US embassy cable - 05MANAMA1767

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001767 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/29/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, KDEM, BA, REFORM, ECTRD, BILAT, OFFICIALS, POL 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES UPCOMING LEGISLATION WITH 
PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER AL DHAHRANI 
 
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 Ambassador November 27 spoke with Council of 
Representative (COR - elected lower house of parliament) 
Speaker Khalifa Al Dhahrani about the legislative agenda for 
the current session.  Al Dhahrani explained that the COR had 
decided to hold a series of extraordinary sessions to address 
outstanding bills; first on the agenda is the labor reform 
law.  Al Dhahrani expressed his view that a major issue such 
as dealing with expatriate labor should be addressed at the 
GCC level rather than in each individual country.  He praised 
the public debate about a proposed personal status law, 
saying the opinions being voiced now should lead to a better 
law.  Al Dhahrani hoped that the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade 
Agreement (FTA) would promote enhanced bilateral trade and 
investment relations, leading to more Bahraini jobs and 
increased prosperity.  He stated that Bahrain's commitment to 
the U.S. Navy base in country was firm and strong.  End 
Summary. 
 
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Extraordinary Sessions to Discuss Bills 
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2.  (C) The Ambassador called on COR speaker Al Dhahrani 
November 27 to discuss upcoming legislation and the FTA.  In 
response to the Ambassador's question, Al Dhahrani said that 
labor reform legislation was the primary focus of 
extraordinary sessions scheduled by the COR to address 
outstanding bills.  The Ambassador related that an MP had 
expressed his dissatisfaction with the labor reform bill, and 
the Ambassador had replied that if he did not like the draft, 
he should develop a counter-proposal.  Al Dhahrani said it 
was normal for there to be opposition in parliaments, and 
often MPs speak publicly simply for public relations reasons. 
 In his view, Dhahrani said, a major issue such as how to 
deal with expatriate labor should be addressed at a unified 
GCC level, not on a country-by-country basis. 
 
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Positive Public Debate on Personal Status Law 
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3.  (C) The Ambassador raised the proposed personal status 
law, stating that the prospect of a law had led to public 
affairs campaigns for and against, demonstrations, op-ed 
pieces and editorials, and sermons in the mosques.  Al 
Dhahrani stated that thus far, the government had not 
delivered a draft of the law to parliament.  The COR was 
currently busy with other laws and the personal status law 
would be addressed at the proper time.  He commented, 
however, that the public debate over the law was positive, 
allowing for the public airing of all points of view.  It 
allowed the MPs to consider the various opinions before 
having to address a draft law, which should result in a 
better law. 
 
4.  (C) Al Dhahrani said there was no urgency to pass the law 
quickly because the shariah courts were already performing 
their role and adjudicating personal status issues.  A delay 
in addressing legislation did not mean the citizens would be 
forced to live without an important component of the judicial 
sector.  There were differences of opinion between Sunnis and 
Shias on a law, and even within each community.  Passing a 
personal status law would require agreement by all political 
blocs in the COR.  He hoped that proposed legislation would 
reflect the aspirations of all Bahraini citizens. 
 
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CT Law On Deck 
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5.  (C) The Ambassador said that the draft counter-terrorism 
law would allow for better prosecution of terrorists, and 
asked about the status of the bill.  Al Dhahrani said the COR 
would address this law immediately following debate of the 
labor reform law. 
 
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FTA To Generate Jobs, Prosperity 
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6.  (C) The Ambassador thanked Al Dhahrani for the 
parliament's ratification of the FTA in July and briefed the 
Speaker on the current state of play in Congress.  Al 
Dhahrani stated that the FTA would help strengthen the 
historically close relations between the U.S. and Bahrain. 
The King, Crown Prince, and Parliament all give special 
treatment to the relationship with the United States, and 
Bahrain appreciates the U.S. position on bilateral trade and 
investment links.  Nothing threatens the safety of American 
citizens and investments in the Kingdom, and the government 
wants the USG to promote business opportunities in Bahrain. 
With greater investment, the economy will generate more jobs 
and increased prosperity. 
 
7.  (C) The Ambassador agreed, saying one of his priorities 
is to promote the commercial relationship.  He noted that 
Economic Development Board CEO Shaikh Mohammed bin Issa would 
lead an American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain trade mission 
to the U.S. soon.  Al Dhahrani said there had been costs to 
pursuing the FTA with the United States, including Saudi 
Arabia's decision in summer 2004 to end a 50,000 barrel/day 
oil grant.  But he was confident the FTA would prove to be 
beneficial for the Bahraini economy. 
 
8.  (C) Al Dhahrani said that Bahrain had always welcomed 
people of all nationalities, and hoped that the dependents of 
U.S. Navy personnel stationed in the Kingdom would be allowed 
to return soon.  The Ambassador said the USG was looking at 
the possible future return of some of the dependents, but we 
continue to have concerns about possible threats in the 
country.  Al Dhahrani said that the Navy was always welcome 
in Bahrain and the GOB's commitment to the base is firm and 
strong. 
 
ZIADEH