US embassy cable - 04MANAMA1227

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001227 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
DEPT FOR DSS, DS/IP/NEA, DS/ITA, INL, S/CT, NEA/EX AND 
NEA/ARP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2014 
TAGS: ASEC, PTER, PREL, PGOV, BA 
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF INTERIOR: HELP US PUT THESE GUYS AWAY 
 
REF: STATE 155752 
 
Classified By: CDA SUSAN ZIADEH FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d) 
 
1. (S/NF) CDA, RSO and POL met with Interior Minister General 
Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and Under-Secretary for 
Operations Brigadier General Abdel-Latif Zayani August 3 to 
discuss the status of the investigation regarding the six 
Bahraini extremists in custody, security issues and U.S. 
assistance in establishing a Counter-Terrorism Operations 
Center. 
 
2. (S/NF)  ACTION: Embassy requests DS/ATA and S/CT provide 
assistance/expertise for the MOI to establish a 
Counter-Terrorism Operations Center. The MOI document will be 
faxed for review and comment. 
 
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The Relationship 
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3. (S/NF) Shaikh Rashid opened the meeting by welcoming the 
Charge to Bahrain and stated that there should be no doubt 
about the strong ties between Bahrain and the U.S. He 
commented that both governments should be proud of the strong 
mutual relationship and emphasized that there is great 
political will on the part of the Bahraini government to 
maintain security and protect U.S. interests. 
 
4. (S/NF) Charge noted the GOB's support regarding security 
issues and indicated that Bahrain faces new terrorism 
challenges. Shaikh Rashid agreed there are threats, and said 
the six arrested were destructive elements seeking to cause 
trouble.  He acknowledged that the six were local elements 
and that Bahrain could no longer simply point to a regional 
problem.  "We are not immune ", he said.  Shaikh Rashid 
highlighted that he and the GOB recognize they must not be 
late, like Saudi Arabia, in dealing with terrorism. 
 
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Democracy and Law 
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5. (S/NF) Charge asked for an update on the investigation. 
Shaikh Rashid stated that Bahrain is in a new era of 
democracy and the GOB must demonstrate credibility to the 
public regarding the re-arrest of the six extremists so soon 
after their earlier release.  He affirmed that the six 
extremists were working toward an attack but admitted that so 
far the case is legally difficult to prove. He stated that a 
counter-terrorism law King Hamad supports is now ready for 
the Parliament to review and will likely be approved. The 
Minister indicated that the MOI could present a case to the 
prosecutor in advance of the 45-day detention period if 
sufficient evidence is developed; alternatively, should 
additional time be needed, the detention could be extended. 
The MOI and Bahrain's National Security Agency (NSA) will 
continue to work on the case. He acknowledged Ministry of 
Interior (MOI) and NSA shortcomings in investigative 
techniques and interrogations, and was unsure whether 
sufficient evidence has been developed to connect the six men 
with crimes. He did recognize that the computer forensics 
investigation has yielded bomb making plans, but was not sure 
whether it would meet the threshold for prosecution. Shaikh 
Rashid asked for Embassy assistance in developing evidence 
and the complete sharing of information. 
 
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Counter-Terrorism Operations Center 
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6. (S/NF) Charge sought clarity on the scope of the proposed 
counterterrorism center and GOB efforts to launch this 
effort.  Shaikh Rashid responded that he had initiated this 
idea in his previous position as Chief of Staff of the 
Bahrain Defense Forces and given current trends in the 
region, it was more critical than ever that Bahrain establish 
this capability. The Shaikh asked the Charge for assistance 
in establishing a CT Operations Center (CTOC) (reftel) in 
Manama to coordinate the efforts of the MOI, NSA, Bahrain 
Defense Forces, National Guard and U.S. agencies. NOTE: The 
MOI provided RSO a copy of their initial CTOC plan. RSO will 
request assistance from DS/ATA and S/CT to pursue the 
request. END NOTE. 
 
7. (S/NF) The Charge expressed appreciation for MOI 
cooperation and indicated that the Embassy would inquire 
about the Department providing assistance for a CTOC. 
 
8.  (S/NF)  COMMENT:  ORCA has been working to assist in 
developing additional information, such as computer analysis, 
that can be used to pin a case on the detainees.  The CTOC is 
a step in the right direction to help Bahrain iron out 
interagency communication and turf battles.  How long it will 
take to stand up and how effectively its members will play 
remains to be seen - but recognition of the need and movement 
to stand up a CTOC on the part of the GOB is a welcome sign. 
END COMMENT 
ZIADEH