Bahrain Shiite cleric demands rulers ease crackdown before talks on reforms
\nBy Associated Press, Updated: Friday, June 17, 6:15 AM<\/p>\n
MANAMA, Bahrain \u2014 Bahrain\u2019s top Shiite cleric denounced the Gulf kingdom\u2019s rulers for \u201cdamaging the country\u201d and warned Friday that tension-easing dialogue cannot take place until authorities halt crackdowns used to crush protests demanding greater political rights.<\/p>\n
Shiites comprise about 70 percent of the population in the strategic nation, which is home to the U.S. Navy\u2019s 5th Fleet. But Shiites claim widespread discrimination at the hands of the Western-backed Sunni monarchy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reactions of the security forces result in damaging the country, but the people are patient and peaceful,\u201d Sheik Qassim told worshippers in a mostly Shiite area outside the capital Manama.<\/p>\n
Bahrain\u2019s ruling dynasty has proposed opening talks with opposition delegates July 1, but the outreach has met a cool reception from Shiite leaders demanding that authorities roll back security measures and halt trials against activists and others on anti-state charges. At least 31 people have died in the unrest and hundreds have been detained. …more<\/a><\/p>\n