US embassy cable - 05MANAMA394

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000394 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/I 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, BA, IR, IZ 
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN:  DISSUADING IRAN FROM INTERFERING IN 
IRAQI POLITICS 
 
REF: STATE 41957 
 
Classified by DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) The Ambassador March 15 delivered reftel demarche 
concerning Iranian interference in Iraqi affairs to Minister 
of State for Foreign Affairs/Information Minister Mohammed 
Abdul Ghaffar.  Abdul Ghaffar took note of the demarche but 
had to depart the meeting before he had a chance to respond. 
 
2.  (C) The DCM March 16 delivered demarche to MFA Assistant 
Under Secretary for Coordination and Follow Up Shaikh Abdul 
Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa.  Shaikh Abdul Aziz noted that 
Iraqi negotiations to form a government were still ongoing 
even as the Iraqi parliament was making its official opening. 
 He wondered if the USG could share any additional 
information on how the Iranians were meddling in the 
selection of Iraqi government officials.  He noted that 
Foreign Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa had 
previously cautioned the Iranians from interfering in 
domestic affairs in Iraq.  The ForMin had also spoken 
publicly in support of Iraq's elections and would continue to 
speak out in support of a new government. 
 
MONROE