US embassy cable - 05MANAMA223

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000223 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/IP/ITA, NEA/ARPI, S/CT 
NSC FOR NIC RAMCHAND 
FBI FOR WILLIE HULON 
RIYADH FOR LEGATS FRED BRINK AND MARTIN REARDON 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2015 
TAGS: ASEC, BA, PGOV, PTER 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH INTERIOR MINISTER SHAIKH 
RASHID AND VIEWS ON REGIONAL TERRORISM 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR WILLIAM T. MONROE FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d) 
 
- - - - 
SUMMARY 
- - - - 
 
1. (S)  Ambassador Monroe's meeting with Interior Minister 
Shaikh Rashid Bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa highlighted the GOB's 
determination to establish a CT Operations Center (CTOC) in 
Bahrain and use it as a model for other GCC countries. 
Shaikh Rashid asked for the intended FBI team to visit 
Bahrain March 19-23 and to provide direction on establishing 
the CTOC.  The Minister stressed that Kuwait's recent 
terrorism events underscored the need for regional 
cooperation and information sharing throughout the GCC and 
with allies.  The Ambassador discussed closer ties between 
the US and Bahrain intelligence/security organizations to 
monitor the Bahrain 6 and other extremists.  Major General 
Al-Zayani stated he met with Fran Townsend on margins of the 
Regional CT Conference in Riyadh February 5-8, 2005 to 
discuss steps Bahrain is taking to increase their CT 
capabilities.  Bahrain offered to house a GCC CT 
intelligence/operation center in Manama.  END SUMMARY 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - 
CT OPERATIONS CENTER 
- - - - - - - - - - - 
 
2. (S) Shaikh Rashid is determined to establish a CT 
Operations Center in Bahrain using the FBI's Joint Terrorism 
Task Force model.  The Minister asked for the FBI team to 
visit Manama March 19 - 23 to make presentations to senior 
government officials.  Bahrain envisioned that the CTOC could 
be a standard for other GCC countries to implement and then 
coordinate CT investigations and intelligence.  (NOTE: The 
Minister also sent a letter to the Ambassador describing his 
disappointment with the FBI team canceling their previous 
arrival dates and requested that the CTOC program be 
rescheduled at the first opportunity.  LEGAT Riyadh and FBI 
HQ are now coordinating the FBI team's visit for March 19-23, 
2005.) 
 
- - - - 
KUWAIT 
- - - - 
 
3. (S/NF) Ambassador inquired about the Minister's quick trip 
to Kuwait following recent checks with extremists there. 
Shaikh Rashid said that he traveled to Kuwait to show 
commitment to friends, explore any possible links back to 
Bahrain, and offer help with terrorism issues.  He stated 
that Kuwait acted better than people expected and is dealing 
forcefully with terrorism issues.  The public and press in 
Kuwaiti have shown strong support for the Government's 
aggressive tactics to confront extremism.  The Kuwaiti 
Security Service identified information from a safehouse raid 
that a Bahraini citizen had been in telephone contact with 
the terrorists.  The phone number is being monitored by NSA 
and has been shared with RMAS. The Kuwaitis have learned, 
through trial and error, more about the terrorists, and have 
employed better tactics and operational planning.  Their 
first assault was not planned well and proved costly. 
 
- - - - - - - 
THE BAHRAIN 6 
- - - - - - - 
 
4. (S/NF) The Ambassador noted cooperation between the US and 
Bahrain is critical in dealing with the six Bahrain extremits 
first apprehended last summer.  He noted that there is a 
known threat from the Bahrain 6, but that we must also worry 
about threats we don't know.  We know the Bahrain 6 have been 
active since their release, but do not have clarity on what 
they are up to.  Continued NSA monitoring and information 
sharing with RMAS is critical to ensure the 6 do not become a 
greater threat.  He noted that the press often reports 
statements by the lawyers of the accused, but not any 
statements by the government, which can leave an imbalanced 
impression.  The Minister commented that no blood yet has 
been spilled in Bahrain; as a result the public and media 
have not reacted against the Bahrain 6.  Shaikh Rashid 
promised close cooperation with RMAS and RSO regarding 
activities of the Bahrain 6.  Bi-weekly meetings were 
proposed by Shaikh Rashid and Major General Al-Zayani to 
include the Ministry of Interior, the Bahrain National 
Security Agency, RMAS and RSO to coordinate security, 
operations and provide an intelligence estimate. 
 
- - - - - - - - - 
RIYADH CT MEETING 
- - - - - - - - - 
 
5. (S)  Major General Abdul Latif Al-Zayani attended the the 
CT Conference February 5 - 8, 2005 in Riyadh as head of the 
Bahraini delegation.  He stated that his meeting with Fran 
Townsend, the President's advisor for Homeland Security, was 
very productive.  Establishment of the CTOC in Bahrain will 
be a significant event for the country and region.  The 
General added that Bahrain offered to house a GCC regional 
CTOC in Bahrain.  A copy of the proposal will be given to the 
Ambassador and RSO for review.  Bahrain supported that Saudi 
proposal for a regional CT center, but followed it should 
begin at the sub regional level, such as the GCC. 
 
 
MONROE