the country.  The Deputy PM replied that at 
the meeting in Beirut, Arab League ministers would support 
the Lebanese government's seven-point plan and offer to 
assist PM Siniora. 
 
---------------------------- 
Bahrain "Naked" Against Iran 
---------------------------- 
 
¶8.  (C) Shaikh Mohammed said that Bahrain was concerned that 
the conflict could expand to include Syria and Iran.  The 
last thing the GOB wants is for Iran to be involved in any 
Arab country.  Iran is feeling pressure from the 
international community and is trying to improve its 
relations with its neighbors.  Two months ago Tehran invited 
King Hamad to visit Iran, but he had replied that the time is 
not right.  Bahrain wants Iran as a good neighbor, but 
nothing more.  A confrontation on the nuclear issue is 
brewing, and Bahrain knows that it could become a target in 
the event of hostilities.  If something happens, "we will be 
naked, with no way to defend ourselves."  He reminded the 
Charge that Bahrain was interested in obtaining Patriot 
missiles to defend itself from Iran.  Shaikh Mohammed stated 
that the December IISS Gulf Dialogue conference, to be held 
in Bahrain, would be a useful forum for addressing some of 
these issues.  He hoped the USG sends a very senior 
delegation. 
 
-------------------------------------------- 
No Foreign Intervention in Domestic Politics 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶9.  (C) In response to the Charge's question, the Deputy PM 
said that domestic political activity was increasing in the 
run-up to the fall parliamentary and municipal elections. 
People have confidence in the parliament based upon its 
performance over the past four years.  The Assembly passed 
over 100 laws and, despite fears to the contrary, the King 
did not veto any laws.  He thought there would be an official 
announcement about the date of the elections about six weeks 
before they are held, which will most likely be in November. 
 
¶10.  (C) Shaikh Mohammed said it was important that there be 
no "foreign intervention" in the political process.  Some 
oppositionists feel the United States and other governments 
can help them by intervening on their behalf.  This would be 
"the worst thing," he said.  Citizens should work their 
complaints through the system, not go to outside governments. 
 Some critics use the language of democracy, but in reality 
they are not committed to freedom and democracy.  He said 
foreign governments should be careful in dealing with these 
people.  The Charge replied that as a matter of course, we 
speak to a wide spectrum of Bahrainis.  In our discussions 
with them, we stress that the United States supports full 
participation in the political system and is committed to the 
universal principles of human rights, rule of law, a free 
press, and respect for all members of society, including 
women, youth, and minorities. 
 
------------------------------ 
Enhancing Commercial Relations 
------------------------------ 
 
¶11.  (C) Noting that the U.S.-Bahrain free trade agreement 
took effect on August 1, the Charge said that the United 
States was eager to enhance trade and investment relations 
with Bahrain.  Shaikh Mohammed said the goal now was to bring 
the benefits of the FTA to Bahrain.  He stated that he had 
just returned from Jordan, where he had participated in the 
formation of a joint committee to help Bahrain learn from 
Jordan's FTA experience.  By demonstrating the benefits of 
the FTA, Bahrain could become an example for others in the 
region. 
 
 
********************************************* ******** 
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ 
********************************************* ******** 
ZIADEH