VZCZCXRO3672
OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMK #0661/01 1971405
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 161405Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7024
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 0651
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 1337
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0683
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY 0948
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 1208
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT PRIORITY 1016
RUEHYN/AMEMBASSY SANAA PRIORITY 0678
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS PRIORITY 0280
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT  PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000661 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2017 
TAGS: PGOV PREL BA BILAT POL REFORM
SUBJECT: NDI REACHES AGREEMENT ON RESUMING PROGRAMMING IN 
BAHRAIN 
 
REF: MANAMA 450 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
¶1.  (SBU) NDI reached agreement July 12 with the Bahrain 
Institute for Political Development (BIPD) on a Statement of 
Principles that will allow NDI to resume programming in 
Bahrain more than a year after it was asked to close down its 
office in the Kingdom.  The agreement calls for NDI and BIPD 
to enter into a six-month initial period of cooperation that 
will begin in October 2007.  NDI and BIPD tentatively agreed 
on an initial program in October after Ramadan that will 
focus on constituency relations.  The text of the Statement 
of Principles is in para 5. 
 
¶2. (C) The agreement was signed during a July 11-12 visit to 
Bahrain of NDI country project director Scott Bates and 
regional program director Leigh Catherine Miles.  The run-up 
to the visit was inauspicious as it featured a series of 
press reports in which BIPD Board of Directors President 
Lulwa Al-Awadhi appeared to lay down rather strict conditions 
under which NDI would be permitted to operate in Bahrain. 
However, after Al-Awadhi presented a rather rigid document 
for discussion at a July 11 meeting at BIPD headquarters, 
Bates proposed that instead the two sides draft a simple 
statement of basic principles on which their cooperation 
would be based.  Al-Awadhi agreed, as long as the document 
contained a) a time period for cooperation, which could later 
be extended; b) mention of the program on which they would 
work jointly; and c) acknowledgment of respect for Bahrain's 
laws and sovereignty.  Working together, Bates, Miles, 
Al-Awadhi, and BPD Executive Director Abdullah Al-Ashaal 
drafted the statement and agreed that they would move forward 
in the context of the principles. 
 
¶3.  (C) On July 12, Bates and Miles held positive meetings 
with representatives of the three largest parliamentary blocs 
to discuss NDI programming with the Council of 
Representatives (COR).  COR first deputy speaker and Al-Asala 
(Salafi) president Ghanim Al-Buainain expressed support for 
the return of NDI and said that MPs will benefit from the 
type of programming Bates and Miles described.  Al-Minbar 
(Muslim Brotherhood) spokesman and public services committee 
head Dr. Ali Ahmed, who recently returned from the 
legislative drafting institute conducted by Tulane University 
and whose trip was sponsored by NDI, welcomed the news that 
BIPD and NDI had signed an agreement, reportedly saying that 
the agreement clears the way for Al-Minbar MPs to participate 
in NDI programs.  Al-Wifaq members Jalal Fairooz and Dr. 
Jasim Hussain, the latter of whom also attended the 
legislative drafting institute with Ahmed, also welcomed the 
return of NDI and looked forward to benefits from NDI 
activities for them and their Al-Wifaq colleagues.  Finally, 
Bates and Miles met with independent Sunni and Economic and 
Financial Affairs committee head Dr. Abdulaziz Abul, who was 
optimistic about NDI's return and anticipated that MPs will 
be eager to participate. 
 
¶4. (C) Comment: The sharp press play in the run-up to the 
visit demonstrated how sensitive NDI still is in certain 
circles in Bahrain, and adds a cautionary note to the success 
of this visit.  NDI detractors will be watching it closely, 
and Lulwa Al-Awadhi can be difficult to work with.  That 
said, this visit marked a very welcomed step forward in our 
efforts to get NDI back in business in Bahrain, and we now do 
have agreement to resume programming.  Furthermore, the 
support shown for NDI programming by the two Sunni Islamist 
societies, Al-Minbar and Al-Asala, is a most positive 
development.  End Comment. 
 
¶5.  (C) Following is the text of the Statement of Principles 
signed by Lulwa Al-Awadhi and Scott Bates on July 12: 
 
Statement of Principles 
Bahrain Institute for Political Development and National 
Democratic Institute 
 
One.  The BIPD and NDI agree to enter into an initial period 
of cooperation for six months on issues of mutual interest. 
The initial period will commence in October 2007 with the 
implementation of an initiative conducted in partnership 
 
MANAMA 00000661  002 OF 002 
 
 
between the BIPD and NDI.  During the initial period of 
cooperation either party may evaluate the relationship and 
make a determination regarding continued cooperation. 
 
Two.  The BIPD and NDI will agree to a joint work plan as the 
basis of their cooperation. 
 
Three.  NDI and its personnel affirm their respect for the 
sovereignty of the Kingdom of Bahrain and all the laws and 
regulations of the Kingdom. 
 
Four.  The BIPD and NDI affirm their mutual respect for and 
support of democratic principles of governance. 
 
End text of statement. 
 
********************************************* ******** 
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ 
********************************************* ******** 
MONROE