U.S. Says Concerned By Bahrain Detentions, Urges Dialogue
\nJune 15, 2011<\/p>\n
The United States says tensions in Bahrain are very high ahead of a planned national dialogue after weeks of pro-democracy protests and urged the authorities to encourage people to speak out.<\/p>\n
Visiting the Bahraini capital, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner said Washington remained concerned about the detention of Bahrainis without charge and reports of torture during interrogations.<\/p>\n
He voiced support for the dialogue proposed by King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa but called for transparency during the forthcoming trials of dozens of people charged with illegal activities during this year’s protests.<\/p>\n
Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. Navy’s regionally strategic Fifth Fleet, quashed weeks of protests in March.<\/p>\n
It called in troops from neighboring Gulf Arab countries and imposed emergency law, which it lifted just last week.
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