US embassy cable - 04MANAMA1337

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MANAMA 001337 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, H 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PTER, MARR, ECON, ETRD, BA, IZ 
SUBJECT: CODEL MILLER DISCUSSES COUNTER-TERRORISM, IRAQ, 
ECONOMY WITH CROWN PRINCE 
 
Classified by DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
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Summary 
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1.  (C) Codel Miller met with Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin 
Hamad Al Khalifa August 22 and discussed the domestic 
security situation, status of counter-terrorism laws in 
Bahrain, Iraq, the military confrontation in Najaf, U.S. 
public outreach efforts in the Middle East, Arab-Israeli 
relations, Afghanistan, the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement 
(FTA), the domestic economy, and the U.S. Navy presence in 
Bahrain.  The Crown Prince repeatedly stressed the strength 
of the long-standing U.S.-Bahrain bilateral relationship, 
noting that both countries had benefited from it.  He spoke 
of enhancing intelligence cooperation, trade and investment 
relations via the FTA, and the importance of personnel 
contacts in furthering the mil-mil relationship.  Regarding 
Iraq, he counseled American steadfastness in facing down its 
enemies there and offered specific suggestions to improve the 
situation on the ground.  End Summary. 
 
2.  (C) Representative Jeff Miller (R-FL) led a bipartisan 
congressional delegation to Bahrain August 22-23 composed of 
Representatives John Boozman (R-AR), Madeleine Bordallo 
(D-Guam), Tom Cole (R-OK), Jim Marshall (D-GA), and Adam 
Schiff (D-CA), House Armed Services staff members Michael 
Higgins and Mark Lewis, and military escorts LTC Richard 
Simcock and GySgt Lorenzo Chance.  The CODEL met with Crown 
Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain Defense 
Force Chief of Staff Major General Shaikh Mohammed bin 
Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Embassy country team, NAVCENT 
officials, and overnighted on the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy in 
the Persian Gulf.  The Charge and Pol/Econ chief (notetaker) 
attended the meeting with the Crown Prince. 
 
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Enhanced Intelligence Cooperation with U.S. 
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3.  (C) Representative Miller opened the meeting by thanking 
Bahrain for its support for and long-standing relationship 
with the United States.  He briefed the Crown Prince on the 
CODEL's travels and invited his colleagues to raise any 
issues of concern.  The CP welcomed the group and expressed 
his condolences for the recent loss of life in Florida due to 
Hurricane Charley.  Representative Schiff asked about the 
threat of terrorism in Bahrain.  The CP noted that there are 
individuals with the capacity to carry out attacks anywhere 
in the world and all countries are vulnerable.  In an oblique 
reference to the six Bahrainis arrested in mid-July, he said 
that when the United States and Bahrain share information, 
they can build robust cases against those individuals 
threatening the public order.  He stressed that Bahrain wants 
to enhance its intelligence cooperation with the U.S. 
 
4.  (C) Turning to threats from the outside, the CP said that 
maintaining stability and unity in Iraq would have a positive 
influence throughout the region and the world.  The best way 
to reach Muslims' "hearts and minds" is to achieve liberty 
and freedom in Iraq and help broker an equitable solution 
between Arabs and Israelis. 
 
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New CT Law to Address Terrorist Threat 
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5.  (C) Representative Bordallo asked about Bahrain's 
counter-terrorism laws.  The CP said that the problem is the 
weakness of Bahrain's existing conspiracy law.  It was 
written to address the planning of crimes and stipulates a 
maximum penalty of three years in prison.  This is inadequate 
for use against terrorists, who seek to cause mass 
casualties, and the country is developing a new conspiracy 
law to address this kind of threat.  Regarding the case of 
the six Bahrainis, he said that they are behind bars and are 
"not going anywhere." 
 
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Stable Iraq Free of WMD 
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6.  (C) Following up on the topic of Iraq, Representative 
Cole requested the CP's advice on how the U.S. should proceed 
there.  The CP replied that America's actions must be 
determined by its objectives.  If the U.S. really wants a 
free democracy in Iraq, it must consider the possibility that 
Iraq could become an Islamic republic.  The CP commented that 
he believes the U.S. objective is a stable Iraq free of 
weapons of mass destruction.  In this case, the Iraqi 
government should halt the de-Baathification process, which 
is viewed by many as a process to settle personal vendettas. 
Rather, the Iraqi government should identify the real 
criminals and prosecute them, but issue a general amnesty for 
everyone else, as was done in South Africa, Ireland, and even 
in Bahrain in the 2002 constitution. 
7.  (C) Second, the U.S. should support the development of 
the Iraqi civilian defense force so that Al Sadr and other 
"jihadists" do not fill the vacuum created by the dissolution 
of the Iraqi Army.  Finally, the CP stated that the United 
States must steadfastly support its troops on the ground so 
they can get the job done. 
 
8.  (C) Representative Marshall noted that damaging or 
destroying the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf could become an 
anti-American rallying point for our enemies.  The Crown 
Prince said that U.S. and Iraqi forces should avoid 
destroying the shrine at all cost.  However, Muslims would 
eventually get over some inadvertent damage to it as a result 
of a military operation.  He noted that in 1979, when 
radicals occupied the mosque in Mecca, the Saudi army ran a 
tank through the main door and settled the problem. 
 
9.  (C) Marshall said that the U.S. position would be 
improved by voices in the region speaking publicly in support 
of the United States.  The CP replied that Iraqis should 
speak up before others in the region do so.  He noted that 
the issue of influencing Arab public opinion was being 
discussed in Washington and recommended the U.S. focus its 
activities on populous "anchor states" in the region such as 
Egypt and Morocco. 
 
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Israel's Controversial Settlement Policy 
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10.  (C) Returning to his theme of enhancing security 
throughout the region, the Crown Prince said that the Arab 
street considered Israeli settlement building to be the most 
controversial issue in Israeli-Palestinian relations.  He 
conjectured that Prime Minister Sharon wants to withdraw from 
Gaza to focus on strengthening the settlement infrastructure 
in the West Bank.  Rather than pursuing such a contentious 
policy, Israel could be working with friendly Arabs (like 
Bahrain) to counter true threats, such as Iranian missiles 
capable of striking Israel and other countries in the region. 
 He asserted that he has no sympathy for Arafat, who is a 
problem, and that both the Israeli and Palestinian 
leaderships had demonstrated no real will to address the 
fundamental differences between them. 
 
11.  (C) Referencing the Codel's travels, the CP said that in 
Afghanistan, it appeared that the security situation was more 
stable in larger areas of the country.  Stating that a 
growing economy would lead to a more stable security 
situation, he suggested that the United States and other 
developed countries grant trade preferences for Afghanistan's 
agricultural exports and signal their support for the passage 
of oil pipelines through Afghan territory. 
 
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Diversify Economy Through FTA 
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12.  (C) Representative Boozman questioned the CP about 
Bahrain's expectations related to the U.S. Free Trade 
Agreement.  He replied that stability and security are driven 
by economic opportunity and growth, and the FTA will permit 
Bahrain to seize the day and develop a stronger economy.  In 
response to Representative Marshall's follow up question on 
the long-term future of Bahrain's economy, the Crown Prince 
said that currently Bahrain's engines of economic growth are 
petroleum, finance, manufacturing based upon low-cost natural 
gas, tourism, information technology and other business 
services, and government.  He looks forward to the day when 
the roles of the government and petroleum sector in the 
economy are reduced.  He recalled the advice of a Singaporean 
visitor, who said that small nations must produce high 
quality products, be adaptable, attract new businesses, and 
"their vision cannot be constrained by their size."  He 
commented that he wants the standard of living of all 
citizens to improve as a result of enhanced U.S. trade and 
investment relations via the FTA, and not just the 2,000 
wealthy, plugged-in business people. 
 
13.  (C) To close the meeting, Representative Miller asked 
about the status of the DOD-run Bahrain School.  The Crown 
Prince responded that the school is an excellent ambassador 
for the United States in Bahrain, and it will produce the 
next generation of political and business leaders in the 
country.  In addition, it forges personal links between 
Bahrainis and Americans.  In this regard, the CP mentioned 
that stable relationships are particularly important in 
military affairs.  In an unstated reference to the U.S. 
global defense posture review, he said that Bahrain and the 
U.S. Navy had enjoyed great results from their 50-year 
relationship.  Navy personnel had lived and worked side by 
side with Bahrainis, and when they needed each other, they 
stood together.  The U.S. has always understood the 
importance of building relationships and should continue to 
do so into the future. 
 
MONROE