VZCZCXRO3712
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMK #0329 1481125
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 271125Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7871
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHMFISS/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000329
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2018
TAGS: ENRG EPET PREL IR BA
SUBJECT: NATURAL GAS TALKS WITH IRAN CONTINUE
REF: A. MANAMA 306
B. 07 MANAMA 827
Classified By: CDA Christopher Henzel for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1.(C) Minister of Oil and Gas Affairs Dr. Abdul Hussein Ali Mirza May 26 confirmed to Econoff local press reports
quoting his statement that a Bahraini delegation would travel to Tehran that day to continue negotiations that could
lead to a deal for Iran to sell Bahrain natural gas.
2.(C) Mirza confirmed again that he was aware of deep U.S.G. concern over a potential deal. He asserted that the
delegation's negotiations in Tehran this week were a previously-scheduled continuation of talks that had begun several
months ago (refs A and B). He said the current round of talks did not reflect a new breakthrough. (Note: The joint
Bahraini-Iranian committee currently conducting negotiations was established in August 2007 and held its first meeting
the following month (ref B). The parties agreed at the time that the committee would meet monthly, with venues
alternating between Manama and Tehran. Bahrain will host the June meeting. End Note.) Visit Embassy Manama's Classified
Website: http://www.tate.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ HENZEL