US embassy cable - 04MANAMA1553

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001553 
 
SIPDIS 
 
OSD FOR ES/USDP/ASD-PA/CHAIRS 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2014 
TAGS: PREL, MARR, MOPS, PGOV, BA, SA, IZ 
SUBJECT: SECRETARY OF DEFENSE OCTOBER 9, 2004 MEETING WITH 
BAHRAIN KING HAMAD BIN ISSA AL KHALIFA 
 
 
Classified by Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  SecDef met with Bahrain King Hamad Bin Issa 
Al Khalifa on October 09, 2004, in Bahrain.  The King made 
the following points:  (1) The ultimate responsibility for 
the security of Iraq rests with the Iraqis, not the U.S.  (2) 
Reaffirmed Bahrain's commitment to support the U.S. both in 
country and the region and offered to do more in Iraq.  (3) 
Saudi Arabia is dealing with the threat but needs our 
continued support.  SecDef made the following points: (1) The 
U.S. and Coalition responsibility is to create an environment 
so the Iraqis can take responsibility for the security of 
their county. (2) Acknowledged Bahrain's support.  (3) 
Discussed the need for moderate leaders to step up and speak 
the truth.  (4) The Saudis were slow to counter terrorism but 
are doing better now.  End Summary. 
 
2. (C) Responsibility for Security:  The King said that the 
U.S. had opened the eyes of everyone about what is right. 
"It is not your job to make the Iraqis succeed; that is up to 
the Iraqi people."  He said that the U.S. had accomplished 
its mission.  Iraq is in the hands of the Iraqis.  The U.S. 
did its best by creating the right atmosphere by opening the 
airports, rebuilding the schools, and getting rid of Saddam. 
The U.S. soldiers should not be patrolling the streets of 
Baghdad; the Iraqis should.  SecDef said the U.S. only has 
the responsibility to create an environment so the Iraqis can 
take care of themselves. 
 
3.  (C) Bahrain's Commitment to the U.S.:  The King said 
Bahrain is committed to the U.S.  He said Bahrain needs 
stability to maintain its political and economic development. 
 He said Bahrain has made good progress on reform relative to 
the region but not compared to the rest of the world.  The 
King said that Bahrain has an open society -- where people 
can speak freely provided they follow the law -- and they can 
demonstrate peacefully.  However, the people have never 
demonstrated against the U.S. Navy in the last five years. 
SecDef said that he was appreciative of the support that 
Bahrain has given the U.S. fleet and the Iraqis. 
 
4. (C) Saudi Arabia:  The King said that he was worried about 
the security in the region, and particularly about Saudi 
Arabia.  He said there would be a problem if the radicals 
took over the Kingdom.  "We do our best to support the Saudi 
Government and their efforts."  SecDef said the Saudis had 
been slow to get engaged.  When the attacks happened they 
were not ready and they are still not particularly well 
trained or equipped, although they are improving. 
 
5. (C) Moderate Muslim Leaders:  SecDef said that there need 
to be more moderate leaders, such as the Bahrainis, who stand 
up against radical leaders.  We need them to tell the truth. 
Karzai, Allawi and Musharraf are leaders in this respect. 
The King said he told clerics that if you speak up against 
the U.S., we can bring you down.  Although in Bahrain, he 
said, the clerics are not that tough. 
 
6.  (U) SecDef has approved this cable. 
 
MONROE