Cablegate: Arab League Boycott Status - Bahrain

VZCZCXRO6274
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHMK #0684 3371110
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 031110Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9053
INFO RUEATRS/TREASURY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS MANAMA 000684

SIPDIS

PASS TO USTR
STATE FOR NEA/RA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KBCT ECON ETRD BA
SUBJECT: ARAB LEAGUE BOYCOTT STATUS - BAHRAIN

REF: STATE 120272

1. Summary: In response to reftel, the following is a description of current Arab League Boycott (ALB) practices in Bahrain. End Summary.

2.As a member of the Arab League, Bahrain is officially committed to enforcement of the primary aspect of the Arab League's boycott of Israel, but enforcement is lax. Bahrain does not enforce the secondary or tertiary aspects of the boycott. The government has stated publicly that it recognizes the need to dismantle the primary aspect of the boycott and is taking steps to do so. In September 2005, Bahrain closed its boycott office, and there are no other agencies or offices charged with boycott enforcement. The U.S. Government has received assurances from the government of Bahrain that it is committed to ending the boycott and the government has maintained that position despite occasional calls from some parliamentarians to increase boycott enforcement. Bahrain has stated that it is fully committed to complying with WTO requirements on trade relations with other WTO members, and Bahrain has no restrictions on U.S. companies trading with Israel or doing business in Israel.

3.Although in previous years U.S. citizens and firms occasionally encountered outdated tender documents that referenced secondary and tertiary aspects of the boycott, such language was quickly adjusted when brought to the attention of authorities. The government of Bahrain has made efforts to withdraw all old tender documents, and new articles were drafted and disseminated in harmony with WTO requirements. There were no reports from U.S. firms in 2009 of requests to comply with boycott requirements or provide information regarding compliance. #HENZEL

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