US embassy cable - 05MANAMA1498

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001498 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2015 
TAGS: PREL, KMPI, OVIP, BA 
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON FORUM FOR THE FUTURE AGENDA 
 
REF: A. WINCUP-MONROE EMAIL OF 10/12/05 
 
     B. MANAMA 1484 
 
Classified by DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
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Summary 
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1.  (C)  The DCM October 15 presented Ref A points concerning 
the agenda for the November 11-12 Forum for the Future 
conference to MFA Assistant Under Secretary Shaikh Abdul 
Aziz.  Shaikh Abdul Aziz said he would consider a U.S. 
proposal that Bahrain and the UK appoint chairs for each of 
the three substantive sessions at the conference, on 
education, civil society, and democracy.  He agreed in 
principle to the U.S. suggestion that former co-chairs the 
U.S. and Morocco speak at the conference opening and upcoming 
co-chairs Russia and Jordan speak at the closing.  He 
confirmed that at the closing, the Secretary would announce 
the launch of the Fund and Foundation for the Future directly 
following the Bahraini and British foreign ministers' report 
on the results of the conference.  Journalists would ask 
questions only following the launch announcement.  Shaikh 
Abdul Aziz said that Spain and Denmark would be invited to 
the Forum, and additional countries could be invited 
following U.S. confirmation that they would support the 
Foundation.  End Summary. 
 
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Session Chairs and S Participation 
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2.  (C) DCM and Pol/Econ chief October 15 met with MFA 
Assistant Under Secretary for Coordination and Follow Up 
Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa to discuss Ref A 
points concerning the agenda for the November 11-12 Forum for 
the Future conference in Manama.  The DCM suggested that 
Bahrain and the UK appoint ministers to chair each of the 
three functional items on the agenda:  education, civil 
society, and democracy.  Shaikh Abdul Aziz replied that 
Bahrain and the UK would chair the overall meeting and said 
he would discuss the proposal with Foreign Minister Shaikh 
Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.  He asked for our input on 
specific ideas about who should chair each of the topics. 
 
3.  (C) The DCM stated that for reasons of continuity and 
inclusion, there should be time allocated for former co-hosts 
the U.S. and Morocco to speak at the conference opening and 
upcoming co-hosts Russia and Jordan to speak at the closing. 
Shaikh Abdul Aziz replied that this made sense and sounded 
reasonable, and he supported the idea in principle.  He noted 
that by shortening the time allocated for Bahrain and the UK 
at the opening from ten minutes each to allowing five minutes 
each for Bahrain, the UK, U.S., and Morocco, the change could 
be made without altering the timing of subsequent sessions. 
He stated that he is working with the FCO's Frances Guy on 
the agenda and would contact her about the proposed change. 
He was aware that Guy is in contact with Washington officials 
about the agenda. 
 
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Press Event, Signing Ceremony 
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4.  (SBU) The DCM asked about the sequence of events at the 
conference closing, in particular the Secretary's 
announcement of the Fund and Foundation for the Future. 
Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that the Bahraini and British foreign 
ministers would speak first to the press about the results of 
the conference.  Then the Secretary would announce the launch 
of the Fund and Foundation.  Only after that announcement 
would journalists be invited to ask questions. 
 
5.  (C) Shaikh Abdul Aziz asked if the U.S. had views about a 
possible signing ceremony for a statement of principles on 
the Forum process.  He said that the Moroccan representative 
at the recent London steering committee meeting had said that 
it would be difficult for ministers to sign a document 
without having reviewed the text earlier.  Shaikh Abdul Aziz 
thought that the text of a possible statement should be 
circulated soon if ministers would be asked to sign it at the 
Forum. 
 
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Invitations to Non-G-8 Supporters 
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6.  (SBU) The DCM suggested that non-G-8 countries offering 
financial and political support for the Foundation be invited 
to attend the Forum.  Spain and Denmark have already pledged 
support, and the U.S. was following up with Switzerland, the 
Netherlands, and Norway.  Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that he and 
Guy had discussed Spain and Denmark and had agreed that they 
should be invited.  Invitations would go out shortly. 
Regarding the other three countries, Shaikh Abdul Aziz said 
they would be invited as soon as the U.S. confirms that they 
will support the Foundation. 
 
7.  (SBU) In response to Pol/Econ chief's question, Shaikh 
Abdul Aziz said that Beyster Institute representatives would 
provide background information and support for a presentation 
on development of the Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence 
in Bahrain, but Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid would give the 
presentation at the Forum.  This had been the GOB's intention 
all along. 
 
8.  (SBU) Shaikh Abdul Aziz said that the GOB would host a 
working dinner for foreign ministers the evening of Friday, 
November 11, and he hoped the Secretary would attend.  It was 
his understanding that the subject of conversation would be 
non-Forum-related regional policy issues.  The format of the 
dinner, with microphones on the table, would promote real 
interaction on the issues, he said. 
 
MONROE