World > Middle East > Bahrain > Relations with U.S. (Notes)

Bahrain - Relations with U.S. (Notes)

U.S.-BAHRAINI RELATIONS The American Mission Hospital, affiliated with the National Evangelical Church, has operated continuously in Bahrain for more than a century. Bahrain has also been a base for U.S. naval activity in the Gulf since 1947. When Bahrain became independent, the U.S.-Bahrain relationship was formalized with the establishment of diplomatic relations. The U.S. embassy at Manama was opened September 21, 1971, and a resident ambassador was sent in 1974. The Bahraini embassy in Washington, DC, opened in 1977. In October 1991, Amir Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa made a state visit to Washington. In 2001, Amir Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa made his first visit to the U.S. after succeeding his father in 1999. He returned to Washington on an official visit in January 2003. King Hamad made an official visit to Washington in November 2004 to meet with President Bush and cabinet-level officials. Bahrain and the United States signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement in October 1991 granting U.S. forces access to Bahraini facilities and ensuring the right to pre-position material for future crises. Bahrain is the headquarters of the U.S. Navys Fifth Fleet. The U.S. designated Bahrain a Major Non-NATO Ally in October 2001. Principal U.S. Embassy Officials Ambassador--William T. Monroe Deputy Chief of Mission--Susan Ziadeh Political/Economic Officer--Steven Bondy Economic/Commercial Officer--Stephen Simpson Consular Officer--Philip Richards Public Affairs Officer--Helen LaFave Management Officer--Raymond Kengott The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain is located off Sheikh Isa Highway, at Building 979, Road 3119, Block 321, Zinj, Manama, Bahrain. The mailing address is P.O. Box 26431, Manama, Bahrain; tel: [973] 242-700; fax: [973] 272-594. The embassys hours of operation outside of Ramadan are 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Sundays-Thursdays.