US embassy cable - 05MANAMA1163

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001163 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, KPAL, KDEM, BA 
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN:  PREPARING FOR THE SHARM AL SHEIKH SUMMIT 
 
REF: STATE 141247 
 
Classified by Charge d'Affaires Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 
1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
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Summary 
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1.  (C) The Charge delivered reftel demarche concerning the 
Sharm Al Sheikh summit to Foreign Minister Shaikh Mohammed 
bin Mubarak Al Khalifa in an August 10 meeting covering a 
number of issues.  Shaikh Mohammed said the summit had not 
yet been rescheduled and relayed his sense that it could be 
put off until after the presidential election in Egypt. 
Shaikh Mohammed reiterated Bahrain's firm stand against 
terror and said that King Hamad visited London shortly after 
the bombings to demonstrate Arab and Muslim rejection of 
terror.  The ForMin said progress in the peace process would 
allow Bahrain to take more formal steps in its relationship 
with Israel and noted that he had met one day earlier with 
Israeli MFA roving ambassador Bruce Kashdan.  He was grateful 
for the Secretary's phone call after Bahraini Charge in 
Baghdad Hassan Al Ansari was wounded on July 5.  Bahrain 
supports Iraq's development and stabilization and had 
welcomed Vice President Yawar in Manama recently.  Shaikh 
Mohammed said that Iraq's neighbors had made a strong 
statement warning regional countries not to interfere in 
Iraq's internal affairs and suggested Syria and Iraq find 
ways to build confidence in one another on border security. 
End Summary. 
 
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No Date Set for Sharm Summit 
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2.  (C) In an August 10 meeting covering several issues 
(septels), Charge delivered reftel demarche on preparing for 
the Sharm Al Sheikh summit to Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign 
Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa.  In response 
to the points, Shaikh Mohammed said that the summit had not 
yet been rescheduled, though he hoped it would take place 
soon.  A complicating factor, the ForMin said, is that the 
Egyptian presidential election campaign period opens on 
August 15, and Mubarak may not want to hold the summit until 
after the election.  Mubarak might want to avoid being 
accused of holding the summit for domestic political and 
electoral reasons.  In any case, Shaikh Mohammed said,  King 
Hamad will attend the summit whenever it is held. 
 
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Firm Stand Against Terror 
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3.  (C) Responding to the points on terrorism, Shaikh 
Mohammed said that the international community needs to make 
a strong statement rejecting terrorism following the London 
and Sharm attacks.  He noted that King Hamad visited London 
shortly after the bombings there to show that Bahrain 
supports the UK during this difficult time, and to 
demonstrate that Arab and Muslim countries stand firm against 
terror.  Shaikh Mohammed assured the Charge that Bahrain will 
always speak out against terror, which threatens all 
countries, including Bahrain. 
 
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Hope for Israel-Palestinian Progress 
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4.  (C) On Israel and the Palestinians, the ForMin said that 
Bahrain hopes the peace process will continue and that 
Israel's relations with the Arab world will normalize.  As 
the peace process improves, Shaikh Mohammed said, Bahrain is 
ready to move forward in its relationship with Israel. 
 
5.  (C) Shaikh Mohammed said that he had met the previous day 
with Israel's roving ambassador, Bruce Kashdan, who is 
focused on solidifying Israel's international connections. 
The ForMin said Bahrain has had "quiet, businesslike" 
contacts with Israel for some time.  But before Bahrain can 
take more public and formal steps, the people of Bahrain must 
feel that the situation on the ground for the Palestinians 
has improved.  Bahrain does not want to allow an Israeli 
office to open and then close it in response to conflict in 
Arab-Israeli relations.  The situation should be stable 
before Bahrain establishes more formal links with Israel. 
 
6.  (C) Shaikh Mohammed stated that Bahrain would not object 
to a consensus on adopting a new, neutral symbol for the Red 
Cross/Red Crescent Movement, thus allowing Israel's Magen 
David Adom to join.  This is a humanitarian issue, he said. 
 
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Bahraini Support for Iraq 
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7.  (C) With regard to Iraq, Shaikh Mohammed said that 
Bahrain supports the Iraqi government, the Iraqi people, 
peace, economic development, and ending terror.  He noted 
that Iraqi Vice President Ghazi Yawar had visited Bahrain 
recently.  Bahrain considers him to be an important link to 
Iraq's Sunni community.  The ForMin thanked the USG for its 
assistance following the July 5 shooting of Bahraini Charge 
in Iraq Hassan Al Ansari.  He appreciated the Secretary's 
phone call.  In response to the Charge's question, Shaikh 
Mohammed said that Bahrain "has in mind" either having Al 
Ansari resume his duties or appointing someone else.  It was 
difficult to find someone willing to go to Iraq, but it could 
prove easier now that the GOI has said it will provide 
security for diplomats. 
 
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Confidence Building on Syria-Iraq Border 
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8.  (C) On Syria, Shaikh Mohammed said that the communique 
from the Iraq Neighbors Conference firmly stated that 
bordering countries should not interfere in Iraq's domestic 
affairs.  Syria says it is doing its best to secure its 
border with Iraq, but the other side disagrees.  Both Syria 
and Iraq should work together to build confidence in one 
another.  It was important that the instability in Iraq not 
spill over the border into Syria.  (Note:  The ForMin 
listened closely but did not comment directly on the points 
on Syrian meddling inside Lebanon.  End Note.) 
 
9.  (U) Minimize considered. 
 
ZIADEH