

Currently released so far... 6230 / 251,287
Articles
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Amsterdam
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lagos
Mission USNATO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Browse by tag
ASEC
AF
AE
AR
AORC
AJ
AU
AM
ABLD
AL
AMGT
ASUP
AFIN
APER
ABUD
AVERY
APCS
AEMR
ADCO
APECO
ASIG
AG
AA
AS
AFFAIRS
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AMED
AO
ACOA
AX
AROC
ATFN
ASEAN
AFGHANISTAN
AFU
AER
ALOW
AODE
ATRN
AID
AC
AGMT
CH
CO
CS
CE
CU
CLINTON
CG
CVIS
CMGT
CI
CJAN
CF
COM
CASC
CA
CBW
CM
CDG
CR
COUNTER
CD
CWC
CKGR
CN
CPAS
CJUS
CV
CONS
CT
CY
COUNTERTERRORISM
CIA
CACM
CDB
CAN
COE
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CONDOLEEZZA
CARSON
CL
CIS
CODEL
CTM
CB
ECON
EFIN
EAIR
EUN
EINV
ENRG
EG
ETRD
EPET
ETTC
ELAB
EU
ER
ET
EAGR
ECPS
ECIN
ELTN
EAID
EMIN
EWWT
EFIS
EIND
EC
ES
EN
EI
ENVR
ENGR
ENIV
EUNCH
ENVI
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ELN
EZ
EXTERNAL
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EINT
EUR
ECINECONCS
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EK
ELECTIONS
ECUN
EINVEFIN
ECIP
EINDETRD
EUC
EREL
ECA
ENERG
ENGY
ETRO
EFTA
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
ECONEFIN
EINVETC
EINN
ESA
ETC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ESENV
ETRDECONWTOCS
IN
IC
IR
IZ
IS
IAEA
IT
ICTY
IO
IA
IWC
ID
ICRC
ILC
INTELSAT
IMO
ISRAELI
IACI
ILO
ITRA
IBRD
IMF
ICJ
ICAO
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
INTERPOL
IV
IQ
IPR
INRB
ITPHUM
IIP
IL
INR
ITPGOV
IZPREL
IRC
INRA
INRO
IRAJ
IEFIN
IF
KDEM
KCRM
KJUS
KTIA
KWBG
KPAL
KIPR
KTIP
KE
KNNP
KGHG
KICC
KV
KTFN
KU
KCFE
KDRG
KWMN
KSCA
KGIC
KCOR
KFRD
KPKO
KSUM
KPRP
KPAO
KBCT
KIRF
KCFC
KISL
KREC
KSPR
KHIV
KBIO
KMCA
KMPI
KFLU
KSTH
KBTR
KS
KOMC
KOMS
KSEP
KPRV
KFLO
KHLS
KN
KWWMN
KUNR
KLIG
KSTC
KZ
KG
KRAD
KOLY
KTBT
KTDB
KOCI
KAWK
KCIP
KNPP
KWAC
KMDR
KAWC
KIDE
KSAF
KX
KWMNCS
KNEI
KCRS
KVPR
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KACT
KO
KFSC
KR
KPWR
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KFIN
KGCC
KPIN
KPLS
KIRC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KGIT
KBTS
KERG
KWMM
KRVC
KNSD
KVIR
KNUP
KTER
KDDG
KHSA
KMRS
KHDP
KTLA
KPAK
KNAR
KREL
KPAI
KTEX
KCOM
KNNPMNUC
KPOA
KRFD
KHUM
KDEV
KNUC
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MO
MX
MCAP
ML
MTCRE
MR
MP
MY
MU
MIL
MAR
MC
MRCRE
MTRE
MA
MEPI
MV
MPOS
MD
MZ
MEPP
MOPPS
MAPP
MASC
MT
MERCOSUR
MK
MDC
MI
MAPS
MCC
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MTCR
MG
OREP
OVIP
OFDP
ODIP
OPDC
OAS
OTRA
OSCE
OECD
OIIP
OEXC
OPCW
OPIC
OPRC
OVP
OSCI
OTR
OSAC
OIC
OFFICIALS
OIE
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PREF
PTER
PARM
PBTS
PINR
PINS
PHSA
PK
POL
PM
PINT
PE
PINF
PEL
PA
PARMS
PO
PLN
PROP
PALESTINIAN
PAO
PL
POV
PG
POLITICS
PEPR
PSI
PSOE
PU
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PBIO
PECON
PAK
POGOV
PINL
PKFK
PMIL
PY
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PRAM
PMAR
PGOVLO
PUNE
PORG
PHUMPREL
PF
POLINT
PHUS
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PNAT
PGOVE
PRGOV
PRL
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
SENV
SY
SZ
SOCI
SO
SR
SNAR
SA
SP
SW
SMIG
SU
SCUL
SC
SAN
SN
SL
SG
SYR
SEVN
SF
SI
STEINBERG
SIPRS
SH
SNARCS
SOFA
SANC
SHUM
SK
ST
TRGY
TU
TBIO
TH
TS
TSPL
TT
TPHY
TSPA
TI
TK
TIP
TERRORISM
TZ
TX
TW
TD
TP
TC
TO
TNGD
TINT
TRSY
TR
TFIN
TURKEY
UK
UNGA
UN
UNHRC
UNMIK
UNO
UZ
UNSC
UP
UG
UNHCR
UNDC
US
UNAUS
USTR
UV
UNEP
UY
UNESCO
USUN
UAE
USEU
UNDP
UNCHS
UNVIE
UNCHC
UE
UNDESCO
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09MANAMA442, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE VERSHBOW AND
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09MANAMA442.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09MANAMA442 | 2009-07-26 08:08 | 2011-02-18 21:09 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Manama |
VZCZCXRO6486
PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMK #0442/01 2070855
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 260855Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8828
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0116
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 000442
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/26/2019
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR AF IZ QA BA
SUBJECT: ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE VERSHBOW AND
AMBASSADOR ERELI MEET WITH KING HAMAD OF BAHRAIN
Classified By: Ambassador Adam Ereli for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In a July 22 meeting with Assistant Secretary
of Defense for International Security Affairs, Ambassador
Alexander Vershbow, and the U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain, Adam
Ereli, King Hamad of Bahrain was unwavering in his support
for United States policies in the Gulf, welcomed any new
requests the U.S. may need from Bahrain, voiced strong
support for U.S. actions in Afghanistan and Iraq, and said he
was ready to play a positive role toward Israel. However, he
voiced strong "annoyance" at Qatari behavior, particularly
the recent visit of Qatar's Chief of Staff of its Armed
Forces to Iran, as well as Qatari rebuffs to Bahraini
requests for natural gas. END SUMMARY
¶2. (C) King Hamad warmly welcomed Ambassadors Vershbow and
Ereli and began the meeting by thanking the United States for
the staunch support we provide Bahrain. He reminded the
Ambassadors that Bahrain is a long-time U.S. ally, remains
firm in its support of U.S. efforts in the Gulf, and greatly
values our bilateral relationship that is of significant
importance to Bahrain's interests. He said Bahrain will do
anything to work together with the U.S. He was particularly
praiseworthy of the bilateral defense relationship,
commenting that the superb advice Bahrain's Defense Forces
(BDF) receive from the U.S. has resulted in the BDF being one
of the cleanest organizations in Bahrain's government. The
King also noted that the equipment received through the
Foreign Military Financing (FMF) process was of high quality
and operationally effective, and he was also proud of the
strong relations established with U.S. 5th Fleet.
¶3. (C) Ambassador Vershbow thanked His Majesty for hosting
the Military Consultative Committee that was currently
meeting in Manama and for his country's support to U.S.
interests. He noted that the U.S.-Bahraini relationship was
very strong and mutually beneficial and affirmed to the King
that the U.S. and Bahrain shared a similar vision in the
region despite its many challenges.
--------------------
Afghanistan and Iraq
--------------------
¶4. (C) Turning to Afghanistan and Iraq, King Hamad said the
upcoming deployment of Bahrain's Ministry of Interior (MoI)
security unit to provide fixed site security in Afghanistan
would provide great experience to MoI personnel and allows
Bahrain to show its flag and demonstrate support for the
Coalition. He stated that U.S. involvement in Afghanistan
provided a golden opportunity for the Afghan people to build
their country's security forces as well as their education,
medical, science and trade programs and ministries. The King
added that U.S. efforts should be touted more in the media.
He quoted President Eisenhower, saying the "U.S. is
soldiering for peace and not waging war" and he understood
that the U.S. was not seeking to rule over Afghanistan or
Iraq. He is convinced that the U.S. is in both places to
help the Afghan and Iraqi people and he was appreciative of
our armed forces personnel performing their duties in places
so far from home. King Hamad noted some instability in Iraq,
but thought overall, Iraq was on a positive slope. ASD
Vershbow thanked the King for his comments and said it was
important that the world hears his, as well as similar
explanations, of U.S. policies in Afghanistan and Iraq.
¶5. (C) Commenting on Bahrain's participation in coalition
maritime operations and efforts against terrorism and piracy,
King Hamad said he had recently told his Parliament that,
"Ships are sailing to defend the region and why don't we join
them? If we don't join, we will miss an opportunity." His
remarks acknowledged Bahrain's past and current participation
in Combined Task Force (CTF) 152 and its anticipated
participation in CTF 151.
---------------------------------
Annoyed and Concerned about Qatar
---------------------------------
¶6. (C) The King voiced concern about what is happening in the
region and stated that he would like to see a stronger Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC) as a deterrent against future
threats and to provide more security in the region. King
Hamad flatly stated that Bahrain is not happy with Qatar. He
took particular exception to the recent visit to Iran by
Qatar's Chief of Staff, MG Hamad al Attiyah. He noted that
during the visit, the two sides released a statement agreeing
to joint training exercises, intelligence exchange and
MANAMA 00000442 002 OF 002
reciprocal visits of military staff and units. "This is
going too far," King Hamad fumed. It's one thing to have
trade and commercial exchanges, he noted, but to welcome
Iranian military units on the territory of a GCC member state
is "a strategic matter." He went on to say that Iran is the
number-one threat in the region; any country should be
cautious about exchanging military information with Iran, and
no GCC country should allow an Iranian military unit or
personnel to land on its shores. The King stated that he
would like to show Qatar some type of unhappiness for its
actions with Iran.
¶7. (C) The King said it is rumored that MG al-Attiyah may
retire as the Qatari CHOD and perhaps this influenced his
decision to visit Iran. (NOTE: In a separate meeting with
ASD Vershbow and State P/M Assistant Secretary Shapiro,
during their July 20-21 visit to Doha, MG al-Attiyah did
state that his visit to Iran was long planned but perhaps
ill-timed to coincide with recent post-election activities in
Tehran; since it was previously planned, he had not wanted to
cancel his visit. END NOTE.) King Hamad added that Qatar's
behavior "is an annoyance, but it was too early to be angry
at them." King Hamad went on saying he "would like our
brother in Saudi Arabia to send a note telling Qatar not to
play like this."
¶8. (C) ASD Vershbow affirmed U.S. displeasure with Iranian
behavior, particularly its nuclear program, and stated the
U.S. would not tolerate Iranian pursuit of nuclear weapons.
He told the King we were disappointed with the timing of the
Qatari CHOD's visit, but hoped the Qataris could persuade
Iran to engage with the U.S. to end its nuclear program,
rather than seeking a confrontation with the international
community.
-------------------------
Plug for the Crown Prince
-------------------------
¶9. (C) ASD Vershbow said he appreciated the Crown Prince's
recent op-ed published on the Middle East which he understood
bore the King's stamp. He said the Crown Prince's points
about Arab countries seizing the opportunity at hand and
setting aside past differences to move forward on the peace
process was right on mark. King Hamad responded that
Bahrain supported U.S.-led efforts to make peace and agreed
that the Arab world needed to contribute positively to this
effort. Returning to Qatar, King Hamad noted that Abdul Bari
al Atwan, the editor-in-chief of the pan-Arab daily "Al Quds
al Arabi," had written a widely-read article critical of the
Crown Prince's op-ed. Qatar is a major financial backer of
al Quds al Arabi, the King remarked, and he clearly saw the
hand of Doha behind Abdul Bari's attack. Continuing on this
theme, King Hamad said there were two major issues that made
him angry with regard to Qatar. The first was the Iran
issue; the second was gas. For years, Bahrain has been
asking to buy Qatari gas, but their response has always been
that Qatar exports were maxed out and it was not prepared to
enter into new supply contracts. These rejections
notwithstanding, the King asserted that he had recently
learned that Qatar has inked a new supply deal with Mexico
and will increase gas supplies to England. He was at a loss
to understand Qatari behavior.
---------
On Israel
---------
¶10. (C) Commenting on Bahraini initiatives with Israel, King
Hamad said Bahrain continues to do its best to make Bahrain's
position clear to Israel and the world, and expressed thanks
for President Obama's recent detailed letter. He was taking
his time in drafting a similarly detailed response, and would
share his response with Ambassador Ereli when it was ready.
King Hamad said he looks forward to cooperating more with the
U.S. on key regional issues and specifically referenced the
soon to be executed moves of P-3 aircraft to Isa Air Base and
DoD's location of its forward Near East South Asia (NESA)
Center to Manama. ASD Vershbow and AMB Ereli thanked the
King for his strong support for U.S. policies and encouraged
Bahrain to continue its constructive behavior and leadership
in the Gulf.
¶11. (U) ASD Vershbow has cleared this message.
ERELI