VZCZCXRO8220
OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMK #0446/01 1370958
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 170958Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6816
RHMFISS/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT  PRIORITY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 MANAMA 000446 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY CHERTOFF 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/16/2017 
TAGS: PREL MARR MASS PTER ASEC BA OFFICIALS BILAT
REGION 
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY 
CHERTOFF'S MAY 28 VISIT TO BAHRAIN 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
. 
 
¶1.  (C) Mr. Secretary, we warmly welcome your May 28 visit to 
Bahrain.  Your visit will offer an excellent opportunity to 
follow up on the March visit to Washington of Minister of 
Interior Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa, demonstrate 
our interest in and commitment to strengthening our 
cooperation on counter-terrorism, and reinforce our message 
on the importance of remaining vigilant on the issue of 
terrorism.  Shaikh Rashid views the Memorandum of 
Understanding on Homeland Security Cooperation, which he will 
sign with you during your visit, as an important symbol of 
our cooperation and as a potential vehicle for increased 
linkages and assistance with the Department of Homeland 
Security and its various agencies, including the Coast Guard. 
 Shaikh Rashid will be your official host for the visit.  We 
also expect that you will call on King Hamad bin Issa 
Al-Khalifa. 
 
------------------------- 
Suggested Points To Raise 
------------------------- 
 
¶2. (C) We suggest you raise the following points: 
 
-- Recognize the long history of cooperation and friendship 
between our two countries, traditionally based on the U.S. 
Navy presence in Bahrain but bolstered more recently by the 
signing of a bilateral free trade agreement. 
 
-- Thank Shaikh Rashid for his personal commitment to protect 
Americans and American facilities, including the Navy base 
and the Embassy, in Bahrain. 
 
-- Praise Bahrain's support for U.S. policy in the region, 
most notably on Iraq and Iran, and for its active support of 
OEF and OIF. 
 
-- Express appreciation for the positive steps that Bahrain 
has taken on counter-terrorism, and stress the need to remain 
vigilant. 
 
-- Hail the signing of the MOU on Homeland Security 
Cooperation as an important symbolic and practical measure to 
enhance our cooperation on CT issues. 
 
-- Welcome suggestions for further cooperation in the areas 
of security and counter-terrorism. 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
Shaikh Rashid: Looking to Increase Cooperation 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶3. (C) Minister of Interior Shaikh Rashid is a career 
military officer (former Chief of Staff) who, since assuming 
his position as Minister in 2004, has solidified his position 
as the key player on security and counter-terrorism  The 
Bahrain National Security Agency, which had been independent, 
now reports directly to him.  Shaikh Rashid from his military 
days enjoyed close cooperation with our military, both with 
the U.S. Navy in Bahrain and through FMS/FMF purchases.  As 
Minister of Interior, he continues to welcome cooperation 
with and assistance from the United States.  Although he has 
actively benefited from counter-terrorism assistance 
available through various ATA training programs, he has been 
frustrated that he has not had access to funding of equipment 
that he enjoyed through FMS/FMF.  He will welcome any 
assistance for the Bahrain Coast Guard, which comes under his 
ministry. 
 
-------------------------------------------- 
Military Relations: Core of the Relationship 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) The U.S. Navy has worked closely with Bahrain for 
more than 50 years.  When the U.S. Fifth Fleet was 
re-commissioned in 1995, Bahrain took the then-controversial 
step of being the first Gulf state to provide host government 
support for regionally "home-ported" U.S. Navy forces. 
Bahrain remains the only country in the region that hosts a 
permanent component command headquarters. 
 
¶5. (C) Bahrain's relatively stable and secure political 
environment allows deployed U.S. Navy ships to stop, 
replenish supplies, and provide crews much needed onshore 
 
MANAMA 00000446  002 OF 004 
 
 
rest and recreation opportunities.  Bahrain is currently one 
of the U.S. Navy's busiest overseas ports.  In direct support 
of OEF and OIF, Bahrain in 2003 deployed 1,500 troops, a tank 
battalion task force, and a frigate to defend Kuwait and flew 
combat air patrols over Kuwait and Bahrain.  A special 
operations unit embedded in a UAE contingent deployed to 
Afghanistan in 2005.  Bahrain assigned three shore-based 
naval officers to work in the command post for coalition 
maritime task force CTF-150, which covers the Strait of 
Hormuz to the Sea of Aden.  For CTF-152, which covers central 
Gulf waters, Bahrain has provided one frigate and two 
corvettes.  Bahrain was the first GCC country to participate 
in the CTFs. 
 
¶6. (C) With a small economy and limited petroleum resources, 
Bahrain faces greater budget constraints than its large Gulf 
neighbors and does not have the financial ability to fund 
military equipment sustainment and upgrades needed to 
maintain interoperability with the U.S. and to purchase 
equipment to defend the country.  We have had active FMF and 
IMET programs in Bahrain for several years but the FMF 
program in particular has declined precipitously in recent 
years, from $90 million in 2003 to a budgeted $15 million for 
FY 2007, to a projected $4 million for FY 2008.  We are 
working closely with the Bahrainis on the CENTCOM Bilateral 
Air Defense Initiative and an upgrade for their early warning 
and air defense radar systems, a program that has been 
promoted in the Gulf Security Dialogue.  A proposal to 
provide two MK-V Fast Patrol Boats to the Bahraini Navy 
through counter-terrorism (1206) funding has been approved by 
the Secretaries of State and Defense.  Separately, six Boston 
Whalers that were originally programmed for Thailand will be 
diverted to Bahrain.  This transfer has been approved by the 
Departments of State and Defense and is pending congressional 
approval. 
 
----------------------- 
Coast Guards in Bahrain 
----------------------- 
 
¶7. (U) The U.S. Coast Guard has six patrol boats (with crews 
of 22) that operate out of Bahrain, and 90 support and 
command staff assigned to USCG Bahrain.  The Coast Guard 
Commodore commands CTF-55.6, which trains, equips, deploys, 
and supports maritime forces conducting operations in support 
of OIF and OEF in the NAVCENT area of responsibility.  He has 
under his command, in addition to the six Coast Guard patrol 
boats, five U.S. Navy patrol boats. 
 
¶8. (U) The Bahrain Coast Guard (BCG) was established in 1974 
and has approximately 750 personnel.  The BCG fleet consists 
of approximately 50 vessels.  All are less than 20 meters in 
length, with the exception of one 30-meter patrol craft. 
Shaikh Rashid has expressed interest in obtaining additional 
boats for the Coast Guard, and wishes to upgrade the existing 
Bahrain coastal surveillance system. 
 
-------------------------- 
Counter-terrorism/Security 
-------------------------- 
 
¶9. (S) Since a low point in Summer 2004, when the Navy 
ordered its dependents to depart Bahrain following the arrest 
and then prompt release of six terror suspects, bilateral 
security and intelligence cooperation has improved greatly, 
particularly in the operational area.  For example, the 
government shared detailed information with us regarding 
surveillance of the Navy base and took effective measures to 
disrupt any potential threat.  The GOB provides perimeter 
security for the Navy base and the adjacent DOD school, and 
works and trains closely with the Embassy and Navy on 
security, contingency planning, and consequence management. 
Recently, Shaikh Rashid suggested that the MOI, Navy base, 
and Embassy establish a committee to study ways to enhance 
security around the base and develop contingencies in the 
event, for example, that hostilities broke out with Iran. 
 
¶10. (S) A counter-terrorism bill entitled "Protecting Society 
from Terrorist Acts" entered into force in August 2006.  The 
law defines the types of acts considered to be terrorism, 
applies tough penalties, and criminalizes conspiracy to 
commit terrorist acts.  There is some question about whether 
the conspiracy clause will hold up given the constitutional 
court's June 2006 decision that a similar article in the 
penal code was unconstitutional.  In September 2006, the 
prosecutor general released eight Bahrainis on bond following 
 
MANAMA 00000446  003 OF 004 
 
 
an investigation into possible terrorist activities. 
Although several members of the cell admitted to planning to 
travel to Afghanistan for "jihad," the prosecutor general 
decided he did not have enough evidence to charge them under 
the CT law. 
 
¶11. (S) Bahrain's demographics have an impact on security 
issues in Bahrain.  The ruling royal family is Sunni; a 
majority of the population is Shia.  The Shia have been 
underrepresented in the government, especially in the 
security areas, and make up a disproportionate share of the 
country's poor, underemployed and unemployed population. 
Developments in Iraq and Iran have both energized Shia in 
Bahrain and raised apprehensions among some Sunnis.  The 
government, ever fearful of Iranian meddling in Bahrain, is 
eager to focus on potential Shia/Iranian security threats. 
Our challenge has been to ensure that they remain equally 
focused on Al-Qaida-related Sunni terror threats. 
 
------------- 
Engaging Iraq 
------------- 
 
¶12. (S) The GOB publicly supports U.S. operations in Iraq, 
but as King Hamad and Crown Prince Salman have said several 
times, it believes Iraqi forces should be moving to the front 
lines in place of coalition forces.  This would force Iraqis 
to take responsibility for their own security and put the GOI 
into the position of requesting assistance from its Arab 
neighbors, which the Bahrainis feel it has not yet done in a 
meaningful way.  Bahrain is mistrustful of the Iraqi 
government and it would like to see Maliki make greater moves 
to reconcile with Iraq's Sunnis.  Bahrain participated in the 
recent Iraq Neighbors and International Compact with Iraq 
meetings in Egypt.  The GOB's greatest concerns related to 
Iraq are what they view as excessive Iranian influence over 
the government of Iraq, and sectarian violence that could 
spill over into Bahrain, with its Shia-majority population 
ruled by a Sunni-controlled government.  To help prevent 
problems from Iraq spilling into Bahrain (especially from 
Shia), the government has put a virtual ban on Iraqis 
traveling to Bahrain. 
 
----------------- 
Dealing With Iran 
----------------- 
 
¶13.  (C) The Bahraini leadership is greatly concerned about 
the threat posed by Iran and increased tensions between Iran 
and the international community.  Crown Prince Salman has 
suggested several times that the U.S. and GCC countries hold 
a significant military exercise in the Gulf, which would send 
a strong signal to Iran.  Bahrain hosted and participated in 
Proliferation Security Initiative exercise Leading Edge last 
October, and the boarding/interrogation portion took place 
just outside its territorial waters.  NAVCENT personnel were 
impressed with the Bahraini Navy's professionalism and 
aggressiveness during the exercise. 
 
¶14.  (C) The Bahraini leadership is united in its suspicion 
of Iranian intentions regarding Bahrain and often sees an 
Iranian hand in incidents involving Bahrain's Shia community. 
 It is convinced that Iran seeks to develop nuclear weapons 
and assert its influence around the region.  Bahrain supports 
and implements UN Security Council resolutions applying 
sanctions on Iran.  At the same time, Bahrain faces the 
reality that it must live with its large neighbor across the 
Gulf.  Bahrain maintains "correct" but not warm diplomatic 
relations with Iran, with Bahraini leaders meeting with 
Iranian officials when they visit and occasional Bahraini 
visits to Tehran.  Bahraini officials repeatedly assert their 
strong view that the international community should engage in 
diplomacy to deal with Iran, and not resort to a military 
solution.  They recognize, however, that a robust military 
posture can facilitate diplomacy. 
 
---------- 
Parliament 
---------- 
 
¶15.  (C) Bahrain in November/December 2006 conducted its 
second set of parliamentary and municipal elections since the 
adoption of the 2002 constitution.  Some 70 percent of 
registered voters and all political societies participated in 
the elections, with oppositionists winning 18 of 40 seats in 
the elected lower house Council of Representatives.  Major 
 
MANAMA 00000446  004 OF 004 
 
 
Shia political society Al-Wifaq boycotted the 2002 election, 
but participated in 2006, gaining 17 of the 18 opposition 
seats.  Sunni Islamists took 15 seats, so membership is 
marked by a stark Sunni-Shia divide.  One woman, Lateefa Al 
Qaoud, ran unopposed and is Bahrain's first female elected 
member of parliament.  The legislative session is expected to 
recess in late May.  The five-month session was characterized 
by the various blocs and members getting to know each other 
and building confidence in their ability to work together. 
Oppositionists mostly steered clear of hot-button issues such 
as amending the constitution and redrawing electoral 
constituencies.  However, in early May, Al Wifaq requested 
that a minister and senior member of the ruling family face 
questioning about alleged illegal financial transactions.  Al 
Wifaq ultimately agreed to withdraw the request for now but 
could revive it after the summer recess. 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
Middle East Homeland and Global Security Forum 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶16. (U) Shaikh Rashid last month presided with great public 
fanfare over an event announcing that Bahrain would host a 
regional forum on homeland and global security November 
19-22.  He subsequently wrote to invite you speak at the 
forum.  The Forum will be organized by CransMontanaForum, and 
the initial program includes such broad topics as the global 
approach to today's terrorism, prevention and assessment, 
specific concerns in the Middle East, and cooperation between 
the public and private sectors.  The organizers anticipate 
inviting Ministers, Central Bank Governors, heads of police, 
customs and intelligence organizations, and academics from 
the Middle East and other major countries.  Shaikh Rashid 
will most likely reiterate his invitation to attend this 
event during your May 28 visit here. 
 
********************************************* ******** 
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ 
********************************************* ******** 
MONROE