US embassy cable - 05MANAMA553

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000553 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, ETRD, KDEM, PTER, ASEC, OVIP, BA 
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR CROWN PRINCE SALMAN'S APRIL 19-22 
VISIT TO WASHINGTON 
 
REF: MANAMA 544 (NOTAL) 
 
Classified by Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) The primary reason for the Crown Prince's April 19-22 
visit to Washington is to advocate for expeditious 
Congressional ratification of the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade 
Agreement (FTA).  With the launch of U.S. FTA negotiations 
with the United Arab Emirates and Oman, Bahrain knows it has 
a limited window of opportunity as the only Gulf country with 
an FTA, and it wants to maximize this period by a rapid 
ratification.  The Crown Prince understands the realities of 
the order of business in Congress, but may ask that the 
Administration consider exploring possible options for 
pushing the Bahrain FTA to the front of the queue to promote 
more expeditious ratification.  We should confirm with him 
that Bahrain has not been intimidated by public Saudi (and 
now EU) opposition to the agreement in late 2004 and early 
2005.  He will likely applaud continued U.S. engagement with 
Saudi Arabia on WTO accession to ensure that the Saudis do 
not once again direct their ire at Bahrain. 
 
2.  (C) The GOB is wrestling with an increasingly assertive 
Shia opposition and fearful Sunni community on the 
defensive.  Per reftel, the CP told the Ambassador he wants 
to create an environment that is supportive to all sectors of 
society and avoid sectarianism.  He will seek reaffirmation 
that the United States supports Bahrain's political reform 
process, as the President and Secretary have mentioned in 
several high-profile speeches, including the State of the 
Union address.  While assuring him that Bahrain is on the 
right long-term path, we should urge that Bahrain, as it 
deals with sectarian pressures, pursue policies consistent 
with its commitment to democratization and freedom of 
expression. We are well-positioned to support Bahrain in this 
process through our MEPI programming.  Bahrain is 
demonstrating leadership in reform by taking an active role 
in projects of the G-8/Broader Middle East and North Africa 
(BMENA) initiative.  It will host the November 2005 Forum for 
the Future conference which, in the GOB's view, should focus 
on achievements in realizing the vision defined at the 2004 
conference in Morocco.  Bahrain will formally showcase its 
role in establishing the Bahrain Center for Entrepreneurial 
Excellence and the Network of Funds. 
 
3.  (S) Cooperation on counterterrorism has improved since 
last summer's concern about the release of six terror 
suspects, but it will be important to underscore to the Crown 
Prince the importance we attach to continuing to build on 
this cooperation.  On the positive side, the Bahrain National 
Security Agency (BNSA) has shown a new willingness to enter 
into joint activities to help monitor and track suspected 
terrorists.  The Crown Prince played a role in moving 
recently returned former Bahrain Ambassador to the U.S. 
Shaykh Khalifa into the Deputy position at BNSA, and 
attributes the improved cooperation with BNSA to this 
appointment.  Also on the positive side, influential Minister 
of Interior Shaykh Rashid has sought a larger role on CT 
issues, most notably through his advocacy of a Joint Counter 
Terrorism Center, which is being established with U.S. 
assistance.  At the same time, the recent terrorist attack in 
Doha highlighted the continuing threat in all of the GCC 
countries, including Bahrain.  And we remain concerned that 
last summer's terror suspects, currently released (under 
surveillance) as their court cases proceed, may in the end 
not be successfully prosecuted.  We need to reemphasize to 
the CP our hope that they will be prosecuted, but that 
regardless of the outcome of their cases, these and other 
terror suspects must remain under tight surveillance. 
 
4.  (C) The Crown Prince has been the greatest champion 
within the Bahraini leadership for support for DOD-operated 
Bahrain School, which continues to operate successfully 
despite the withdrawal of Navy dependents last summer.  The 
Crown Prince is an alumnus and his children currently attend 
the school (as do the children of many other prominent 
Bahrainis).  He describes the school as an important 
ambassador for the U.S. to Bahrain's people and society.  He 
was instrumental in quickly executing the GOB's $2 million 
payment as its contribution to close the gap on the school's 
operating expenses for the 2004-05 academic year.  He will 
thank the Administration for its support for the school, 
pledge to coordinate closely with us to ensure the school's 
long-term viability and high standards, and hope for 
continued DOD commitment beyond the next school year. 
 
5. (C) The Crown Prince represented Bahrain at last month's 
Arab Summit in Algiers.  He will be interested in 
Administration views and insights on latest 
developments/prospects on Israel-Palestine, Lebanon/Syria, 
Iraq and Iran.  Iran remains a critical concern in Bahrain, 
all the more as there have been allegations of Iranian ties 
to Shia activists, most notably during Ashura processions in 
February. 
---------- 
Objectives 
---------- 
 
6.  (C) What we want from the visit: 
 
-- Renewed commitment from the Crown Prince on Bahraini 
ratification and implementation of the FTA. 
 
-- Understanding on the CP's part of the importance we attach 
to Bahrain's continuing commitment to democratization and 
freedom of expression as it deals with the sectarian 
pressures it faces. 
 
-- Commitment from the Crown Prince to continued and enhanced 
counter-terrorism cooperation, as well as continued tight 
surveillance of domestic extremists and vigorous prosecution 
of the four terrorism suspects to send the right message on 
combating terrorism. 
 
----------------------------- 
Issues of Interest to Bahrain 
----------------------------- 
 
7.  (C) The Crown Prince will want to hear from his 
interlocutors on: 
 
-- The Administration's commitment to move expeditiously to 
seek Congressional ratification of the FTA. 
 
-- Continued support for Bahrain's reform program, including 
its hosting of the November 2005 Forum for the Future. 
 
-- Support and assistance for Bahrain's counter-terrorism 
efforts. 
 
-- Commitment to maintaining the Bahrain School as a DOD 
institution. 
 
-- Latest USG insights on Israel/Palestine, Syria/Lebanon, 
Iraq, and Iran. 
 
------------------- 
Key Issues to Raise 
------------------- 
 
7.  (S) We suggest Washington officials raise the following 
key points: 
 
-- Thank Bahrain for its close friendship and support in the 
region, including its support for the U.S. Navy (NAVCENT 
headquarters), its decision to send a brigade to Afghanistan, 
and its positive public support of Iraq and the new 
government there. 
 
-- Recognize the importance that Bahrain attaches to rapid 
ratification of the FTA, indicate we share this desire, and 
pledge to continue to work with Congress for expeditious 
ratification. 
 
-- Reaffirm our support and praise for Bahrain's 
democratization efforts and leadership in the BMENA 
initiative (including the Forum for the Future), while 
underscoring the importance we attach to Bahrain's continuing 
commitment to democratization and freedom of expression as it 
deals with the sectarian pressures it faces. 
 
-- Stress our continuing concern on counterterrorism, in 
Bahrain and the region, and our commitment to work closely 
with the GOB -- both with the BNSA and with the Ministry of 
Interior on the JCTC.  Noting that everything we want to do 
in Bahrain, from military cooperation to FTA, depends on 
close cooperation in this area, stress that strong action 
against terrorists like the four suspects sends the right 
signal to Al Qaida and the world that Bahrain will not 
tolerate any connection to terrorism on its soil.  Urge 
continued tight surveillance of terror suspects. 
 
-- Pledge to work with the GOB on the future of the Bahrain 
School. 
MONROE