Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 5415 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
QA
YM YI YE

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08MANAMA470, BAHRAIN'S CROWN PRINCE ON IRAN AND GULF SECURITY

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.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

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. #08MANAMA470.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08MANAMA470 2008-07-14 14:02 2011-02-18 21:09 SECRET Embassy Manama
VZCZCXRO6410
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMK #0470 1961409
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 141409Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7989
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0241
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT  PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
S E C R E T MANAMA 000470 
 
SIPDIS 
 
BAGHDAD FOR AMBASSADOR ERELI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2018 
TAGS: PREL PTER MARR IR BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAIN'S CROWN PRINCE ON IRAN AND GULF SECURITY 
 
Classified By: CDA Christopher Henzel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

1.(S) Summary: Bahrain's Crown Prince called on the U.S. and Bahraini militaries to update their plans for communication and cooperation in view of heightened Iranian rhetoric. End summary.

2.(C) NAVCENT commander Vice Admiral Bill Gortney, accompanied by Charge, paid an introductory call July 10 on Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. After warmly welcoming Gortney and praising the Navy's close relationship with Bahrain, the CP sought Gortney's assessment of Iran's ongoing military exercises. The CP commented that the Iranians were reported to be plotting attacks on Gulf rulers. "They are trying to scare us, but it's not working." He described the struggle against violent extremists, whether of the Al-Qaeda variety or the Iranian, as a "generational struggle" that the Gulf states need to wage in partnership with the U.S. Update Plans ------------

3.(S) The CP referred to current heightened public rhetoric about military action and response options, particularly Iranian threats to strike U.S. bases in the Gulf, which he said would presumably include U.S. Navy facilities in Bahrain. The CP stressed the importance of maintaining close lines of communication and cooperation between the U.S. and Bahrain. Admiral Gortney noted the Navy would continue to work closely with the Bahrain Defense Force, furthering the strong relationship that we already enjoy. Charge added that CENTAF Commander General North's June conference of GCC Air Chiefs in Bahrain had gone well, and will be followed by further, more technical talks. The recent BMD exercise involving U.S. Fifth Fleet AEGIS ships and Patriot batteries in Bahrain and the UAE sent a useful message to Iran, and additional USG decisions related to missile defense should come soon. Charge also noted that Embassy Manama's Office of Military Cooperation, in coordination with CENTCOM, is reviving the U.S.-Bahrain Military Planning Committee, and that it will meet this fall for the first time in five years. The CP welcomed these developments, indicated the importance of coordination at the working level, and commented that he will probably be in Washington in early September and will seek meetings at DoD. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: XXXXXXXXXXXX********************************************* ******** HENZEL