US embassy cable - 04MANAMA1684

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001684 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM THE AMBASSADOR 
STATE FOR: U/S GREEN,NEA/FO, NEA/ARPI, NA/EX, NEA/PI, A/FO, 
A/OPR/OS 
DEPARTMENT OF NAVY FOR CNO ADMIRAL VERNON CLARK 
DOD FOR U/S FEITH, DUSD/NESA, DOD/ISA, DOD/OSD/PNR, DODEA 
CENTCOM FOR GEN. ABIZAID AND POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/07/2014 
TAGS: PREL, ASCH, AMGT, BA 
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN SCHOOL: PRESERVE THE DOD CONNECTION 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe.  Reason: 1.5 (D) 
 
1. (C) We now face, as we did last summer, an urgent decision 
regarding the DODEA-sponsored Bahrain School: should we 
continue to support it as a DODEA school, or should we begin 
the process of conversion to a more traditional international 
school.  While the school does indeed fit the profile of an 
international school, especially in the absence of Navy 
dependents, strong policy reasons argue for a continuation of 
DODEA sponsorship, which has created a unique institution in 
the Arab and Muslim world.  I strongly urge that on policy 
grounds a decision be made now to continue the school beyond 
this year as a DODEA institution. 
 
2. (C) The Bahrain School has been an important part of the 
landscape of our bilateral relationship for over 35 years. 
Its importance goes far beyond that of an educational 
institution.  It serves as a symbol of the positive role that 
the U.S. Navy plays in Bahrain.  It has educated key members 
of Bahrain's political, economic, and security leadership, 
who are now sending their children there.  It has played a 
central role in instilling American values and attitudes in 
Bahrainis who are key supporters of our bilateral 
relationship.  The 9/11 Commission calls for the 
establishment of a fund to build and operate schools in the 
Muslim world.  We already have a model school in Bahrain, run 
by the U.S. Department of Defense, widely appreciated by 
Bahrainis, and teaching the values of the American education 
system.  To pull the plug now simply does not make sense from 
a policy perspective. 
 
3. (C) Transition to a traditional international school is an 
option from a purely educational point of view.  The Bahrain 
International School Association (BISA) is, in fact, 
exploring that option if DODEA withdraws its support.  The 
BISA Board and the Government of Bahrain have been 
unequivocal, however, that their strong preference is for the 
Bahrain School to remain a DODEA institution. 
 
4. (C) If we decide to withdraw DODEA sponsorship of the 
school, we must be clear about what we will lose: 
 
-- cutting the DOD ties may in time lead to an erosion of 
support for our Navy presence in Bahrain. 
 
-- we will lose a powerful symbol of the positive benefit of 
official U.S.-Bahrain engagement, and of the U.S. military 
presence here. 
 
-- we will no longer be able to guarantee the current quality 
of education provided by the Bahrain School if/when the U.S. 
Navy decides to bring any dependents back to Bahrain. 
 
-- future generations of Bahraini students will not develop 
the bonds towards the U.S. and its Navy that the school has 
so successfully nurtured. 
 
-- an international school, without the DODEA affiliation, 
simply will not have the same positive impact on bilateral 
relations that the existing school has. 
 
5. (C) Coming on the heels of the decision last summer by the 
Navy to remove its dependents from Bahrain, a decision to 
withdraw DODEA support for the school will raise doubts, both 
in the government but also among the Bahraini public in 
general, about the strength of the U.S. commitment to 
Bahrain.  They will wonder if this is the start of 
disengagement from Bahrain. 
 
6. (C) The presence of DOD's Bahrain School has served U.S. 
policy well over the years.  Withdrawing USG support of this 
landmark institution at a time when the U.S. is engaged in a 
battle for the hearts and minds of the people in the region 
would risk throwing away much of the goodwill and positive 
influence that the school has helped accrue over the years, 
and foreclose potential opportunities for the future.  I 
truly hope we can make the policy decision to maintain the 
school as a DODEA institution. 
MONROE