US embassy cable - 05MANAMA779

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000779 
 
SIPDIS 
 
COMMERCE FOR ITA/MAC/ONE, CLOUSTAUNAU, AND THOFFMAN 
STATE PASS USTR/JBUNTIN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, PGOV, ETRD, BA 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES FTA, KORAN DESECRATION, 
DEMOCRATIC REFORM WITH PARLIAMENT CHAIRMAN 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
. 
 
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Summary 
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1.  (C) Council of Representatives (COR) Chairman Khalifa Al 
Dhahrani told the Ambassador May 30 that he did not expect 
the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to be ratified by 
the COR before the June 15 summer recess (but following the 
Ambassador's emphasis of the importance of an early 
ratification, called back to say he was working with the 
Finance Committee to make early ratification a priority).  He 
appreciated the USG's public statements against Koran 
desecration at Guantanamo, but said that prisoner abuse and 
desecration of the Koran, even if committed by only a few 
individuals, hurt the U.S.'s reputation in the region. 
Dhahrani expressed satisfaction with the role of parliament 
in Bahrain's new democratic system and thanked the Ambassador 
for USG support for the National Democratic Institute (NDI) 
project in Bahrain.  End Summary. 
 
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Free Trade Agreement 
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2.  (C) The Ambassador asked Chairman Dhahrani in their May 
30 meeting when he expected the COR to ratify the 
U.S.-Bahrain FTA.  Dhahrani replied that he did not expect it 
to happen before the summer recess commences June 15.  He 
explained that the Financial and Economic Committee was still 
engaged in unusually difficult negotiations on the budget and 
had not been able to address the FTA.  The committee will 
meet during the summer and the FTA will be the first item on 
the COR's agenda when the next parliamentary session begins 
in September.  The Ambassador urged the COR to move forward 
with the FTA as soon as possible, noting that Bahraini 
businesses will want to take advantage of the agreement 
before other countries in the region sign similar agreements 
with the U.S.  (Note: GOB and USG translators have not yet 
completed an official Arabic translation of the FTA, a legal 
requirement before the COR can formally address the 
agreement.  End Note.)  Subsequently, Dhahrani's office 
called the Ambassador to say that Dhahrani had followed up 
with the Finance Committee to make early ratification a 
priority. 
 
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Koran Desecration and Prisoner Abuse 
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4.  (C) The Ambassador raised the Koran disecration issue, 
noting Newsweek's retraction, the Secretary's strong 
statement that it was against U.S. policy to disrespect any 
holy book, and the strict regulations in place on handling of 
the Koran at Guantanamo.  It should be perfectly clear, the 
Ambassador stressed, that desecration of the Koran is 
absolutely contrary to U.S. policy.  Dhahrani said he 
recognized that the USG and the American people respect all 
religions, and he thought it was unfair that a few bad people 
tarnished the whole country's image.  He stated that a 
neutral body should investigate the allegations and ensure 
that those responsible are punished.  (Note: Public protests 
in Bahrain have been limited. On May 25, several dozen 
University of Bahrain students demonstrated on their campus 
against alleged Koran desecration at Guantanamo.  On May 27, 
150-200 people answered a call for a rally in Muharraq 
against the alleged abuses.  Editorial commentary has died 
down.  End Note.) 
 
5.  (C) Dhahrani added that what has happened in Guantanamo 
and Abu Gharib is contrary to the U.S. goals of democracy and 
freedom.  Arabs and Muslims feel uneasy about the U.S. when 
they see prisoners on TV treated inhumanely, even if it is 
just a few individuals who are responsible and it is not an 
official policy.  Americans would feel the same way if they 
saw U.S. citizens treated in such a way by an Arab country. 
The Ambassador confirmed that the USG is doing everything it 
can to punish abusers and correct mistakes.  He said that 
when problems arise, people are held accountable. 
 
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Democratic Reform 
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6.  (C) The Ambassador asked Dhahrani how he thought the 
current parliamentary session compared to previous sessions. 
Dhahrani said that the COR's demands for greater 
accountability and transparency had attracted the 
government's attention and was changing the way the 
parliament and government interact.  He noted that 
neighboring countries are watching and waiting to see if the 
democratic experiment will work in Bahrain.  If it is 
successful, other countries will also open up to more reform. 
 Dhahrani expressed his appreciation for the assistance that 
the MEPI-sponsored NDI project is providing to 
parliamentarians and political societies. 
 
7.  (C) Dhahrani stressed that the Embassy should be balanced 
in its work on domestic politics and not just talk to 
opposition leaders.  This is especially important in Bahrain, 
where the Sunni/Shi'a mix makes political issues especially 
sensitive.  Dhahrani added that U.S. State Department reports 
on Bahrain should strive for greater accuracy and that the 
USG should not do anything that interferes in the Kingdom's 
internal affairs.  The Ambassador replied that EmbOffs are 
aware of the sensitivity of certain issues and would never 
interfere in Bahrain's internal affairs.  The Embassy meets 
with a diverse group of people from all sides and always 
encourages dialogue and participation. 
MONROE