US embassy cable - 05MANAMA940

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000940 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/I 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2015 
TAGS: PREL, ASEC, MARR, PTER, BA, IZ 
SUBJECT: BAHRAINI CHARGE WOUNDED IN BAGHDAD ASSASSINATION 
ATTEMPT 
 
REF: MANAMA 918 
 
Classified by Pol/Econ Chief Steve Bondy for reasons 1.4 (b) 
and (d). 
 
1.  (C) The press reports that Bahraini Charge in Baghdad 
Hassan Al Ansari was wounded in a morning assassination 
attempt in front of his residence July 5.  The MFA confirmed 
to the Embassy that Al Ansari had been hit in the shoulder or 
arm but indicated that the wounds were not serious and he was 
in stable condition.  The MFA requested USG support for a 
medevac from Baghdad to Manama when Al Ansari is declared fit 
to travel.  MFA Assistant Under Secretary Shaikh Abdul Aziz 
bin Mubarak Al Khalifa was very appreciative of Embassy 
Baghdad's quick action to have Al Ansari admitted to a U.S. 
military hospital. 
 
2.  (C) The Ambassador updated Minister of State for Foreign 
Affairs/Information Minister Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar on U.S. 
actions.  Abdul Ghaffar thanked the Ambassador for USG 
support.  He volunteered that the incident had interrupted 
Bahrain's intention to have Al Ansari present his credentials 
as ambassador to the Iraqi government. 
 
3.  (C) Comment:  Foreign Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin 
Mubarak Al Khalifa indicated during his meeting with the 
Ambassador June 27 (reftel) that following the Brussels 
conference on Iraq, Bahrain was prepared for Al Ansari to 
present his credentials as ambassador.  He commented that the 
GOB had not instructed Al Ansari to do so earlier out of 
concern that such a move would elevate Al Ansari's profile, 
thus increasing the security risk.  The kidnapping of the 
Egyptian envoy and attack on Al Ansari will slow down any 
move to raise Bahrain's representation in Baghdad to 
ambassador. 
 
MONROE