US embassy cable - 05MANAMA222

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000222 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2015 
TAGS: KJUS, PGOV, PTER, PREL, ASEC, BA 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH NEW MINISTER OF JUSTICE 
 
REF: MANAMA 68 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
. 
 
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Summary 
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1.  (C) In an introductory meeting with the new Minister of 
Justice, Dr. Mohammed Ali Al Sitry February 8, the Ambassador 
discussed the counterterrorism challenges in the region and 
stressed the importance of aggressively prosecuting the four 
terrorist suspects currently on trial in Bahrain.  The 
Minister, noting the recent terrorist activity in Kuwait and 
Saudi Arabia, agreed that preventing terrorist acts in 
Bahrain is extremely important.  Turning to USG-sponsored 
judicial reform programs, the Minister pledged his commitment 
to continued positive change and modernization in the 
Ministry.  On the Iraqi elections, Al Sitry -- himself a 
Shi'a -- said that many Bahraini Shi'a look to Iraq more than 
Iran as an example because it is an Arab state.  End Summary. 
 
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USG-Funded Judicial Reform Programs in Bahrain 
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2.  (C) The Ambassador congratulated Al Sitry on his new 
position and briefed him on the status of USG-funded judicial 
reform programs in Bahrain.  (Note: Before the King's cabinet 
reshuffle on February 1, Al Sitry was the Minister of 
Municipalities and Agricultural Affairs (reftel).  End Note.) 
The American Bar Association (ABA) is currently helping to 
establish an alternative dispute resolution system and a 
continuing education program for judges and prosecutors.  The 
ABA is also interviewing candidates for a program implementer 
who will work directly in the Ministry's offices.  Al Sitry 
said that he is actively involved in the selection process. 
The Ambassador mentioned that the MEPI-funded Commercial Law 
Development Program (CLDP) will host a conference in Bahrain 
at the end of March focusing on financial and commercial law. 
 The Ambassador added that John Attanasio, the Dean of Law at 
the Southern Methodist University, was exploring the 
possibility of inviting Bahrainis to a second Rule of Law 
Forum as a follow-on to the September 2004 Forum.  The 
Minister expressed openness to that idea and emphasized the 
Ministry's appreciation for the USG's support of its reform 
efforts.  He said the Ministry would take advantage of every 
opportunity to implement positive change. 
 
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Combating terrorism 
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3.  (C) The Ambassador stressed that the four terrorist 
suspects whose trial is currently suspended pending a 
constitutional challenge are of great concern.  The USG was 
very surprised when one of the suspects and his brother -- 
who were imprisoned on separate charges -- were released in 
January after a judge modified their sentences to time 
served.  The Ambassador said he hoped the government would be 
aggressive in its prosecution of the suspects.  The Minister 
assured the Ambassador that the GOB is very concerned about 
the terrorist suspects and terrorism in general.  He 
mentioned the terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait 
and pointed out, "Who knows if they will come to Bahrain?" 
He noted that terrorism is not just an action, but also a 
mindset; the GOB must fight terrorism through educational, 
political, and economic reform.  He said that on February 7 
the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs discussed a draft 
anti-terrorism and conspiracy law and would send a report to 
the Cabinet soon.  Al Sitry thought the law would be before 
Parliament in a month or two. 
 
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Iran, Iraq, and Israel/Palestine 
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4.  (C) The Minister asked the Ambassador about the 
situations in Iraq, Iran, and Israel/Palestine.  The 
Ambassador said the Iraqi elections were a very positive 
step.  Al Sitry stated that Iraq's Sunnis should participate 
in the constitutional process.  He added that many Bahraini 
Shi'a look to Iraq more than Iran as an example because it is 
an Arab state.  He hoped that Iraq would set a positive 
precedent for democracy in the region, but he worried that a 
continuously unstable Iraq would set a negative example.  On 
Iran, the Minister said the average person in the region 
believes that the more the U.S. threatens Iran, the more 
hostile its response will be.  He noted that even though the 
GOB had problems with Iran, relations are stable and 
friendly.  The Minister supported the existence of Israel, 
but stressed that the U.S. must use its influence to pressure 
the Israelis at the negotiating table.  Otherwise, both sides 
would end up back at square one. 
MONROE