US embassy cable - 04MANAMA774

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Identifier:	04MANAMA774
Wikileaks:	View 04MANAMA774 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Manama
Created:	2004-05-23 15:33:00
Classification:	CONFIDENTIAL
Tags:	PREL BA KICC
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000774 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR PM/SNA, L/PM, AND NEA/ARP 
CAIRO FOR STEVE BONDY 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2029 
TAGS: PREL, BA, KICC 
SUBJECT: LAWYERS STILL STUDYING ARTICLE 98 OPTIONS 
 
REF: MANAMA 677 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald E. Neumann for reasons 1.5(b)d). 
 
1.(C) Then Charge Robert Ford used his final calls to push 
Article 98, but Bahraini lawyers are still studying entry 
into force options, Foreign Minister Shaikh Muhammad bin 
Mubarak Al-Khalifa told Charge on May 15.  Charge delivered 
copies of the entry into force notes from Tunisia, Morocco, 
and India faxed to us by T staff and advised that the word 
"ratification" need not appear in the notes exchanged.  He 
also made clear that the U.S. would not be willing to accept 
a time limitation of the agreement. 
 
2.(C) COMMENT:  A Bahraini lawyer central to the internal GOB 
debate is currently in Washington handling the legal aspects 
of the Free Trade Agreement negotiation.  We expect him to 
return in early June.  Meanwhile, the Ambassador has further 
opportunities on his schedule of farewell calls to press for 
bringing this agreement into force.  END COMMENT. 
NEUMANN