

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 07MANAMA375, LONE SUNNI OPPOSITION MP UPBEAT ON LEVEL OF
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. #07MANAMA375.
VZCZCXRO3729
OO RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMK #0375/01 1131410
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 231410Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6744
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE 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 03 MANAMA 000375
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BA POL
SUBJECT: LONE SUNNI OPPOSITION MP UPBEAT ON LEVEL OF
COLLABORATION IN PARLIAMENT
Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
-------
Summary
-------
¶1. (C) In an April 17 meeting with Poloff, Independent MP
Dr. Abdul Aziz Abul, the only Sunni member of the opposition
in the elected Council of Representatives (COR), was
optimistic about real collaboration between parliamentary
members and blocs. He was also optimistic about increased
numbers of Shia being hired by the Ministry of Interior and
the positive ways the Minister was working with leaders in
the Shia community to address concerns about aggressive
police tactics. Abul expressed disappointment for a missed
opportunity for Al Wifaq to address a long-term grievance
about compensation to families of individuals killed in the
unrest of the 1990's. He said that Al Wifaq is concerned
about frustrated and emotional youth who have been carrying
on low-level agitation but who do not listen to the Shia
community's religious and political leaders. COR
oppositionists continue to oppose a royal decree to establish
a commission responsible for complete oversight of the over
$10 billion Qatar-Bahrain causeway. End summary.
¶2. (C) In a meeting with Poloff April 17, Independent MP Dr.
Abdul Aziz Abul, who is the chair of the Finance and Economic
Affairs Committee and sole Sunni member of the elected COR
who is allied with Al Wifaq's 17 MPs in the opposition,
expressed much optimism about cooperation between
parliamentary blocs and the work accomplished in the first
four months of the new parliament. Abul spoke of his effort
to focus initially on issues for which there can be
cooperation with MPs of other blocs, and said that later he
will raise more difficult issues, such as constitutional
amendments and election district reform. He spends more time
than he would like on constituent services, such as housing
and employment matters, and pointed to the need for a staff
budget to hire someone to follow up on cases. (Note: Al
Wifaq MP Jawad Fairooz confirmed in a separate meeting that
other parliamentary blocs had realized after beginning to
work together that Al Wifaq MPs were not "monsters" but were
rational, reasonable individuals who shared mutual concerns.)
-------------------------------
Politics of Compromise...Almost
-------------------------------
¶3. (C) In discussing the need for greater cooperation in the
chamber, Abul described a proposal introduced by COR Speaker
Khalifa Al Dhahrani at the end of the day's legislative
session on April 10, calling for government compensation to
owners of property that was damaged during the unrest in the
1990's. The proposal sparked an angry reaction by Al Wifaq
MP Mohamed Al Maza'al, who demanded that compensation for
people who were killed or tortured, nearly all of whom were
Shia, should be the focus of any proposal for compensation.
(Note: There were 40-some people who died in the 1990's
unrest. The Shia community has long called for compensation
for victims. Sunni proposals for compensation typically have
focused on property damage that resulted from vandalism
caused by Shia rioters.) According to Abul, Al Maza'al's
emotional reaction quickly polarized the discussion, spoiling
the opportunity for a win-win outcome for a long-standing,
difficult issue.
¶4. (C) When Al Dhahrani unexpectedly introduced the
proposal, Abul said he had spoken with first deputy speaker
and head of Al Asala (Salafi) bloc Ghanim Al Buainain, and
asked for his thoughts on the proposal. Having told Abul
previously that Al Asala was not opposed to helping Al Wifaq
realize some of its long-term demands, Al Buainain said that
MPs should vote to approve the proposal first, and then have
committee members introduce amendments that would include
compensation for human losses. Al Buainain had said that Al
Asala was open to supporting some compensation for these
losses, and other blocs had expressed varying degrees of
support. Abul regretted that the blocs had not been given a
heads up that this proposal would be coming, so that they
could have strategized before the session. As he discussed
the matter with fellow MPs from Al Wifaq after the session,
Abul said they realized that they had miscalculated and
squandered an opportunity.
----------------------------
Shias in the Security Forces
----------------------------
¶5. (C) Abul told Poloff that he is encouraged by meetings
with and statements by Minister of Interior General Shaikh
MANAMA 00000375 002 OF 003
Rashid Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, particularly regarding the
hiring of Shia. Abul said he believes that the Ministry has
now institutionalized an unbiased process to evaluate all
applicants, give them a series of physical and written tests,
and for those who pass, place them on a list for hiring.
Abul said that there has been a steady, albeit slow, stream
of Shia being hired by the Ministry of Interior. There still
is an apparent glass ceiling preventing Shia from being
commissioned as officers, but Abul pointed out that the
director of the Undersecretary's office was a Shia with the
rank of captain. The Minister has shown flexibility in
recognizing the grievances of the Shia community about
aggressive police tactics and is willing to address these
concerns. In response to Poloff's question about the heavy
police presence during Formula One (F1) activities April
13-15, Abul said that this period was an exception, as the
government did not want to allow protests that could mar the
F1 event. Regarding the Ministry of Defense, Abul said that
Minister General Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa
continues to adhere to his policy of not hiring Shia.
----------------
Al Wifaq and Haq
----------------
¶6. (C) Abul said that Al Wifaq was concerned about recent
street protests by Shia youth because efforts to reason with
the youths had not been effective, reflecting badly on Al
Wifaq. The majority of these youth are between the ages of
14 and 19 and do not listen to religious or community
leaders, including Shaikh Isa Qassim and Shaikh Ali Salman,
MP and the head of Al Wifaq. Abul said that Haq Movement
leader Hasan Mushaima had so far been unresponsive to
requests from Shaikh Isa Qassim to get the youth to stop.
Abul saw only very small numbers of Shia defecting from Al
Wifaq to join the Haq camp and said that Al Wifaq still has
time to produce results from the parliamentary process before
larger segments of the Shia community become disenchanted.
--------------------------
Objection to Royal Decrees
--------------------------
¶7. (C) Abul said that members of the opposition in the COR
continue to maintain their objection to Law by Royal Decree
number 80 of 2006, which authorizes the establishment of a
commission to manage the construction of, and later the
running of, a causeway between Bahrain and Qatar. His
opposition to the decree is that the size of the project
(current projections are BD 4 billion ($10.6 billion) and
will likely rise) warrants the inclusion of increased
oversight of the project, including by the COR. Abul said
that he and others in the opposition support the causeway in
principle, but the large sums of money involved may be
vulnerable to corruption if the project lacks a sufficient
level of oversight. The COR has asked that a cabinet
minister be appointed as liaison between the causeway
commission and the COR, and the GOB proposed Minister of
Finance Shaikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa to play this
role, likely a suitable outcome, in Abul's view.
------------------------------
Good to Be Working from Inside
------------------------------
¶8. (C) Reflecting on the parliament, Abul concluded that it
was absolutely the right decision for the opposition to work
within the system rather than continue its boycott. The
boycott sent a message at the time (in 2002), but now he and
Al Wifaq were able to see ways that they can make a real
difference. Abul admitted that he had become more moderate
in his rhetoric and had focused on working together with
other MPs to accomplish common goals. He also commented on
the way that Al Wifaq had matured over the last few months.
The bloc decided not to push hard right away on sensitive
issues, such as election district imbalances, but to "hold
the stick from the middle" (an Arabic proverb) and build a
productive working foundation with other blocs.
---------------------------
Low Caliber of Al Wifaq MPs
---------------------------
¶9. (C) Abul told Poloff that it was unfortunate that so few
of Al Wifaq's MPs were qualified to serve in the COR. Only
four or five were competent enough in English to be able to
consult research on political and social issues in order to
educate themselves about matters they faced in parliamentary
discussions. Abul said that he regularly consults studies
conducted in the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and Canada, to
MANAMA 00000375 003 OF 003
inform his policy stance on issues of concern. He said that
there was little research available in Arabic on matters
taken up in parliament, and that those MPs who were limited
to Arabic materials were at a disadvantage to others who were
comfortable in English.
-------
Comment
-------
¶10. (C) Abul's views of parliament's work are among the most
optimistic and encouraging that post has heard. He strongly
believes that if the government offered carrots instead of
sticks to the opposition, it would find a more positive
reaction from the community at large. This represents a
180-degree swing from his previous views, when he was a
committed boycotter and head of the opposition Constitutional
Conference, which championed amending the 2002 Constitution.
It remains to be seen whether his optimism can hold as the
COR gets deeper into the business of legislation, with many
issues cutting along sectarian lines.
********************************************* ********
Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/
********************************************* ********
MONROE