US embassy cable - 05MANAMA1602

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001602 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, S/CT, DS/IP/NEA AND DS/IP/ITA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2015 
TAGS: ASEC, BA, PGOV, PHUM, PTER 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES SECURITY ISSUES WITH INTERIOR 
MINISTER SHAIKH RASHID 
 
REF: A. MANAMA 01503 
     B. MANAMA 01578 
     C. MANAMA 01547 
     D. MANAMA 01553 
     E. STATE 199225 
     F. STATE 199863 
     G. MANAMA 01486 
     H. STATE 199146 
     I. MANAMA 01501 
     J. MANAMA 01406 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) Begin summary: The Ambassador advised Minister of 
Interior Shaikh Rashid October 29 that the USG is prepared to 
transfer a third Bahraini national from Guantanamo to the 
government of Bahrain.  The Ambassador noted continued 
concerns over the inflammatory remarks by Iranian President 
Ahmadi-Nejad and the possible ramifications in Bahrain. 
Recent articles alleging abuse and hunger strikes involving 
Bahraini detainees in Guantanamo were also discussed as were 
events in Iraq and the status of the Joint Counterterrorism 
Center in Bahrain.  End summary. 
 
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RELEASE OF A THIRD GUANTANAMO DETAINEE 
-------------------------------------- 
 
2. (C) The Ambassador met on October 29 with Minister of 
Interior Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa to discuss 
several security related issues in Bahrain. The Ambassador 
began by advising the Minister the U.S. was prepared to 
release a third Bahraini detainee from Guantanamo to the 
exclusive custody and control of the Government of Bahrain in 
the near future (ref h). The detainee would be transferred 
following receipt of written assurances similar to those 
received for the release of two other Bahraini detainees. 
The Ambassador asked the Minister for clarification on who 
would assume custody of the detainee upon arrival in Bahrain 
and reiterated the USG's concern that the individual not have 
an opportunity to leave Bahrain or become involved in future 
terrorist activities.  The Minister assured the Ambassador 
that steps would be taken to ensure the activities of the 
returned detainees were monitored and any information 
generated from interviews conducted by Bahraini authorities 
would be made available to the USG. 
 
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COMMENTS BY IRANIAN PRESIDENT 
----------------------------- 
 
3. (C) The Ambassador discussed recent statements by Iranian 
President Ahmadi-Nejad calling for Israel to be quote wiped 
off the map unquote. Shaikh Rashid stated he was initially 
shocked by the comments and believed the President had 
perhaps misspoken or been misquoted.  However, follow-up 
statements by the Iranian government endorsing such a stance 
were simply unacceptable and highlight the fact Iran is the 
number one threat for the region and Bahrain.  The Ambassador 
highlighted the recent demarche underscoring the United 
State's deep concern over these remarks and the continued 
international anxiety regarding Iran's nuclear program and 
it's alleged support of terrorism.  He encouraged Bahrain to 
take an aggressive public stance against such statements and 
hoped neighboring Gulf states would follow (ref f).  The 
Minister went on to say the upcoming International Institute 
for Strategic Studies (IISS) conference in Bahrain would 
provide an important opportunity to discuss coordinated 
responses to what he perceives to be an ever-increasing 
threat in the Gulf. 
 
----------------------------------- 
AL QUDS DAY CELEBRATIONS IN BAHRAIN 
----------------------------------- 
 
4. (C) The Minister raised the issue of the Al Quds Day 
celebrations that took place on October 28 as an example of 
how things have changed.  The celebrations, while slightly 
smaller than last year's event, saw the usual burning of 
American and Israeli flags as well as posters denouncing the 
U.S. administration.  However, despite calls by some 
religious leaders urging people not to carry any symbols 
unrelated to the Palestinian cause, new to this year's 
celebration were the presence of several Hezballah flags as 
well as photos of the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and 
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-Khamenei.  Public 
Security Chief Abdul-Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani commented the 
reactions were perhaps in response to the recent inflammatory 
comments of the Iranian President (ref e and f).  Shaikh 
Rashid opined that President Ahmadi-Nejad likely timed his 
statements to arouse passions before Al Quds Day 
celebrations, and to deflect Iranian thought away from the 
government's inability to improve things domestically.  He 
added that if President Ahmadi-Nejad keeps talking like this 
it would only mean trouble for the region.  This will have to 
be monitored, he stated, and the Gulf Cooperation Council 
(GCC) would need to consider what it could do to counter it. 
He expressed concern over the potential impact it would have 
on Bahrain's Shia, and suggested Shia elements would have to 
be watched more closely.  Shaikh Rashid was clearly worried 
about the direction Ahmadi-Nejad was taking his country, and 
the impact the rhetoric would have in Bahrain. 
----------------------------- 
PRESS REPORTING ON GUANTANAMO 
----------------------------- 
 
5. (SBU) The Ambassador briefly discussed recent press 
reporting (ref c and d) alleging the sexual humiliation of 
Juma Al Dossary and the advanced hunger strike of Issa Al 
Murbati.  The Ambassador expressed concerns about the 
inaccuracies found in the Arabic daily Akhbar Al Khaleej and 
English daily Gulf Daily News on October 19 and 20 and stated 
the Embassy was exploring a public response to the 
accusations.  The Minister noted the inaccuracies and agreed 
with the Ambassador's suggestion of a public response to the 
allegations. 
 
-------------- 
EVENTS IN IRAQ 
-------------- 
 
6. (C) Recent progress in Iraq to include the referendum on 
the draft constitution (refs a and j) were discussed, and the 
Ambassador again thanked the Minster for the Bahrain 
government's support for the referendum.  While the Minister 
agreed some progress was being made, he commented the USG 
should reconsider the role of previous Iraqi military 
personnel within the new government.  He stated there were 
thousands of trained and loyal Iraqis among those military 
personnel removed from their positions who would take up the 
call to serve their country.  He added Iraqi Sunni's have 
historically never been anti-American, however, circumstances 
are being created that could change that position.  Pending 
individual security clearances, allowing ex-military 
personnel to apply for positions within the government would 
assist in the transition to a new and stable government and 
help to speed-up the departure of U.S. military forces. 
General Zayani added they would not have to be part of the 
new military or police forces but in lesser roles within the 
government such as the National Guard. 
 
--------------------------------- 
JOINT COUNTERTERRORISM TASK FORCE 
--------------------------------- 
 
7. (C) On the Joint Counterterrorism Center (JCTC), General 
Zayani commented the structure scheduled to house the center 
has been identified and equipment purchases are being made. 
It is still hoped the center would be operational in early 
2006.  The Ambassador reiterated the importance of moving 
forward on the establishment of the JCTC as quickly as 
possible, and urged the Minister to continue to give his full 
support for the center. 
MONROE