Cablegate: Update On Bahraini-Israeli Contacts

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PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHMK #0503 2321409
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 201409Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8878
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000503

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2019
TAGS: PREL KPAO KPAL IS BA
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON BAHRAINI-ISRAELI CONTACTS

Classified By: Ambassador Adam Ereli for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

1. (C) Ambassador Saeed Al Faihani, advisor to Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, told us August 20 that the Foreign Minister was still hoping to follow up on Crown Prince Salman's "Washington Post" op-ed of July 16.

2. (C) Faihani confirmed to DCM that he is in contact with at least one Israeli journalist -- from "Ha'aretz" -- and that the Foreign Minister is seeking clearance from Bahrain's leadership to grant an interview. In earlier conversations, the FM has told us that he wishes to address ordinary Israelis directly and help strengthen the constituency for compromise.

3. (C) With many of Bahrain's leaders just this week returning from summer vacations, Faihani expected GOB decision-making to start moving again. Faihani added that an interview might be granted by the Foreign Minister or Crown Prince in New York during UNGA. ERELI

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