US embassy cable - 05MANAMA859

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000859 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA, DS/ITA, NEA/ARPI, S/CT 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/16/2015 
TAGS: ASEC, BA, PGOV, PTER, PHUM 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES SECURITY ISSUES, 
DEMONSTRATIONS WITH INTERIOR MINISTER 
 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR WILLIAM T. MONROE FOR REASONS 1.4 (b and d) 
 
 - 
 
1. (S/NF) Summary.  The Ambassador, in a June 13 meeting with 
Minister of Interior Shaikh Rashid, reviewed recent security 
developments, relating details of a reported surveillance 
incident of the Embassy and reasserting our concern about the 
"Bahrain Four."  Shaikh Rashid said that he sensed the 
security outlook on the Arabian Peninsula was improving, 
thanks in large part to successes in Saudi Arabia.  He 
acknowledged that the royal family member at the center of a 
Shia village protest over a wall had unnecessarily mishandled 
the case.  He said the third in a series of demonstrations 
demanding constitutional amendments would take place as 
planned on June 17.  Briefed on the TIP report, he said the 
Ministry was working with the Ministry of Social Affairs on a 
shelter for abused women.  End summary. 
 
2. (S)  The Ambassador met June 13 with Minister of Interior 
Shaikh Rashid Al-Khalifa to review security developments in 
Bahrain.  The Ambassador noted that he had recently heard 
positive comments about the improvement of morale and 
professionalism among police officers since Shaikh Rashid 
came to the Ministry just over a year ago, and congratulated 
the Minister on his efforts.  He also thanked the Minister 
for his continuing strong support in helping address Embassy 
security needs.  In that connection, the Ambassador said he 
wanted to bring to the Minister's attention a recent incident 
in which NCIS discovered that the Embassy may have been 
photographed in early March 2005.  An NCIS report (not yet 
released) indicated a Bahraini or Saudi male took 10-12 
photos of the south and west exterior perimeter walls of the 
embassy on March 8, 2005 and then had the photos developed at 
a nearby photo shop.  Shaikh Rashid offered full cooperation 
and advised that the Bahrain National Security Agency (BNSA) 
would take the lead on this matter.  Police patrols around 
the Embassy will be increased. 
 
3. (S/NF) The Ambassador expressed appreciation to Shaikh 
Rashid for the continuing surveillance of the "Bahrain Four," 
adding that it is clear their mind-set has not changed and 
that we continue to worry that their exoneration by the 
courts, if that happened, would be misinterpreted and send 
the wrong message. Shaikh Rashid assured that continued 
surveillance pressure by the BNSA will continue even though 
the Four know they are being watched.  At the same time, he 
expressed some confidence that the long period of detention 
and surveillance had had an impact on their ability to act. 
More broadly, he expressed optimism that perhaps the tide was 
beginning to turn favorably on the Arabian peninsula in the 
war on terrorism.  Attitudes against terrorism seemed to be 
strengthening.  Most importantly, he said, the situation is 
looking better in Saudi Arabia, with the government there 
involved in mop op operations and feeling more comfortable 
due to its successes against the terrorists. 
 
4. (C) The Ambassador asked about the situation in Malkiya, a 
small Shia fishing village where residents have held 
demonstrations for the past two weeks to protest a wall 
constructed onto the beach alongside the property of a senior 
member of the royal family.  Shaikh Rashid stated that the 
royal family member, Shaikh Hamad bin Mohammed, perhaps had a 
legitimate complaint that local residents were disturbing his 
land, but that Shaikh Hamad no doubt had mishandled the case 
and unnecessarily aroused the passions of the local community 
by continuing to build the wall after legal and other 
concerns were raised.  He said that the issue had been 
resolved the evening before following a meeting between 
Shaikh Hamad and local residents, but took the Ambassador's 
point that, in this more open era where the press and 
parliament were more freely ably to focus on issues like 
this, royal family behavior would inevitably come under more 
public scrutiny. 
 
5. (C) The Ambassador noted a recent Ministry of Interior 
press release that the Ministry had granted more than 180 
permits to demonstrate in the past 11 months.  Shaikh Rashid 
said the high rate of demonstrations is a challenge for the 
Ministry.  One of the issues for the demonstrators is jobs, 
as was seen in recent protests in front of the royal court. 
He added that the third in the series of demonstrations 
demanding constitutional reforms would be held June 17 in 
Hamad Town.  He said there were no plans to block this 
demonstration (Note: The government turned down the request 
for the first demonstration in this series in Sitra in late 
March just before the Formula 1 race, but did not prevent it 
from happening.  The second demonstration took place 
peacefully in the Seif area.) 
 
6. (C) Shaikh Rashid said that there are indications that 
Shia oppositionists will participate in the 2006 
parliamentary elections.  He expressed concern, however, 
about possible Iranian intervention in the elections, noting 
that a recent Iranian visitor had reportedly told Al-Wifaq 
leaders that religious funds could be used for political 
purposes. 
 
7. (C) The Ambassador raised the Trafficking in Persons 
Report, noting that Bahrain had been placed on the Tier Two 
Watch List.  One of the issues of concern was shelters for 
abused women.  The Ambassador urged the Minister to move 
forward on shelters, which would not only address a concern 
raised in the TIP report but was the right thing to do for 
abused women.  Shaikh Rashid was well briefed on the subject, 
and said that the MOI and Ministry of Social Affairs will 
develop a temporary solution using rented space until a 
permanent structure is built.  MOI will donate the land, and 
provide the center with female police officers, he stated. 
MONROE