US Looked for Dirt on Bahrain Princes

WikiLeaks reveals that Clinton asked about drug, alcohol use
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 18, 2011 9:13 AM CST
US Looked for Dirt on Bahrain Princes
Crown Prince of Bahrain Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa speaks to his delegation during the opening session of a UN conference in this November 29, 2008 file photo.   (Getty Images)

The State Department secretly asked its diplomats in Bahrain to look for tabloid-level dirt on Bahrain’s princes, a new cable released by WikiLeaks reveals. Hillary Clinton's office asked diplomats to report any “derogatory” info on Nasir bin Hamad al-Khalifa, 23, or his brother, Khalid, 21, such as whether they used drugs or alcohol, the Telegraph reports. It also asked if there was any evidence of a “rivalry” with their eldest brother, Crown Prince Salman.

The October 2009 cable also asked if either prince has Shia friends, and what their views are on how the country should rule its Shia majority. Why the US wanted the information isn't specified. (More Bahrain stories.)

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