US embassy cable - 04MANAMA1213

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001213 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP AND DS/IP/NEA 
LONDON FOR ETHAN GOLDRICH 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2029 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, KJUS, PTER, BA, KSEC 
SUBJECT: JUSTICE MINISTER DISCUSSES COUNTER-TERRORISM LAW 
 
REF: MANAMA 1120 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Susan L. Ziadeh for 
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C)  SUMMARY.  On August 2, Minister of Justice Jawad Al 
Arrayed stressed to Charge that there is strong political 
will at the highest levels of the GOB to fight terrorism and 
ensure national security.  Minister Al Arrayed told Charge, 
in confidence, that H.M. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is 
personally lobbying members of Parliament to ensure passage 
of Bahrain's new counter-terrorism law.  This law is designed 
to fill any gaps that exist in the criminal code to combat 
terrorism. Al Arrayed also intimated that the King in his 
capacity as Head of the Supreme Judicial Council, legally 
ordered the Attorney General to resolve his communication 
issues with the police and prepare a solid case against the 
six Bahraini terror suspects (see reftel) within the context 
of Bahraini law.  Al Arrayed said the King wants to send a 
strong message to those elements that challenge security, 
"Don't play games with the security of Bahrain." END SUMMARY. 
 
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BAHRAIN's CT LAW 
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2.  (C)  The Justice Minister told Charge that in November 
2003 the King personally tasked him to draft a 
counter-terrorism law.  He explained that this law is 
designed to fill any gaps that exist in the criminal code to 
fight terrorism. The Justice Minister added that the law 
passed Cabinet review and now requires Parliamentary 
approval. Al Arrayed expects there to be some debate in 
Parliament, because there are some who view the 
counter-terrorism law as a direct response to US concerns. 
However, Al Arrayed stressed to Charge that the King wants 
this law to move forward and he has personally started 
lobbying members of Parliament to ensure the law's passage. 
Parliament will convene for its third session in October. 
 
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DUE PROCESS - BAHRAINI SIX 
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3.  (C)  Responding to Charge's request, the Justice 
Minister clarified judicial procedure as previously reported 
(see reftel) with regards to the case against the six 
Bahraini terror suspects.  He expects the case to go to 
trial, but did not specify when.  The Justice Minister 
acknowledged that there are communication problems between 
the Ministry of Interior and the Public Prosecutor's Office 
that have created unwarranted obstacles.  He added that the 
separation of the Public Prosecutor's Office from the 
Ministry of Interior (less than one year ago) and the youth 
and inexperience of some prosecutors also contributed to 
communication difficulties. 
 
4. (C)  Al Arrayed said nonetheless, the King personally 
ordered the Attorney General to fully cooperate and 
communicate with the Ministry of Interior to prepare the case 
for the prosecution within the context of Bahraini law. 
Minister Al Arrayed explained that with regard to legal 
issues, the Prosecutor's Office comes under the jurisdiction 
of the Supreme Judicial Council.  The King is the Head of the 
Supreme Judicial Council and as such has the legal right to 
order the Attorney General to responsibly carry out his 
duties. 
ZIADEH