US embassy cable - 04MANAMA486

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000486 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/06/2014 
TAGS: BA, IZ, MOPS, PREL 
SUBJECT: BAHRAINI GOVERNMENT MULL STATEMENT ON IRAQ, 
WONDERS ABOUT IGC STATEMENT 
 
REF: MANAMA 476 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Robert Ford, reason 1.4 (a) and (d) 
 
1.  (C)  Charge followed up with a top political advisor to 
Bahrain's King Hamed bin Isa on April 6 to brief on Iraq 
developments and urge a statement of public support for U.S. 
efforts in Iraq.  The King's advisor said that the King and 
his kitchen cabinet had discussed Iraq events and our request 
of April 5 for a public statement.  The Bahrainis are 
strongly supportive, the aide underlined, saying quote you 
are doing what you must do unquote.  The GoB, however, is 
reluctant to issue any kind of public statement before the 
Iraq Governing Council (IGC) itself comments on the latest 
violence, he cautioned.  Charge promised to check on IGC 
statements and be back in touch. 
 
2.  (C)  Separately, the MFA's Minister of State also 
affirmed to Charge on April 6 that the GoB is entirely 
understanding and supportive of U.S. operations in Iraq; the 
Sadr threat, he commented, must not be allowed to continue. 
On the issue of a Bahraini public statement, however, he said 
the GoB does not want to get ahead of other governments.  He 
asked we provide texts of any other government's statements 
on the latest developments in Iraq. 
 
3.  (U)   Baghdad minimize considered. 
FORD