US embassy cable - 05MANAMA585

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000585 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/PII, DS/ITA, DS/ATA, NEA/ARPI, S/CT 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2015 
TAGS: ASEC, BA, PGOV, PTER 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES SECURITY THREATS WITH 
INTERIOR MINISTER 
 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR WILLIAM T. MONROE FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d) 
 
- - - - 
SUMMARY 
- - - - 
 
1. (S) Ambassador met with Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid 
Al-Khalifa April 19 to register our concern about recent 
threat information and possible surveillance activity, and to 
thank the Minister for steps taken by his Ministry to enhance 
Embassy security.  The Ambassador also reiterated our concern 
about four terror suspects currently under surveillance.  The 
Minister discussed the ban of last month's Shia demonstration 
in Sitra, noting that the government is not against 
demonstrations in principle (105 have been approved since 
last August) but had concerns about this one.  The Minister 
stated that progress is being made in setting up the Joint 
Counterterrorism Center. 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
RECENT THREAT INFORMATION IN BAHRAIN 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
2. (S) The Ambassador told the Minister that he had requested 
the meeting to personally advise him of a recent pattern of 
threat information that had raised concerns at the Embassy 
and in Washington.  The Ambassador began by thanking the 
Minister for the superb support the Embassy had received from 
the Ministry, including in response to our recent threat 
concerns.  In the context of threat information in the region 
-- ranging from last month's attack in Doha to new threat 
information in Jeddah -- new threat information in Manama has 
heightened our concern in Bahrain, the Ambassador stated.  He 
then reviewed this information, including website 
instructions on how to prepare an attack against the Embassy, 
recent intelligence suggesting terrorists are looking at an 
attack here, and five reports of possible surveillance 
incidents involving Embassy employees, including the American 
Ambassador.  The Ambassador then outlined the steps the 
Embassy has taken, such as enhanced surveillance detection 
activities and more widely varying times and routes.  A third 
key element, the Ambassador continued, was the visibly 
increased police presence provided by the Ministry of 
Interior.  Reiterating his appreciation for this increased 
presence, the Ambassador urged that it be continued as a 
deterrent to any surveillance or threat against the Embassy 
or its people. 
 
3. (S) Shaikh Rashid, after confirming with his aides on the 
type of increased presence provided by the Ministry, vowed to 
continue security support for the Embassy, respond promptly 
to our requests, and continue to analyze terrorist threat 
information in Bahrain and the region. 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
STILL CONCERNED ABOUT TERROR SUSPECTS 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
4. (S) Ambassador told the Minister that we also remain 
concerned about the four terror suspects, including Yasser 
Kamal, who are free under surveillance while their court case 
proceeds.  While we greatly appreciate the cooperation we are 
receiving on surveillance of these suspects, there are 
invariably gaps in our knowledge of their activities and 
intentions.  It is our firm belief that they have not 
moderated their dangerous anti-American sentiments.  It is 
critical that we do all we can to keep the suspects under 
tight surveillance.  Shaikh Rashid agreed that the 
surveillance of Kamal and others should be close and said 
that he would follow up with BNSA about coverage. 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - 
NEW ANTI-TERRORISM LAW 
- - - - - - - - - - - 
 
5. (C)  Shaykh Rashid said that Bahrain needs to move to pass 
the new anti-terrorism law.  He said he would meet personally 
with parliamentarians to encourage support for the 
legislation, but it will take time for the law to be approved 
- perhaps one year.  Ambassador noted that King Hamad's 
recent highly-publicized comments supporting the 
anti-terrorism law were well timed and positive. 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - 
SECURING THE CAUSEWAY 
- - - - - - - - - - - 
 
6. (S) Shaikh Rashid and Undersecretary Shaikh Daij 
Al-Khalifa stated that two large cargo X-Ray scanners have 
been delivered and are being tested before installation at 
the causeway.  Last weekend, the Minister said, a record 
14,000 cars entered Bahrain from Saudi Arabia and 2.5 million 
cars crossed the border in 2004.  Asked about the high number 
of cars coming to Bahrain last weekend, Shaikh Rashid said 
that the increase is seasonal.  Once the weather warms and 
the desert loses its attraction as a weekend destination, 
Saudis come in greater numbers to Bahrain to enjoy the more 
open life here.  The vast majority come for entertainment 
reasons, he added, and we should not be surprised to see 
greater numbers here now.  That said, security at the 
causeway remains a major concern to the Minister.  In 
addition to the scanners, he is making personnel changes at 
the causeway.  NOTE: The first group of seven Explosive 
Detector Dogs and handlers provided by DS/ATA will begin work 
at the causeway next week. END NOTE. 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - 
CONTROLLING SHIA EMOTIONS 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
7.  (C) Shaikh Rashid discussed last month's Shia 
demonstration in Sitra which was held despite a decision to 
ban it.  He noted that despite the ban, it was allowed to 
proceed, with the police presence there only to intervene in 
case of violence or trouble.  He said both the Ministry and 
the Shia marchers handled the situation well, as the march 
proceeded peacefully.  The Ambassador commented that the U.S. 
welcomes and praises the democratic steps taken by the King 
and the government of Bahrain, but worries about backsliding 
when demonstrations are banned.  Shaykh Rashid said that 
Bahrain is not against demonstrations.  It has approved 105 
demonstrations since last August. The concern in this case 
was that there were anticipated requests for further 
demonstrations; the Sitra demonstration threatened to develop 
into a series of continuing sectarian demonstrations, which 
was not good for Bahrain.  And police resources were wearing 
thin maintaining order during the numerous demonstrations. 
"But because of democracy," he added, "we have to allow 
demonstrations. We are trying to keep a healthy balance." 
 
8. (C) Shaykh Rashid described continuing efforts to bring 
Shia into the ranks of the police.  He said he had invited 
members of Parliament, educators, Shia leaders and families 
to observe a parade and review of the community policing 
efforts at the Royal Police Academy last week.  NOTE: Shia 
comprise a very small percentage of police officers in the 
MOI. END NOTE.  The community police training program is 
designed to create a force of educated Sunni and Shia men and 
women to become part of the government system to protect 
people and property.  Shia leaders, he said, were impressed 
and surprised with the efforts being made to integrate the 
police.  He acknowledged, at the same time, that certain 
positions had to remain manned by foreigners.  Bahrain is 
small, he said, and needs a foreign contingent to deal with 
sectarian enforcement. 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
JOINT COUNTERTERRORISM CENTER 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
9. (C) Ambassador inquired about the progress of the CT 
Center and how it has progressed since the FBI National Joint 
Terrorism Task Force Team visited in March.  Shaikh Rashid 
stated how beneficial the visit was to the development of the 
CT Center.  He said office space at MOI has been identified, 
key MOI personnel have been named, and job descriptions and 
Standard Operating Procedures are being written. 
Negotiations on the operation of the Joint Counterterrorism 
Center continue with the Bahrain National Security Agency, 
Bahrain Defense Forces and National Guard, he said. 
MONROE