US embassy cable - 05MANAMA573

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000573 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PI, DRL 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, BA 
SUBJECT: NDI PROMOTES DEMOCRATIZATION THROUGH ACTIVITIES IN 
BAHRAIN 
 
 
Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
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Summary 
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1.  (C) The MEPI-funded National Democratic Institute (NDI) 
is making great strides in bringing MPs, oppositionists, and 
civil society activists together to find common ground on 
cutting-edge political issues, thereby strengthening the 
democratic process and institutions in Bahrain.  NDI 
organized a "summit" of political societies April 12 intended 
to address the most prominent democracy-related issues facing 
the country.  It teamed with the Bahrain Transparency Society 
April 14 to review and seek endorsement of regulations 
governing the electoral system.  It will host a conference on 
April 21 to address interpretations of the article of the 
constitution addressing procedures for the advancement of 
legislation.  NDI is praised by almost all sectors of 
Bahraini society, from the King to the most prominent 
oppositionists.  The sensitive issues NDI is working on will 
only increase in prominence as the country approaches 
municipal and parliamentary elections in the fall of 2006. 
End Summary. 
 
 
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"Summit" brings political society leaders together 
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2.  (SBU) MEPI-funded NDI, in the presence of visiting NDI 
Senior Associate and Regional Director for the Middle East 
and North Africa Les Campbell, organized an April 12 
political "summit" to which all 16 political societies in 
Bahrain were invited.  Eleven societies participated, mostly 
those from the opposition.  The results of the summit were 
modest:  participants agreed to form a committee to prepare 
an agenda for a follow-on conference focusing on the 
"national dialogue," a phrase used to refer to the dispute 
over the legitimacy of the 2002 constitution.  No joint 
statement was issued by participants, but the overall tone of 
the summit was positive.  It was the largest gathering of 
political societies since the 2002 parliamentary elections. 
 
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Common ground on election-related issues 
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3.  (SBU) The Bahrain Transparency Society and NDI co-hosted 
an event April 14 that brought together members of both the 
lower Council of Representatives (COR) and upper Shura 
Council, and representatives of the major political societies 
to discuss Bahrain's electoral system.  Participants reviewed 
and endorsed most of the recommendations produced by the 
national monitoring committee that oversaw the 2002 
parliamentary elections.  The recommendations included 
forming a high commission to monitor the 2006 elections; 
allowing candidates to choose their constituencies without 
having to reside in the area; repealing the rule that 
required voters in 2002 to have their passports stamped at 
the voting station; redrawing constituency boundaries to 
ensure more proportionate representation; and banning 
religious centers and charitable funds from taking a direct 
role in campaigns.  The recommendations will be forwarded to 
the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives. 
 
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A new approach to the constitution 
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4.  (C) On April 21, NDI will host a conference focusing on 
Article 92 of the constitution, which addresses procedures 
for the advancement of legislation.  Many observers believe 
that the government retains the largest share of control over 
the legislative process.  For example, the COR has the right 
to introduce revisions and amendments to draft legislation 
produced by the government, but the government can wait up to 
two legislative sessions (two years) to respond to the COR's 
revisions.  In the event that the COR votes against a draft 
law and the Shura Council votes in favor, the government can 
convene a joint session and subject the legislation to a 
straight majority vote involving the 40 COR and 40 Shura 
members.  In such a case, the law will almost certainly pass 
as all Shura Council members are appointed by the government. 
 NDI's conference will bring together members of the COR and 
Shura Council, legal experts, and representatives of most 
political societies (including the boycotting societies) to 
discuss this issue and how to move forward.  NDI country 
director Fawzi Guleid told PolOff that the forum will 
encourage all sides to "think creatively about how to deal 
with the constitutional debate." 
 
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Royal Court supports NDI 
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5.  (C) In late March, MP Mohammed Khalid from the Al Menbar 
(Muslim Brotherhood) bloc complained that NDI was interfering 
in Bahrain's domestic affairs and requested that Minister of 
State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar investigate 
NDI's legal status in the kingdom.  Guleid met with Abdul 
Ghaffar and representatives of the King's royal court and 
received assurances that the GOB fully supports the NDI 
presence in Bahrain.  Al Menbar President Dr. Salah Ali, 
noting that Al Menbar members participate in NDI events, told 
EmbOff that he and others in the society disagreed with 
Khalid's stance on NDI.  MFA Assistant Under Secretary for 
Coordination and Follow-Up Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al 
Khalifa told PolEcon chief April 13 that the MFA had decided 
to serve as the Bahraini institution sponsoring NDI to head 
off any further challenges to NDI's legal status in country. 
Independent newspaper Al Wasat reported April 14, citing 
"credible sources," that the King intended to give an award 
to NDI in appreciation for its contributions in support of 
reforms in the country. 
 
6.  (U) Widely read and respected Al Wasat columnist Abbas 
BuSafwan April 16 praised NDI's work in Bahrain.  He said 
that NDI has included all political factions in its 
activities, whether pro-government or oppositionist.  He 
admires the "different way of thinking" that NDI follows to 
discuss the priority national issues, including the debate 
over the constitution. 
 
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NDI plays effective role in Bahrain 
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7.  (C) NDI began working in Bahrain in March 2002 with the 
aim of strengthening Bahraini political and civil society 
institutions in order for them to play a positive and 
meaningful role in Bahrain's new democracy.  Since then, NDI 
has provided technical assistance to political societies and 
has advised parliamentarians on how to work effectively 
within the system.  It has also made great strides in 
bringing MPs and oppositionists together to work on various 
issues of concern to Bahrain's people.  Guleid, the only NDI 
staff member permanently in country, has gained the trust of 
political actors from the King's royal court to the most 
hardline oppositionists.  All active political societies, 
with the exception of Al Tajomo' Al Qowmi (Baathi), regularly 
participate in NDI events.  NDI has a very active schedule of 
events, including the three conferences this month. 
 
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Comment 
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8.  (C) NDI's activities strengthen Bahrain's new democratic 
process and institutions by helping prominent Bahraini 
actors, including from the government and opposition, address 
potentially explosive political issues in a low-key, 
technical manner.  These issues are at the core of ensuring 
the success of Bahrain's still young democratic reform 
process -- equal representation in parliament, political 
participation by all sectors of society, balancing the powers 
of the elected and appointed legislative bodies, among 
others.  NDI is guiding a process in which Bahrainis from all 
sides discuss ways to move forward and create positive 
change.  With municipal and parliamentary elections set for 
2006, the issues NDI is addressing will only increase in 
prominence. 
MONROE