Cablegate: Ambassador Discusses Tip with Mfa Leadership
VZCZCXRO1261
PP RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR
DE RUEHMK #0719 3541027
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 201027Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9112
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000719
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ARP, G/TIP, DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2019
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KWMN KCRM BA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES TIP WITH MFA LEADERSHIP
REF: A. MANAMA 652
B. STATE 111956
Classified By: Ambassador Adam Ereli for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). (C) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Undersecretary Abdulla Abdullatif Abdulla emphasized to Ambassador December 14 his government's progress in combating criminal activity related to trafficking in persons (TIP). He stated that the GOB would provide post with information on recent prosecutions and relevant sentences of TIP-related crimes, including those prosecuted under labor and other laws. The Undersecretary underscored that the GOB is "sincere" and "genuine" in its efforts to fight TIP, adding that the government is "working very hard to upgrade ourselves" (i.e., from Tier 2 Watch List to Tier 2). He added that the MFA would soon issue a report describing the GOB's steps to combat TIP, and acknowledging its shortcomings. Ambassador welcomed these steps and emphasized that timely evidence of progress in prosecuting TIP-related criminal activity would be key to an upgraded ranking at the next review. ERELI