US embassy cable - 05MANAMA786

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000786 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2015 
TAGS: ELAB, PHUM, PREL, BA, CU, BB, ILO 
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN:  CUBAN CANDIDACY FOR THE ILO GOVERNING 
BODY 
 
REF: STATE 94818 
 
Classified by A/DCM Helen H. Hahn for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Pol/Econ chief May 31 delivered reftel demarche 
concerning Cuba's candidacy for the International Labor 
Organization (ILO) Governing Body to MFA Director for 
International Organization Affairs Ghassan Shaikho.  Asking 
P/E chief not to take notes, Shaikho said he wanted to 
support the U.S. position that Cuba not be elected to the 
Governing Body, but there were many in the Bahraini MFA who 
remember a period when Cuba was helpful to Bahrain in the UN 
and who would want to vote in favor of Cuba in its election 
bid.  Focusing on two of the talking points, Shaikho said it 
would help him if the USG could provide him with detailed and 
specific information on (1) how Cuba has failed to meet its 
obligations under ILO conventions and rejected ILO offers of 
technical assistance, and (2) Barbados's history of 
cooperation with the ILO.  He was confident he could secure a 
supportive vote if provided the evidence requested. 
 
2.  (C) Shaikho said that the GOB was pursuing the employment 
of a Bahraini citizen (unnamed) in the ILO secretariat.  He 
claimed that no Bahrainis are employed by the secretariats of 
UN organizations, and stated that the Bahraini PermRep might 
approach U.S. Mission Geneva for its support. 
 
MONROE