Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 251287 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AEMR ASEC AMGT AE AS AMED AVIAN AU AF AORC AGENDA AO AR AM APER AFIN ATRN AJ ABUD ARABL AL AG AODE ALOW ADANA AADP AND APECO ACABQ ASEAN AA AFFAIRS AID AGR AY AGS AFSI AGOA AMB ARF ANET ASCH ACOA AFLU AFSN AMEX AFDB ABLD AESC AFGHANISTAN AINF AVIATION ARR ARSO ANDREW ASSEMBLY AIDS APRC ASSK ADCO ASIG AC AZ APEC AFINM ADB AP ACOTA ASEX ACKM ASUP ANTITERRORISM ADPM AINR ARABLEAGUE AGAO AORG AMTC AIN ACCOUNT ASECAFINGMGRIZOREPTU AIDAC AINT ARCH AMGTKSUP ALAMI AMCHAMS ALJAZEERA AVIANFLU AORD AOREC ALIREZA AOMS AMGMT ABDALLAH AORCAE AHMED ACCELERATED AUC ALZUGUREN ANGEL AORL ASECIR AMG AMBASSADOR AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL ADM ASES ABMC AER AMER ASE AMGTHA ARNOLDFREDERICK AOPC ACS AFL AEGR ASED AFPREL AGRI AMCHAM ARNOLD AN ANATO AME APERTH ASECSI AT ACDA ASEDC AIT AMERICA AMLB AMGE ACTION AGMT AFINIZ ASECVE ADRC ABER AGIT APCS AEMED ARABBL ARC ASO AIAG ACEC ASR ASECM ARG AEC ABT ADIP ADCP ANARCHISTS AORCUN AOWC ASJA AALC AX AROC ARM AGENCIES ALBE AK AZE AOPR AREP AMIA ASCE ALANAZI ABDULRAHMEN ABDULHADI AINFCY ARMS ASECEFINKCRMKPAOPTERKHLSAEMRNS AGRICULTURE AFPK AOCR ALEXANDER ATRD ATFN ABLG AORCD AFGHAN ARAS AORCYM AVERY ALVAREZ ACBAQ ALOWAR ANTOINE ABLDG ALAB AMERICAS AFAF ASECAFIN ASEK ASCC AMCT AMGTATK AMT APDC AEMRS ASECE AFSA ATRA ARTICLE ARENA AISG AEMRBC AFR AEIR ASECAF AFARI AMPR ASPA ASOC ANTONIO AORCL ASECARP APRM AUSTRALIAGROUP ASEG AFOR AEAID AMEDI ASECTH ASIC AFDIN AGUIRRE AUNR ASFC AOIC ANTXON ASA ASECCASC ALI AORCEUNPREFPRELSMIGBN ASECKHLS ASSSEMBLY ASECVZ AI ASECPGOV ASIR ASCEC ASAC ARAB AIEA ADMIRAL AUSGR AQ AMTG ARRMZY ANC APR AMAT AIHRC AFU ADEL AECL ACAO AMEMR ADEP AV AW AOR ALL ALOUNI AORCUNGA ALNEA ASC AORCO ARMITAGE AGENGA AGRIC AEM ACOAAMGT AGUILAR AFPHUM AMEDCASCKFLO AFZAL AAA ATPDEA ASECPHUM ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ETRD ETTC EU ECON EFIN EAGR EAID ELAB EINV ENIV ENRG EPET EZ ELTN ELECTIONS ECPS ET ER EG EUN EIND ECONOMICS EMIN ECIN EINT EWWT EAIR EN ENGR ES EI ETMIN EL EPA EARG EFIS ECONOMY EC EK ELAM ECONOMIC EAR ESDP ECCP ELN EUM EUMEM ECA EAP ELEC ECOWAS EFTA EXIM ETTD EDRC ECOSOC ECPSN ENVIRONMENT ECO EMAIL ECTRD EREL EDU ENERG ENERGY ENVR ETRAD EAC EXTERNAL EFIC ECIP ERTD EUC ENRGMO EINZ ESTH ECCT EAGER ECPN ELNT ERD EGEN ETRN EIVN ETDR EXEC EIAD EIAR EVN EPRT ETTF ENGY EAIDCIN EXPORT ETRC ESA EIB EAPC EPIT ESOCI ETRB EINDQTRD ENRC EGOV ECLAC EUR ELF ETEL ENRGUA EVIN EARI ESCAP EID ERIN ELAN ENVT EDEV EWWY EXBS ECOM EV ELNTECON ECE ETRDGK EPETEIND ESCI ETRDAORC EAIDETRD ETTR EMS EAGRECONEINVPGOVBN EBRD EUREM ERGR EAGRBN EAUD EFI ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ETRO ENRGY EGAR ESSO EGAD ENV ENER EAIDXMXAXBXFFR ELA EET EINVETRD EETC EIDN ERGY ETRDPGOV EING EMINCG EINVECON EURM EEC EICN EINO EPSC ELAP ELABPGOVBN EE ESPS ETRA ECONETRDBESPAR ERICKSON EEOC EVENTS EPIN EB ECUN EPWR ENG EX EH EAIDAR EAIS ELBA EPETUN ETRDEIQ EENV ECPC ETRP ECONENRG EUEAID EWT EEB EAIDNI ESENV EADM ECN ENRGKNNP ETAD ETR ECONETRDEAGRJA ETRG ETER EDUC EITC EBUD EAIF EBEXP EAIDS EITI EGOVSY EFQ ECOQKPKO ETRGY ESF EUE EAIC EPGOV ENFR EAGRE ENRD EINTECPS EAVI ETC ETCC EIAID EAIDAF EAGREAIDPGOVPRELBN EAOD ETRDA EURN EASS EINVA EAIDRW EON ECOR EPREL EGPHUM ELTM ECOS EINN ENNP EUPGOV EAGRTR ECONCS ETIO ETRDGR EAIDB EISNAR EIFN ESPINOSA EAIDASEC ELIN EWTR EMED ETFN ETT EADI EPTER ELDIN EINVEFIN ESS ENRGIZ EQRD ESOC ETRDECD ECINECONCS EAIT ECONEAIR ECONEFIN EUNJ ENRGKNNPMNUCPARMPRELNPTIAEAJMXL ELAD EFIM ETIC EFND EFN ETLN ENGRD EWRG ETA EIN EAIRECONRP EXIMOPIC ERA ENRGJM ECONEGE ENVI ECHEVARRIA EMINETRD EAD ECONIZ EENG ELBR EWWC ELTD EAIDMG ETRK EIPR EISNLN ETEX EPTED EFINECONCS EPCS EAG ETRDKIPR ED EAIO ETRDEC ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ERNG EFINU EURFOR EWWI ELTNSNAR ETD EAIRASECCASCID EOXC ESTN EAIDAORC EAGRRP ETRDEMIN ELABPHUMSMIGKCRMBN ETRDEINVTINTCS EGHG EAIDPHUMPRELUG EAGRBTIOBEXPETRDBN EDA EPETPGOV ELAINE EUCOM EMW EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM ELB EINDETRD EMI ETRDECONWTOCS EINR ESTRADA EHUM EFNI ELABV ENR EMN EXO EWWTPRELPGOVMASSMARRBN EATO END EP EINVETC ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID ELTRN EIQ ETTW EAI ENGRG ETRED ENDURING ETTRD EAIDEGZ EOCN EINF EUPREL ENRL ECPO ENLT EEFIN EPPD ECOIN EUEAGR EISL EIDE ENRGSD EINVECONSENVCSJA EAIG ENTG EEPET EUNCH EPECO ETZ EPAT EPTE EAIRGM ETRDPREL EUNGRSISAFPKSYLESO ETTN EINVKSCA ESLCO EBMGT ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EFLU ELND EFINOECD EAIDHO EDUARDO ENEG ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EFINTS ECONQH ENRGPREL EUNPHUM EINDIR EPE EMINECINECONSENVTBIONS EFINM ECRM EQ EWWTSP ECONPGOVBN
KFLO KPKO KDEM KFLU KTEX KMDR KPAO KCRM KIDE KN KNNP KG KMCA KZ KJUS KWBG KU KDMR KAWC KCOR KPAL KOMC KTDB KTIA KISL KHIV KHUM KTER KCFE KTFN KS KIRF KTIP KIRC KSCA KICA KIPR KPWR KWMN KE KGIC KGIT KSTC KACT KSEP KFRD KUNR KHLS KCRS KRVC KUWAIT KVPR KSRE KMPI KMRS KNRV KNEI KCIP KSEO KITA KDRG KV KSUM KCUL KPET KBCT KO KSEC KOLY KNAR KGHG KSAF KWNM KNUC KMNP KVIR KPOL KOCI KPIR KLIG KSAC KSTH KNPT KINL KPRP KRIM KICC KIFR KPRV KAWK KFIN KT KVRC KR KHDP KGOV KPOW KTBT KPMI KPOA KRIF KEDEM KFSC KY KGCC KATRINA KWAC KSPR KTBD KBIO KSCI KRCM KNNB KBNC KIMT KCSY KINR KRAD KMFO KCORR KW KDEMSOCI KNEP KFPC KEMPI KBTR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNPP KTTB KTFIN KBTS KCOM KFTN KMOC KOR KDP KPOP KGHA KSLG KMCR KJUST KUM KMSG KHPD KREC KIPRTRD KPREL KEN KCSA KCRIM KGLB KAKA KWWT KUNP KCRN KISLPINR KLFU KUNC KEDU KCMA KREF KPAS KRKO KNNC KLHS KWAK KOC KAPO KTDD KOGL KLAP KECF KCRCM KNDP KSEAO KCIS KISM KREL KISR KISC KKPO KWCR KPFO KUS KX KWCI KRFD KWPG KTRD KH KLSO KEVIN KEANE KACW KWRF KNAO KETTC KTAO KWIR KVCORR KDEMGT KPLS KICT KWGB KIDS KSCS KIRP KSTCPL KDEN KLAB KFLOA KIND KMIG KPPAO KPRO KLEG KGKG KCUM KTTP KWPA KIIP KPEO KICR KNNA KMGT KCROM KMCC KLPM KNNPGM KSIA KSI KWWW KOMS KESS KMCAJO KWN KTDM KDCM KCM KVPRKHLS KENV KCCP KGCN KCEM KEMR KWMNKDEM KNNPPARM KDRM KWIM KJRE KAID KWMM KPAONZ KUAE KTFR KIF KNAP KPSC KSOCI KCWI KAUST KPIN KCHG KLBO KIRCOEXC KI KIRCHOFF KSTT KNPR KDRL KCFC KLTN KPAOKMDRKE KPALAOIS KESO KKOR KSMT KFTFN KTFM KDEMK KPKP KOCM KNN KISLSCUL KFRDSOCIRO KINT KRG KWMNSMIG KSTCC KPAOY KFOR KWPR KSEPCVIS KGIV KSEI KIL KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KQ KEMS KHSL KTNF KPDD KANSOU KKIV KFCE KTTC KGH KNNNP KK KSCT KWNN KAWX KOMCSG KEIM KTSD KFIU KDTB KFGM KACP KWWMN KWAWC KSPA KGICKS KNUP KNNO KISLAO KTPN KSTS KPRM KPALPREL KPO KTLA KCRP KNMP KAWCK KCERS KDUM KEDM KTIALG KWUN KPTS KPEM KMEPI KAWL KHMN KCRO KCMR KPTD KCROR KMPT KTRF KSKN KMAC KUK KIRL KEM KSOC KBTC KOM KINP KDEMAF KTNBT KISK KRM KWBW KBWG KNNPMNUC KNOP KSUP KCOG KNET KWBC KESP KMRD KEBG KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KPWG KOMCCO KRGY KNNF KPROG KJAN KFRED KPOKO KM KWMNCS KMPF KJWC KJU KSMIG KALR KRAL KDGOV KPA KCRMJA KCRI KAYLA KPGOV KRD KNNPCH KFEM KPRD KFAM KALM KIPRETRDKCRM KMPP KADM KRFR KMWN KWRG KTIAPARM KTIAEUN KRDP KLIP KDDEM KTIAIC KWKN KPAD KDM KRCS KWBGSY KEAI KIVP KPAOPREL KUNH KTSC KIPT KNP KJUSTH KGOR KEPREL KHSA KGHGHIV KNNR KOMH KRCIM KWPB KWIC KINF KPER KILS KA KNRG KCSI KFRP KLFLO KFE KNPPIS KQM KQRDQ KERG KPAOPHUM KSUMPHUM KVBL KARIM KOSOVO KNSD KUIR KWHG KWBGXF KWMNU KPBT KKNP KERF KCRT KVIS KWRC KVIP KTFS KMARR KDGR KPAI KDE KTCRE KMPIO KUNRAORC KHOURY KAWS KPAK KOEM KCGC KID KVRP KCPS KIVR KBDS KWOMN KIIC KTFNJA KARZAI KMVP KHJUS KPKOUNSC KMAR KIBL KUNA KSA KIS KJUSAF KDEV KPMO KHIB KIRD KOUYATE KIPRZ KBEM KPAM KDET KPPD KOSCE KJUSKUNR KICCPUR KRMS KWMNPREL KWMJN KREISLER KWM KDHS KRV KPOV KWMNCI KMPL KFLD KWWN KCVM KIMMITT KCASC KOMO KNATO KDDG KHGH KRF KSCAECON KWMEN KRIC
PREL PINR PGOV PHUM PTER PE PREF PARM PBTS PINS PHSA PK PL PM PNAT PHAS PO PROP PGOVE PA PU POLITICAL PPTER POL PALESTINIAN PHUN PIN PAMQ PPA PSEC POLM PBIO PSOE PDEM PAK PF PKAO PGOVPRELMARRMOPS PMIL PV POLITICS PRELS POLICY PRELHA PIRN PINT PGOG PERSONS PRC PEACE PROCESS PRELPGOV PROV PFOV PKK PRE PT PIRF PSI PRL PRELAF PROG PARMP PERL PUNE PREFA PP PGOB PUM PROTECTION PARTIES PRIL PEL PAGE PS PGO PCUL PLUM PIF PGOVENRGCVISMASSEAIDOPRCEWWTBN PMUC PCOR PAS PB PKO PY PKST PTR PRM POUS PRELIZ PGIC PHUMS PAL PNUC PLO PMOPS PHM PGOVBL PBK PELOSI PTE PGOVAU PNR PINSO PRO PLAB PREM PNIR PSOCI PBS PD PHUML PERURENA PKPA PVOV PMAR PHUMCF PUHM PHUH PRELPGOVETTCIRAE PRT PROPERTY PEPFAR PREI POLUN PAR PINSF PREFL PH PREC PPD PING PQL PINSCE PGV PREO PRELUN POV PGOVPHUM PINRES PRES PGOC PINO POTUS PTERE PRELKPAO PRGOV PETR PGOVEAGRKMCAKNARBN PPKO PARLIAMENT PEPR PMIG PTBS PACE PETER PMDL PVIP PKPO POLMIL PTEL PJUS PHUMNI PRELKPAOIZ PGOVPREL POGV PEREZ POWELL PMASS PDOV PARN PG PPOL PGIV PAIGH PBOV PETROL PGPV PGOVL POSTS PSO PRELEU PRELECON PHUMPINS PGOVKCMABN PQM PRELSP PRGO PATTY PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PGVO PROTESTS PRELPLS PKFK PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PARAGRAPH PRELGOV POG PTRD PTERM PBTSAG PHUMKPAL PRELPK PTERPGOV PAO PRIVATIZATION PSCE PPAO PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PARALYMPIC PRUM PKPRP PETERS PAHO PARMS PGREL PINV POINS PHUMPREL POREL PRELNL PHUMPGOV PGOVQL PLAN PRELL PARP PROVE PSOC PDD PRELNP PRELBR PKMN PGKV PUAS PRELTBIOBA PBTSEWWT PTERIS PGOVU PRELGG PHUMPRELPGOV PFOR PEPGOV PRELUNSC PRAM PICES PTERIZ PREK PRELEAGR PRELEUN PHUME PHU PHUMKCRS PRESL PRTER PGOF PARK PGOVSOCI PTERPREL PGOVEAID PGOVPHUMKPAO PINSKISL PREZ PGOVAF PARMEUN PECON PINL POGOV PGOVLO PIERRE PRELPHUM PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PBST PKPAO PHUMHUPPS PGOVPOL PASS PPGOV PROGV PAGR PHALANAGE PARTY PRELID PGOVID PHUMR PHSAQ PINRAMGT PSA PRELM PRELMU PIA PINRPE PBTSRU PARMIR PEDRO PNUK PVPR PINOCHET PAARM PRFE PRELEIN PINF PCI PSEPC PGOVSU PRLE PDIP PHEM PRELB PORG PGGOC POLG POPDC PGOVPM PWMN PDRG PHUMK PINB PRELAL PRER PFIN PNRG PRED POLI PHUMBO PHYTRP PROLIFERATION PHARM PUOS PRHUM PUNR PENA PGOVREL PETRAEUS PGOVKDEM PGOVENRG PHUS PRESIDENT PTERKU PRELKSUMXABN PGOVSI PHUMQHA PKISL PIR PGOVZI PHUMIZNL PKNP PRELEVU PMIN PHIM PHUMBA PUBLIC PHAM PRELKPKO PMR PARTM PPREL PN PROL PDA PGOVECON PKBL PKEAID PERM PRELEZ PRELC PER PHJM PGOVPRELPINRBN PRFL PLN PWBG PNG PHUMA PGOR PHUMPTER POLINT PPEF PKPAL PNNL PMARR PAC PTIA PKDEM PAUL PREG PTERR PTERPRELPARMPGOVPBTSETTCEAIRELTNTC PRELJA POLS PI PNS PAREL PENV PTEROREP PGOVM PINER PBGT PHSAUNSC PTERDJ PRELEAID PARMIN PKIR PLEC PCRM PNET PARR PRELETRD PRELBN PINRTH PREJ PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEMEX PRELZ PFLP PBPTS PTGOV PREVAL PRELSW PAUM PRF PHUMKDEM PATRICK PGOVKMCAPHUMBN PRELA PNUM PGGV PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PBT PIND PTEP PTERKS PGOVJM PGOT PRELMARR PGOVCU PREV PREFF PRWL PET PROB PRELPHUMP PHUMAF PVTS PRELAFDB PSNR PGOVECONPRELBU PGOVZL PREP PHUMPRELBN PHSAPREL PARCA PGREV PGOVDO PGON PCON PODC PRELOV PHSAK PSHA PGOVGM PRELP POSCE PGOVPTER PHUMRU PINRHU PARMR PGOVTI PPEL PMAT PAN PANAM PGOVBO PRELHRC

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 06MANAMA2003, BAHRAIN: 2006-2007 INCSR SUBMISSION

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06MANAMA2003.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06MANAMA2003 2006-12-05 11:12 2011-08-30 01:44 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Manama
VZCZCXRO6457
OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMK #2003/01 3391112
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 051112Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6119
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 MANAMA 002003 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR INL, EB/ESC/TFS, NEA/ARP AND DS/IP/NEA 
JUSTICE FOR OIA AND AFMLS 
TREASURY FOR FINCEN AND OASIA 
ABU DHABI FOR TREAS/JBEAL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KTFN KCRM EFIN PTER SNAR BA CTR ECTRD REGION
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: 2006-2007 INCSR SUBMISSION 
 
REF: STATE 157084 
 
------------ 
Introduction 
------------ 
 
1.  Bahrain has one of the most diversified economies in the 
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). In contrast to most of its 
neighbors, oil accounted for only 11.1 percent of Bahrain's 
gross domestic product (GDP) in 2005. Bahrain has promoted 
itself as an international financial center in the Gulf 
region. It hosts a mix of: 375 diverse financial 
institutions, including 187 banks, of which 51 are wholesale 
banks (formerly referred to as off-shore banks or OBUs); 39 
investment banks; and 25 commercial banks, of which 17 are 
foreign-owned. There are 31 representative offices of 
international banks. In addition there are 21 moneychangers 
and money brokers, and several other investment institutions, 
including 85 insurance companies. (Note: Because a given 
financial institution may be counted under multiple 
sub-categories, the sum total of sub-categories listed 
exceeds 375.) The vast network of Bahrain's banking system, 
along with its geographical location in the Middle East as a 
transit point along the Gulf and into Southwest Asia, may 
attract money laundering activities. It is thought that the 
greatest risk of money laundering stems from questionable 
foreign proceeds that transit Bahrain. 
 
------------------------- 
Anti-Money Laundering Law 
------------------------- 
 
2. In January 2001 , the Government of Bahrain (GOB) enacted 
an anti-money laundering law that criminalizes the laundering 
of proceeds derived from any predicate offense. The law 
stipulated punishment of up to seven years in prison, and a 
fine of up to one million Bahraini dinars ($2.65 million) for 
convicted launderers and those aiding or abetting them. If 
organized criminal affiliation, corruption, or disguise of 
the origin of proceeds is involved, the minimum penalty is a 
fine of at least 100,000 dinars (approximately $265,000) and 
a prison term of not less than five years. 
 
3. On August 12, 2006, Bahrain passed Law 54/2006, amending 
the anti-money laundering law.  Law 54 criminalizes the 
undeclared transfer of money across international borders for 
the purpose of money laundering or in support of terrorism. 
Anyone convicted under the law of collecting or contributing 
funds, or otherwise providing financial support to a group or 
persons who practice terrorist acts, whether inside or 
outside Bahrain, will be subject to imprisonment for a 
minimum of ten years in prison up to a maximum of a life 
sentence. The law also stipulates a fine of between $26,700 
and $1.34 million. Law 54 also codified a legal basis for a 
disclosure system for cash couriers, though supporting 
regulations must still be enacted. 
 
4. A controversial feature of the new law is a revised 
definition of terrorism that is based on the Organization of 
the Islamic Conference definition. Article (2) excludes from 
the definition of terrorism acts of struggle against invasion 
or foreign aggression, colonization, or foreign supremacy in 
the interest of freedom and the nation's liberty, according 
to the principles of international law. 
 
5. Under the original anti-money laundering law, the Bahrain 
Monetary Agency (BMA)), principal financial sector regulator 
and de-facto central bank, issued regulations requiring 
financial institutions to file suspicious transaction reports 
(STRs), to maintain records for a period of five years, and 
to provide ready access for law enforcement officials to 
account information. (Note: The BMA was transformed into the 
Central Bank of Bahrain in September 2006.) Immunity from 
criminal or civil action is given to those who report 
suspicious transactions. Even prior to the enactment of the 
new anti-money laundering law, financial institutions were 
obligated to report suspicious transactions greater than 
6,000 dinars (approximately $15,000) to the BMA. The current 
requirement for filing STRs stipulates no minimum thresholds 
and since 2005 the BMA has had a secure online website that 
banks and other financial institutions can use to file STRs. 
 
6. The law also provides for the formation of an interagency 
committee to oversee Bahrain's anti-money laundering regime. 
Accordingly, in June 2001, the Policy Committee for the 
Prohibition and Combating of Money Laundering and Terrorist 
Financing was established and assigned the responsibility for 
developing anti-money laundering policies and guidelines. The 
 
MANAMA 00002003  002 OF 005 
 
 
committee, which is under the chairmanship of the Central 
Bank Deputy Governor, includes members from the Central Bank; 
the Bahrain Stock Exchange; and the Ministries of Finance and 
National Economy, Interior, Justice, Commerce, Social 
Development, and Foreign Affairs. 
 
7. In addition, the law provides for the creation of the 
Anti-Money Laundering Unit (AMLU) as Bahrain's financial 
intelligence unit (FIU). The AMLU, which is housed in the 
Ministry of Interior, is empowered to receive reports of 
money laundering offenses; conduct investigations; implement 
procedures relating to international cooperation under the 
provisions of the law; and execute decisions, orders, and 
decrees issued by the competent courts in offenses related to 
money laundering. The AMLU became a member of the Egmont 
Group of FIUs in July 2003. 
 
8. The AMLU receives suspicious transaction reports (STRs) 
from banks and other financial institutions, investment 
houses, broker/dealers, moneychangers, insurance firms, real 
estate agents, gold dealers, financial intermediaries, and 
attorneys. Financial institutions must also file STRs with 
the Central Bank, which supervises these institutions. 
Non-financial institutions are required under a Ministry of 
Industry and Commerce (MOIC) directive to also file STRs with 
that ministry. The Central Bank analyzes the STRs, of which 
it receives copies, as part of its scrutiny of compliance by 
financial institutions with anti-money laundering and 
combating terrorist financing (AML/CFT) regulations, but it 
does not independently investigate the STRs (responsibility 
for investigation rests with the AMLU). The Central Bank may 
assist the AMLU with its investigations, where special 
banking expertise is required. 
 
9. The Central Bank of Bahrain is the regulator for other 
non-banking financial institutions including insurance 
companies, exchange houses, and capital markets. The Central 
Bank inspected four insurance companies in 2005 and had 
conducted six more inspections by November 2006. More 
insurance industry inspections are scheduled for 2007. 
Anti-money laundering regulations for investment firms and 
securities brokers were revised in April 2006. 
 
10. In November 2007, the MOIC published new anti-money 
laundering guidelines, which govern designated non-financial 
businesses and professions (DNFBPs). The MOIC has also 
announced an increased focus on enforcement, noting some 300 
visits to DNFBPs in 2005, including car dealers, jewelers, 
real estate agencies, etc. By November 2006, the MOIC had 
conducted an additional 274 enforcement follow-up visits. A 
total of 140 of these have been assigned an MOIC compliance 
officer as a result. The MOIC has also increased its 
inspection team staff from four to seven. 
 
11. The MOIC system of requiring dual STR reporting to both 
it and the AMLU mirrors the Central Bank's system. Good 
cooperation exists between MOIC, Central Bank, and AMLU, with 
all three agencies describing the double filing of STRs as a 
backup system. The AMLU and Central Bank's compliance staff 
analyze the STRs and work together on identifying weaknesses 
or criminal activity, but it is the AMLU that must conduct 
the actual investigation and forward cases of money 
laundering and terrorist financing to the Office of Public 
Prosecutor. From January through November 2006, the AMLU has 
received and investigated 118 STRs, 26 of which have been 
forwarded to the courts for prosecution. The GOB completed 
its first successful money laundering prosecution in May 
2006. The prosecutions resulted in the convictions of two 
ex-pat felons with sentences of one and three years and fines 
of $380 and $1900 respectively. 
 
12. Bahrain is moving ahead with plans to establish a special 
court to try financial crimes, and judges are undergoing 
special training to handle such crimes. Six Bahraini judges 
will join a group of twelve Jordanian judges on loan to the 
Ministry of Justice to serve on the court, which is expected 
to begin hearing cases in May 2007. 
 
--------------------- 
Offshore Institutions 
--------------------- 
 
13. There are 51 Central Bank-licensed wholesale Banks 
(formerly referred to as offshore banking units (OBUs)) that 
are branches of international commercial banks. The license 
that changed OBUs to wholesale banks allows wholesale banks 
to accept deposits from citizens and residents of Bahrain, 
and undertake transactions in Bahraini dinars (with certain 
 
MANAMA 00002003  003 OF 005 
 
 
exemptions, such as dealings with other banks and government 
agencies). In all other respects, wholesale banks are 
regulated and supervised in the same way as the domestic 
banking sector. They are subject to the same regulations, 
on-site examination procedures, and external audit and 
regulatory reporting obligations. 
 
14. However, Bahrain's Commercial Companies Law (Legislative 
Decree 21 of 2001) does not permit the registration of 
offshore companies or international business companies 
(IBCs). All companies must be resident and maintain their 
headquarters and operations in Bahrain. Capital requirements 
vary, depending on the legal form of company, but in all 
cases the amount of capital required must be sufficient for 
the nature of the activity to be undertaken. In the case of 
financial services companies licensed by Central Bank, 
various minimum and risk-based capital requirements are also 
applied (in addition to a variety of other prudential 
requirements), in line with international standards of Basel 
Committee's "Core Principles for Effective Banking 
Supervision." 
 
---------------------------------- 
International Conventions and Laws 
---------------------------------- 
 
15. In March 2004, Bahrain issued a Legislative Decree 
ratifying the Convention against Transnational Organized 
Crime. In June 2004, Bahrain published two Legislative 
Decrees ratifying the UN International Convention for the 
Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, and the UN 
International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist 
Bombings.  In January 2002, the BMA issued a circular 
implementing the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Special 
Eight Recommendations on Terrorist Financing as part of the 
Central Bank's AML regulations, and subsequently froze two 
accounts designated by the UNSCR 1267 Sanctions Committee and 
one account listed under U.S. Executive Order 13224. 
 
------------------------------ 
Money Changers/Exchange Houses 
------------------------------ 
 
16. BMA Circular BC/1/2002 states that money changers may not 
transfer funds for customers in another country by any means 
other than Bahrain's banking system. In addition, all Central 
Bank licensees are required to include details of the 
originator's information with all outbound transfers. With 
respect to incoming transfers, licensees are required to 
maintain records of all originator information and to 
carefully scrutinize inward transfers that do not contain the 
originator's information, as they are presumed to be 
suspicious transactions. Licensees that suspect, or have 
reasonable grounds to suspect, that funds are linked or 
related to suspicious activities-including terrorist 
financing-are required to file suspicious transaction reports 
(STRs). Licensees must maintain records of the identity of 
their customers in accordance with the Central Bank's 
anti-money laundering regulations, as well as the exact 
amount of transfers. During 2004, the BMA consulted with the 
industry on changes to its existing AML/CFT regulations, to 
reflect revisions by the FATF to its Forty plus Nine 
Recommendations. Revised and updated BMA regulations were 
issued in mid- 2005. 
 
 
------------------------ 
Charitable Organizations 
------------------------ 
 
17. Legislative Decree No. 21 of 1989 governs the licensing 
of non-profit organizations. The Ministry of Social 
Development (MSD) is responsible for licensing and 
supervising charitable organizations in Bahrain. In February 
2004, as part of its efforts to strengthen the regulatory 
environment and fight potential terrorist financing, MSD 
issued a Ministerial Order regulating the collection of 
donated funds through charities and their eventual 
distribution, to help confirm the charities' humanitarian 
objectives. The regulations are aimed at tracking money that 
is entering and leaving the country. These regulations 
require organizations to keep records of sources and uses of 
financial resources, organizational structure, and 
membership. Charitable societies are also required to deposit 
their funds with banks located in Bahrain and may have only 
one account in one bank. The MSD has the right to inspect 
records of the societies to insure their compliance with the 
laws. Banks must report to the Central Bank any transaction 
 
MANAMA 00002003  004 OF 005 
 
 
by a charitable institution that exceeds 3,000 Bahraini 
dinars (roughly $8,000). MSD has the right to inspect records 
of the societies to insure their compliance with the law. 
 
----------------- 
Islamic Financing 
----------------- 
 
18. Bahrain is a leading Islamic finance center in the 
region. The sector has grown considerably since the licensing 
of the first Islamic bank in 1979. Bahrain has 32 Islamic 
banks and financial institutions. Given the large share of 
such institutions in Bahrain's banking community, the Central 
Bank has developed an appropriate framework for regulating 
and supervising the Islamic banking sector, applying 
regulations and supervision as it does with respect to 
conventional banks. In March 2002, the Central Bank 
introduced a comprehensive set of regulations for Islamic 
banks called the Prudential Information and Regulatory 
Framework for Islamic Banks (PIRI). The framework was 
designed to monitor certain banking aspects, such as capital 
requirements, governance, control systems, and regulatory 
reporting. 
 
-------- 
MENAFATF 
-------- 
 
19. In November 2004, Bahrain hosted the inaugural meeting of 
the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force 
(MENAFATF), which decided to place its Secretariat in 
Bahrain's capital city of Manama. An initial planning meeting 
was held in Manama in January 2004, and the FATF unanimously 
endorsed the MENAFATF proposal in July 2004. Bahrain's 
leadership was instrumental in establishing and hosting this 
entity. As a FATF-styled regional body, it promotes best 
practices on AML/CFT issues, conducts mutual evaluations of 
its members against the FATF standards, and works with its 
members to comply with international standards and measures. 
The creation of the MENAFATF is critical for pushing the 
region to improve the transparency and regulatory frameworks 
of their financial sectors. The selection of Bahrain to host 
the Secretariat of MENAFATF further demonstrates its 
commitment to combat financial crimes. 
 
20. In September 2006, Law 64/2006 replaced the BMA (de-facto 
central bank) with the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB). Law 64 
consolidated several laws that had previously governed the 
various segments of the financial services industry. Under 
the law, the CBB enjoys reinforced operational independence 
and enhanced enforcement powers. Part 9 of the law, for 
example, outlines investigational and administrative 
proceedings at the CBB's disposal to ensure compliance of 
rules and regulations by licensees. The CBB's compliance arm 
was upgraded from a unit to a directorate. Pursuant to a May 
2005 Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) finding, the 
CBB increased its compliance staff size from 6 to 7 and 
projects an increase to 9 by the start of 2007. 
 
21. In October 2006, the Policy Committee for the Prohibition 
and Combating of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing 
introduced new anti-terror finance policies and regulations, 
which were presented to MENAFATF in Al 'Ain, UAE in November 
2006. The Committee also announced the formation of two 
sub-committees, the U.N. Sub-Committee will head a new 
inter-agency framework for disseminating and reviewing 
international financial crimes designations, and the Legal 
Sub-Committee will coordinate the drafting of any future 
financial crimes legislation. 
 
22. At its November 13-15 meeting, the MENAFATF commended 
Bahrain for its achievements in the area of AML/CFT and 
praised the government for its commitment to implement the 
FATF recommendations. 
 
23. Bahrain has demonstrated a commitment to establish a 
strong anti-money laundering and terrorist financing system 
and appears determined to engage its large financial sector 
in this effort. The Anti-Money Laundering Unit should 
maintain its efforts to obtain and solidify the necessary 
expertise in tracking suspicious transactions and in 
initiating and pursuing investigations in anti-money 
laundering and counterterrorist financing cases. The Ministry 
of Social Development should expand and provide training for 
its staff with NGO/charities oversight responsibilities. 
 
 
********************************************* ******** 
 
MANAMA 00002003  005 OF 005 
 
 
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ 
********************************************* ******** 
MONROE