

Currently released so far... 12900 / 251,287
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
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
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 Belmopan
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
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
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 Suva
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 St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
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 Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AE
ASEC
AS
AR
AMGT
AFIN
AORC
AU
AG
AF
APER
ABLD
ADCO
ABUD
AM
AID
AJ
AEMR
AMED
AL
ASUP
AN
AIT
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
AA
AGMT
AINF
AFFAIRS
ADANA
AY
AADP
ARF
ACS
AGR
AMCHAMS
AECL
AUC
APEC
APECO
AFGHANISTAN
ACAO
ASEAN
ADM
AGAO
AND
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
AROC
APCS
AORG
AO
AODE
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AZ
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
ASCH
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORL
BR
BO
BA
BM
BL
BH
BK
BEXP
BILAT
BTIO
BF
BU
BD
BY
BE
BG
BB
BBSR
BT
BRUSSELS
BP
BX
BC
BIDEN
BMGT
BWC
BN
BTIU
CA
CS
CO
CD
CR
CPAS
CDG
CI
CDC
CBW
CU
CVIS
CE
CONS
CH
CMGT
CASC
CY
CW
CG
CJAN
CIDA
CODEL
CWC
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CFED
CLINTON
CAC
CL
CACS
CIC
CHR
CAPC
CM
CT
CTR
COM
CROS
CN
COPUOS
CV
CF
CARSON
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
CYPRUS
COUNTER
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
COE
CARICOM
CB
CSW
CITT
CACM
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
CNARC
CIS
EFIN
ECON
ETRD
EAID
EC
EU
EUN
EINV
EG
ETTC
EIND
ELAB
EAGR
ECIN
EINT
ENRG
EFIS
ELTN
EAIR
EPET
EZ
ET
ENERG
ECPS
EWWT
EI
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ER
ES
EN
EMIN
ESENV
ENNP
ENGR
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENVI
ECINECONCS
ELN
EFTA
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXTERNAL
ENIV
ESA
EPA
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUR
ECUN
EXIM
EK
EUREM
ECONOMY
EUMEM
ERNG
EFINECONCS
EAIDS
ECA
ETRC
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
EAIG
EUC
ERD
IQ
IR
IS
IN
IA
IC
IZ
ICRC
ID
IDA
IT
IO
IAEA
ICJ
ICAO
IV
IBRD
IMF
IAHRC
IWC
ILO
ISLAMISTS
IGAD
ILC
ITU
ITF
INRA
INRO
ICTY
INRB
ITALY
IBET
IL
INTELSAT
ISRAELI
IMO
IDP
ICTR
ITRA
IRC
IRAQI
IEFIN
IPR
IIP
INMARSAT
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
IRS
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
ISRAEL
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
IACI
INDO
KPAO
KMDR
KCOR
KNNP
KJUS
KCRM
KDEM
KVPR
KTFN
KPRP
KTIP
KSCA
KSUM
KTEX
KIDE
KIRF
KV
KTIA
KN
KG
KFRD
KWMN
KUNR
KISL
KU
KGHG
KPKO
KOMS
KPAL
KIPR
KMCA
KOMC
KRVC
KSEP
KAWC
KOLY
KWBG
KACT
KFLO
KHIV
KZ
KGIC
KBCT
KDRG
KBTR
KCFE
KE
KHLS
KMPI
KAWK
KPWR
KIRC
KRAD
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLU
KPLS
KRIM
KSTH
KDDG
KPRV
KICC
KS
KSAF
KBIO
KREC
KCGC
KCIP
KTDB
KWAC
KPAI
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFSC
KSTC
KMFO
KID
KNAR
KMIG
KVRP
KNEI
KGIT
KNSD
KHDP
KSAC
KWMM
KR
KCOM
KAID
KENV
KVIR
KHSA
KO
KCRS
KPOA
KTER
KFIN
KSPR
KTBT
KX
KCMR
KMOC
KCRCM
KBTS
KSEO
KOCI
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KSCI
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KMRS
KNPP
KJUST
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KLIG
KDEMAF
KGCC
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KPIR
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KRGY
KIFR
KWMNCS
KPAK
MARR
MOPS
MUCN
MCAP
MNUC
MEPP
MTCRE
MASS
MO
MIL
MX
MAS
MEDIA
MAR
MI
MQADHAFI
MPOS
MTCR
MK
MG
MA
MY
MU
ML
MPS
MW
MD
MARAD
MC
MR
MT
MTRE
MASC
MRCRE
MAPP
MZ
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPN
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
MASSMNUC
NI
NZ
NL
NO
NPT
NATO
NS
NU
NP
NPA
NSFO
NDP
NT
NW
NASA
NSG
NE
NORAD
NAFTA
NG
NATIONAL
NSSP
NV
NSF
NK
NA
NEW
NPG
NR
NGO
NIPP
NZUS
NH
NC
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
NSC
OIIP
OPRC
OTRA
OEXC
OREP
OSCE
OVIP
OPAD
OBSP
OECD
OFFICIALS
OAS
OPDC
ODIP
OPCW
OES
OFDP
OPIC
OCS
OIC
OHUM
OSCI
OVP
ODC
OIE
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFDA
ON
OCII
PREL
PINR
PGOV
PARM
PE
PTER
PHUM
PO
PINS
PREF
PK
PM
POL
PBTS
PNAT
PHSA
PAS
PA
PL
PGIV
PHUMPREL
POGOV
PAK
PEL
PROP
PP
PINL
PBT
PTBS
PG
PINF
PRL
PALESTINIAN
PSEPC
POSTS
PAHO
PHUMPGOV
PGOC
PNR
PREFA
PMIL
POLITICS
POLICY
PROV
PBIO
PREO
PAO
PDOV
PGOF
POV
PCI
PRAM
PSI
POLITICAL
PAIGH
PJUS
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PY
PLN
PHUH
PF
PHUS
PU
PARTIES
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
RU
RS
REGION
REACTION
REPORT
RO
RW
RCMP
RSO
RP
RM
ROOD
RFE
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RF
RELATIONS
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
SENV
SY
SNAR
SCUL
SP
SF
SW
SOCI
SU
SMIG
SO
SA
SR
SZ
SI
SC
SEVN
SN
STEINBERG
SK
SH
SNARCS
SPCE
SARS
SNARN
SG
SL
SYRIA
SIPRS
SAARC
SNARIZ
SWE
SYR
SEN
SCRS
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SENVKGHG
SANC
SHI
SHUM
TU
TSPA
TBIO
TS
TRGY
TINT
TPHY
TN
TW
TH
TZ
TSPL
TP
TBID
TI
TF
TD
TT
TNGD
TL
TC
THPY
TIP
TX
TV
TK
TERRORISM
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TFIN
TAGS
TR
UK
UNSC
UNGA
UNESCO
UNHRC
UP
UN
USTR
US
UNDC
UY
UNICEF
UNDP
UNMIK
UNAUS
UNCHC
UNCSD
USOAS
UNFCYP
UG
UNIDROIT
UNO
UV
UNHCR
UNEP
USEU
UZ
UNCND
USUN
UNCHR
USNC
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
UNPUOS
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 08:55 | 2011-02-18 21:00 | 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