VZCZCXRO1620
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK
DE RUEHMK #2024/01 3451245
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 111245Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6165
INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT  PRIORITY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 002024 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2016 
TAGS: PREL MARR BA BILAT REGION
SUBJECT: CROWN PRINCE AND A/S HILLEN DISCUSS SECURITY 
ASSURANCES, REGIONAL CHALLENGES 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
. 
 
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Summary 
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¶1.  (C) In their December 8 meeting on the eve of the opening 
of the IISS Manama Dialogue conference, Crown Prince Shaikh 
Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa told a U.S. delegation led by 
State A/S Hillen, CENTCOM Vice Admiral Nichols, and NSC 
Senior Director Doran that the stronger the U.S. message is 
on security commitments to the region, the better.  He 
recommended joint military exercises, a gently escalating 
tone in public statements, and a specific declaration of U.S. 
intent.  Bahrain and the UAE would welcome a guarantee, and 
getting Saudi Arabia on board would provide "critical mass." 
The CP said that intelligence gathering in the region is 
often unsophisticated and recommended that the U.S. hold 
confidential briefings for officials and decision makers. The 
 
SIPDIS 
CP said the government was worried about Iran employing 
Hizballah-like tactics in Bahrain, exploiting extremists in 
the local Shia population.  Bahrain does not trust Iran and 
considers it to be a strategic threat.  The CP said that in 
his speech to the IISS conference, he would call for dialogue 
with Syria.  (He did not mention Syria in his speech but did 
call for engaging Iran.)  The U.S. side said President Bush, 
during his press conference with PM Blair, had made clear the 
conditions he placed on dialogue with Syria and Iran.  A/S 
Hillen noted that peeling Syria away from Iran would be a 
major setback for Iran.  The CP said that Palestinian PM 
Haniyah had visited Bahrain recently and asked for money.  If 
Haniyah gains negotiating strength, he said, it will make 
things worse.  End Summary. 
 
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Strong Message on U.S. Security Commitment to Region 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶2.  (C) Meeting on the eve of the opening of the IISS Manama 
Dialogue conference, Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al 
Khalifa told Assistant Secretary of State for 
Political-Military Affairs Hillen, Deputy CENTCOM Commander 
Vice Admiral Nichols, NSC Senior Director for Middle East and 
North Africa Affairs Doran, and the Ambassador December 8 
that he wants to work with the U.S. to energize the Gulf 
Security Dialogue (GSD).  He proposed that he lead the 
Bahraini delegation to a Spring 2007 GSD plenary in 
Washington.  A/S Hillen welcomed a full exchange of ideas at 
that time and asked the CP his view of the possibility of 
moves to reaffirm and update the nature of U.S. security 
commitments in the region as a way to counter Iranian 
hegemony.  He requested the CP's advice on form and timing, 
if a statement were made.  The CP replied that an explicit 
declaration would be "very much appreciated" and the stronger 
the message is, the better.  There should be exercises, a 
"gently escalating tone" in public statements, and a specific 
declaration of U.S. intent. 
 
¶3.  (C) The CP said that the UAE and Bahrain would welcome a 
U.S. security declaration.  Qatar is "hard to read," but if 
the U.S. gets Saudi support for the idea, there will be 
critical mass.  As he has mentioned at other times, the CP 
recommended a "Bright Star-like" major multilateral naval 
exercise in the Gulf.  By maintaining the pace of exercises, 
he said, more regional parties will participate. 
 
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Intel Gathering Unsophisticated 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (C) Shaikh Salman cautioned that intelligence gathering 
in the region is unsophisticated, and leadership decisions 
are often based upon television reports and public 
perceptions.  For example, in the recent Iranian military 
exercise "Noble Prophet," the reality was much less important 
than the television images.  Bahrain and the United States 
should ensure we see things in the same way on intelligence 
matters by pursuing confidential briefings. 
 
¶5.  (C) The CP said that in his December 9 speech to IISS 
conference delegates, he would call activities in the nuclear 
field unwelcome because they would encourage others to launch 
programs and lead to an arms race.  He will also talk about 
Iraq, citing the need for progress on federalism, 
rationalizing the de-Baathification program, expanding oil 
output, and disarming militias.  On the Israel-Palestinian 
track, he will echo what is going on already. 
 
 
MANAMA 00002024  002 OF 002 
 
 
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Iran a Strategic Threat to Bahrain 
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¶6.  (S) The United States shares Bahrain's strategic outlook, 
A/S Hillen replied.  We worry that Iran may reach the wrong 
conclusion about its policies - pursuing the nuclear program, 
supporting Hizballah and other armed groups - to promote 
hegemony in the region.  The U.S. is focusing on the nuclear 
policy and is concerned that Iran's actions could lead to 
greater proliferation.  The Crown Prince said Bahrain has a 
vital interest in Iran not employing Hizballah-like tactics 
in Bahrain, exploiting extremists in the local Shia 
population, for example, like some involved in the Haq 
Movement.  The government is watching Shia extremists just 
like it watches Sunni extremists.  Bahrain does not trust 
Iran and considers it to be a strategic threat.  Bahrain 
wants to contain Iran and to work closely with the United 
States. 
 
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Question of Dialogue with Syria 
------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (C) On Syria, the Crown Prince said the Asad regime feels 
isolated and is looking for anyone who can help it.  Bahrain 
wants Syria to cease and desist in Lebanon to improve the 
chances for progress on the Golan Heights and the Syria 
track.  In his speech to the IISS conference, he will call 
for dialogue.  (In fact, he made no mention of Syria in his 
speech.  He did, however, call for engaging Iran.)  Dr. Doran 
referred to the recent press statement by President Bush, in 
which he made clear the conditions for a dialogue with Syria. 
 There needs to be more pressure sooner, Doran said. 
President Asad is riding high, and he views any engagement as 
a victory.  A/S Hillen said that down the road, peeling Syria 
away from Iran would be a major setback for Iran.  U.S. 
policy is hard-edged, but in combination with the policies of 
others, we can achieve this goal.  The CP commented that Iran 
was getting a high profile from its regional relations, 
including with Syria, and containment and deterrence are 
important concepts in dealing with this threat. 
 
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Engagement on Palestinian Track 
------------------------------- 
 
¶8.  (C) In response to Shaikh Salman's question, A/S Hillen 
said the Secretary's meeting with GCC foreign ministers on 
the margins of the Jordan Forum for the Future conference had 
gone very well.  The U.S. appreciates GCC support for 
reengagement on the Israel-Palestinian track.  Dr. Doran said 
that the move to change the Palestinian government had come 
to a halt.  Based upon Abu Mazen's track record, this halt 
could be tactical.  The United States has emphasized the need 
to build up and improve the Palestinian security services so 
that they can take on Hamas one day, if necessary.  The CP 
stated that Prime Minister Haniyah had visited Bahrain 
recently and asked for money.  Qatar had reportedly offered 
$40 million.  If Haniyah gains negotiating strength, Shaikh 
Salman said, it will make things worse. 
 
¶9.  (U) A/S Hillen and Dr. Doran cleared this cable. 
 
 
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MONROE