US embassy cable - 04MANAMA1060

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001060 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
DEPT FOR DSS, DS/IP/NEA, DS/ITA, INL, S/CT, NEA/EX AND 
NEA/ARP, NSC FOR NICK RASMUSSEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2014 
TAGS: ALOW, ASEC, BA, PREL, PTER 
SUBJECT: THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR LINE ON TERRORISM 
 
REF: MANAMA 802 
 
Classified By: CDA MOLLY WILLIAMSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d) 
 
1. (S/NF) CDA Molly Williamson, PMIL and RSO met for 90 
minutes with Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid and 
Brigadier General Zayani Saturday July 3, 2004 at 1100 to 
discuss cooperation on counter-terrorism and security issues. 
COMMENT: King Hamad and his advisors have done the calculus 
on the catch and release decision regarding the six al Qaeda 
extremists. They have not changed their position on the 
issue, nor have they blinked at the travel warning or 
departure of dependents by the Navy. The GOB is not 
considering rearresting the men unless substantial new 
evidence is found. We think that they have the evidence to 
present, but there are no signs they intend to do so. END 
COMMENT 
 
- - - - - - - 
THE MOI PITCH 
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2. (S/NF) Shaikh Rashid commented on the difficult situation 
we face now. The Bahrainis take pride in the U.S. - Bahrain 
bond during two wars. He also noted the need for more 
intelligence sharing in the future. He's responsible for the 
security of Bahrain and its foreign guests. Nothing will 
happen if he can help it since the consequence would be too 
damaging to Bahrain. There is a lot riding on the joint 
relationship now, 50 years of friendship with the with U.S., 
major non-NATO ally status, the Free Trade Agreement and the 
Navy presence, he said. 
 
3. (S/NF) The incident involving the arrest and release of 
the 6 extremist was characterized as a "small item" and we've 
overcome worse before. Shaikh Rashid was firm about there 
being no evidence found during six or seven searches (the 
police originally reported 26 sites were searched) to keep 
the six men in jail. The Attorney General released the men 
based on due process, transparency and democracy. The 
Minister thought the arrests would be appreciated and 
commented that the attack planning phase had been disrupted 
or delayed. He stated the case is still being built and asked 
PMIL about what information had been found on the seized 
computer hard drives. He was uncertain why the government was 
being blamed for the quick release of the six extremists and 
caused the Travel Warning to be issued. 
 
4. (S/NF) He focused on getting past this event, looking to 
the future and working together. The extremists have given 
press conferences, been cheered by civic leaders and are 
recognized by Parliamentarians as heroes. The six men are 
seen as driving a wedge between the U.S. and Bahrain. The 
Government of Bahrain wants to put this event behind them, 
move toward the future and develop the closest level of 
cooperation on security and counter-terrorism issues. The 
Minister asked for two MOUs: 1) top secret access to 
documents (these documents are shared with a few Bahrain 
National Security Agency personnel at this time), and 2) 
provide U.S. assistance to develop a Counter-Terrorism 
Operations Center to improve intelligence and law enforcement 
capabilities. 
 
- - - - - - - - - 
THE CHARGE'S TURN 
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5. (S/NF) CDA Williamson replied that the arrest of the 
extremists is not a "gift" to the U.S. nor is their rapid 
release about "democracy." The issue is Bahraini national 
security, and what steps the GOB is prepared to take in its 
own interest. The previous 50 years of friendship, MNNA, FTA 
and ATA are now being looked at differently by the U.S. as a 
result of the GOB releasing the known extremists. The Navy 
base is sending its dependents back to the US. The Embassy is 
being pressured by the Department to justify why its 
dependents are not leaving also. It becomes difficult to 
encourage trade and advance programs when Embassy staff and 
families may depart Bahrain. Several defense contractors and 
businesses have ordered their people back to the US or will 
relocate their personnel to Dubai. 
 
6. (S/NF) The U.S. applauds the GOB efforts to apprehend the 
men, but confidence in the GOB plummeted when they were 
released 43 hours later. This sends a message to the U.S. 
that al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations can operate 
in Bahrain without severe penalties. The only cost to the 
extremists is to worry about being arrested every few months 
and then spend less than a weekend in jail. There is almost 
no penalty for terrorists planning to attack Americans in 
Bahrain. The public stature of the six has been elevated 
substantially with press interviews, meetings with civic 
leaders and support from  Parliamentarians. The extremists 
are now on the street and have continued planning operations. 
We know about these men but there may be other terrorist 
cells in Bahrain planning other attacks. The BNSA and MOI do 
not have the resources or training to know where they are at 
all times. They must be prevented from operating freely and 
communicating with their leadership and supporters. 
 
 
WILLIAMSON