Talks ‘only way to peace in Bahrain’<\/p>\n
BAHRAIN’S sectarian divide can only be solved by talking through each problem with all members of the community, says a European political delegation.<\/p>\n
Non-participation of groups in National Dialogue will only lead to further divisions, it added.<\/p>\n
The statement was made during a meeting held by editor-in-chief of our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej, Anwar Abdulrahman, and deputy editor Sayed Zahra with British MP Mike Hancock and Polish MP Professor Tadeusz Iwinski.<\/p>\n
The Council of Europe members are part of a delegation which has been meeting politicians, ministers, the youth and expatriates to gauge an understanding of what happened during February and March.<\/p>\n
The one-week visit also aims to discuss what can be done to avoid further unrest.<\/p>\n
“We are here to listen, learn and tell a story about Bahrain to the outside world which perhaps has not been told before,” said Mr Hancock.<\/p>\n
“There is a huge degree of ignorance at how the situation has been portrayed in the international media.<\/p>\n
“What happened here started out as an internal issue between the two sects but continued and gathered momentum as external influences played their part.<\/p>\n
“The strongest influences were undoubtedly from Iran and the US, and Iran can win a number of wars without firing a shot due to its sheer level of influence within society.<\/p>\n
“Now people have to know what will happen to this country if a solution is not reached and the only way of raising this awareness is by talking.”<\/p>\n
The delegation assured Mr Zahra and Mr Abdulrahman that the purpose of their visit was not to defend the position of Bahrain, but to present a balanced and non-biased report of the country to their respective parliaments.<\/p>\n
“I ask you not to come here to defend us or our position, but leave with a balanced and clear view of Bahrain,” said Mr Zahra.<\/p>\n
“This country is suffering from a sectarian division and issues in society.<\/p>\n
“However, there is widespread ignorance in Europe, not only within the media but also among officials and what people forget is that Bahrain was a pioneer of democracy in this region.”<\/p>\n
The delegation advocated that the Dialogue talks should be extended beyond its allocated month timeframe. …more<\/a><\/p>\n