US embassy cable - 05MANAMA980

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000980 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2015 
TAGS: PREL, BA, IZ 
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN IN NO RUSH TO REPLACE WOUNDED CHARGE IN 
BAGHDAD 
 
REF: MANAMA 940 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe.  Reason: 1.4 (B)(D) 
 
1. (C) MFA Minister of State Dr. Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar 
conceded to the Ambassador July 9 that it may be some time 
before Bahrain replaces its Charge d'Affaires in Iraq, 
following the July 5 shooting of Hassan Al-Ansari in Baghdad 
(reftel).  Although Al-Ansari was originally expected to fly 
back directly to Manama, he now reportedly will go to Germany 
via Jordan for further medical treatment on wounds suffered 
in his arm and hand.  It is not known when he will return to 
Bahrain. 
 
2. (C) When asked about plans to replace Al-Ansari, Abdul 
Ghaffar acknowledged that it may be difficult to find a 
replacement.  He said that the government did not want to 
force anyone to go to Baghdad, especially in light of the 
attack on Al-Ansari.  At the time of the attack, Al-Ansari 
was the only Bahrain-based diplomat assigned to the Embassy 
(there had been two, Abdul Ghaffar stated, but the second had 
declined to stay there).  With the departure of Al-Ansari, 
all employees are now locally hired, including one long-time 
Baghdad resident who is half-Iraqi, half-Bahraini. 
MONROE