US embassy cable - 04MANAMA1283

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001283 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, S/CT, INL 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PTER, MARR, MOPS, MCAP, PINS, BA 
SUBJECT: CROWN PRINCE PROMOTING INTERNAL INTELLIGENCE AND 
COUNTER-TERRORISM COOPERATION 
 
 
Classified by Charge D'Affaires Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 
1.5 (b) and (d). 
 
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Summary 
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1.  (C) The Charge held her initial meeting with Crown Prince 
(CP) Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa to discuss joint 
counter-terrorism efforts, the security situation and the 
status of the DOD Bahrain School.  They also covered the 
Saudi proposal for Muslim troops to Iraq and the U.S. global 
defense posture (septels.)  The Charge noted recent positive 
developments in the security situation, but urged continued 
attention to the issue.  The CP emphasized that he is seized 
with enhancing security in the country through improving the 
capabilities of and cooperation among the Bahraini security 
services.  They need to shift their focus to solid 
investigative work and obtaining evidence usable in court. 
The CP suggested there be greater efforts on the strategic 
level of the war on terrorism by addressing the core 
conditions that lead some young people in the region to turn 
to extremism.  Regarding the Bahrain School, the CP pledged 
to provide whatever assistance was needed, whether financial 
or in-kind. He takes our security concerns in Bahrain 
seriously, and he is pushing for systemic improvement.  End 
Summary. 
 
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Enhancing Capabilities and Cooperation 
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2.  (C) The Charge opened the meeting by noting the recent 
progress on security issues of bilateral concern and 
stressing the need for continued vigilance.  The CP commented 
that he was now feeling more confident about internal 
security and promised there would be additional developments 
over the next several weeks to reinforce progress already 
made.  He was focused on enhancing the capabilities of and 
cooperation between Bahrain's security forces so that they 
can maintain the safety and security of the country while not 
exceeding the limits of the law.  The Charge stated that the 
GOB has to ensure that individuals, local and foreign, are 
not in a position to threaten the security of the country. 
The CP, in an implicit criticism of the Bahraini security 
apparatus, said that inadequate information sharing and 
reliance upon certain sources of information could lead to 
faulty decisions, and that he was working on correcting this. 
 Bahrain needs a "robust" intelligence system that is capable 
of conducting thorough investigations and developing solid 
evidence to be used in court.  In the past, the security 
services relied upon old national security laws to gain 
convictions and now they must learn new techniques to obtain 
more usable evidence.  The CP indicated he has been working 
directly with the new Minister of Interior who is focused on 
enhancing U.S.-Bahraini cooperation and building the 
capabilities of the ministry. 
 
3.  (C) The Crown Prince said that the war on terrorism was 
being fought tactically in Najaf, Bahrain, and Pakistan, but 
that there needed to be greater focus on the strategic level; 
that is, addressing the reasons that some young Muslims are 
attracted to extremism.  The major determining factors on 
this level are success in Iraq and U.S. involvement in the 
Arab-Israeli conflict.  He stated that the Palestinians must 
renounce terrorism as a political tool and Israel must 
dismantle settlements.  He commented that the Arab-Israeli 
conflict is the single issue that has most changed Muslims' 
perceptions of the United States over the years.  With regard 
to the conflict, the CP noted that the Arab street believes 
the United States speaks with clarity, but not with moral 
authority. 
 
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Offer to Assist Security at School 
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4.  (C) The CP asked about the status of the DOD Bahrain 
School.  The Charge noted that an announcement would likely 
be made the next day.  The Crown Prince said that he has a 
personal interest in it because his children attend the 
school and he is an alumni.  He also indicated that the 
school is central to our bilateral relationship and serves as 
a source for democracy and political opening in Bahrain.  The 
Charge made reference to her previous meeting with Foreign 
Minister Mohamed bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, during which the 
Minister offered financial assistance to the school, if 
needed, to ensure the Bahrain School reopened.  In 
particular, the Charge mentioned the need to provide security 
for school teachers at their residences, among other possible 
requirements.  The CP replied that the GOB would provide 
"whatever you need."  The Charge thanked him and promised to 
get back to him with a specific request. 
 
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Comment 
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5.  (C) The Crown Prince went to great lengths to reassure us 
that he and the GOB fully understand our security concerns in 
Bahrain and that he shares them.  He expressed reservations 
about the previous methods of the Bahraini security services 
and emphasized his intention to improve their practices and 
coordination.  He appears to have received our message about 
getting on top of the security situation in Bahrain.  We will 
continue to watch closely the efforts of the GOB to improve 
their CT capacities and, more importantly, monitor the impact 
of those efforts.  End Comment. 
 
ZIADEH