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Viewing cable 10MANAMA64, BAHRAINI PUBLIC REACTION TO MEDIA FOCUS ON STORIES ON U.S.

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
10MANAMA64 2010-02-04 12:36 2011-08-24 01:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Manama
INFO  LOG-00   AID-00   CIAE-00  INL-00   DODE-00  PDI-00   DS-00    
      DHSE-00  UTED-00  VCI-00   H-00     TEDE-00  INR-00   IO-00    
      MOFM-00  MOF-00   M-00     VCIE-00  NSAE-00  NIMA-00  EPAU-00  
      DOHS-00  NCTC-00  FMP-00   BBG-00   EPAE-00  DSCC-00  PRM-00   
      DRL-00   SAS-00   FA-00    SRAP-00  GSWA-00  SWCI-00  SANA-00  
        /000W

R 041236Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9190
INFO GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
COMUSNAVCENT
HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS MANAMA 000064 
 
 
FOR NEA/ARP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV BA
 
SUBJECT: BAHRAINI PUBLIC REACTION TO MEDIA FOCUS ON STORIES ON U.S. 
MISSILE DEFENSES IN THE GULF 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY:  During the past week, news stories regarding U.S. 
efforts to bolster its military presence in the Gulf received 
considerable coverage in local dailies and blogs.  Bahraini public 
reaction varied considerably from support of U.S. efforts to defend 
stability in the region, to criticism of perceived U.S. provocation 
of Iran.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (U) On February 1, news stories regarding increased U.S. efforts 
to strengthen its military presence in the Gulf dominated the front 
pages of Bahraini English and Arabic dailies and blogs.  On February 
2, the story continued to garner coverage in the international pages 
of local dailies and social media sites.  Pan-Arab and some local 
media highlighted the U.S. military presence in the Gulf on February 
4, following remarks made by FM Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa 
in Washington, who characterized the U.S. military presence in the 
region as "defensive." 
 
3. (U) Bahraini public reaction to the recent missile defense moves 
has varied widely from solid support for American efforts to 
criticism of the U.S. for allegedly seeking to provoke Iran.  Local 
blogs expressed concerns that an increased military presence was 
indicative of a looming "new war" in the Gulf.  Some also questioned 
whether despite its military capabilities, Iran would be able to 
attack the Gulf region.  Several commentators argued that U.S. 
missile defense capabilities in the Gulf provided evidence of a 
"joint conspiracy between America and Iran," calling the U.S. and 
Iran "enemies of Muslims who have together destroyed Afghanistan and 
Iraq." 
 
4. (SBU) As a result of the recent media focus, many Bahrainis have 
expressed concern that the reported strengthening of Gulf missile 
defenses means that America or Israel will attack Iran in the near 
future.  Some Bahrainis have also publicly questioned whether the 
U.S. will place GCC security and stability above its own national 
interests in countering Iran. 
 
5. (SBU) Comment:  Elite opinion in both Bahrain's Sunni and Shia 
communities tends to view the recent media coverage as an adjunct to 
international maneuverings that are taking place beyond the view of 
the public.  But most Bahrainis are less sophisticated, and many 
have reacted with alarm.  The street in both communities fears that 
a conflict is brewing, and is convinced it would harm their island's 
stability, economic prosperity, and environment.  Many ordinary 
Bahraini Shia resent talk of an attack or even increased sanctions 
against Shia Iran.  On the other hand the Sunni street, while 
resentful of many U.S. regional policies, quietly welcomes the 
prospect of more non-military international pressure on Iran. 
 
ERELI