Bahrain heating up for uprising?

[youngindian]

Indian national killed in crossfire in Bahrain


http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/indian-national-killed-in-crossfire-in-bahrain-92626

 

[pmaitra]

Bahrain and Iran expel diplomats

Bahrain and Iran expel diplomats

Authorities in Bahrain have been trying to control anti-government protests

20 March 2011; BBC News


Iran has expelled a Bahraini diplomat in a retaliatory move, amid an ongoing dispute linked to anti-government protests in Bahrain.

Earlier, Bahrain had expelled the Iranian charge d'affaires.

Tehran has criticised Bahrain's Sunni rulers for using troops from other Gulf states to help control mainly Shia protesters.

Bahrain has accused Iran, the main Shia power in the Gulf, of interference in its internal affairs.

Both countries withdrew their ambassadors earlier this week.

"After the illogical and incomprehensible actions of the Bahrain government, especially expelling one of our diplomats, as a reprisal the attache at Bahrain's embassy has been summoned and told that one of the embassy's diplomats must leave Iran," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said.

Referring to the "legitimate demands of the population", he said that the "repression of peaceful protests and illogical actions only aggravate the crisis and deepen wounds".

On Wednesday, at least three people were killed when Bahraini authorities cleared a month-old protest camp from Pearl Roundabout in Manama.

In a brief protest in Manama on Sunday the main opposition group, Wafeq, appealed to the UN to protect them against violence, and to the US to help pressure troops from other Gulf states to leave Bahrain.

Opposition groups led by Wafeq said they would not hold talks with the government until troops were removed from the streets and prisoners released.

Bahrain's council of ministers said it regretted the "negative" response to an offer for dialogue from Crown Prince Sheikh Salman.

Some 1,000 troops from Saudi Arabia and a further 500 from the United Arab Emirates arrived in Bahrain on Monday at the invitation of the government.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12801991

 

[amitkriit]

Quick question: Qatar is an Indian protectorate. India has promised to help Qatar if they require it. What if something similar happens there? Will India back the government or the people?

Legally speaking Qatar is not an Indian protectorate. India and Qatar have a mutual defense pact as far as I know.

 

[sadhartha]

Right decision and good move, it will stable regional situation from further unrest, Iran is doing politics which worthless and will bring nothing but another trouble for Arabs.

 

[pmaitra]

Legally speaking Qatar is not an Indian protectorate. India and Qatar have a mutual defense pact as far as I know.

I see. That means, if India is at war with Pakistan, Qatar will declare war on Pakistan? That seems kind of far fetched, doesn't it?

 

[ejazr]

AFAIK, we have security co-operation pacts with most GCC countries and did have one with Iran and previously with Iraq as well where Indian troops could be stationed if needed on their soil. You can't really call it a military alliance really but more to do with protecting trade and oil routes. For Qatar its a bit more than others.

Security pact with Qatar gives India Gulf toehold
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Oman and Qatar, days before his departure for the G20 meeting in Washington, has given India a strategic toehold in the Gulf — two agreements on defence and security have been signed with Qatar, a country that is home to a US naval base. Short of having a permanent station in Doha, India will be ready to go calling whenever Qatari assets need protection.

With this one move, India is signalling to the region its readiness to play a larger-than-before role as it polices the Indian Ocean and the waters up to the Gulf of Aden. The pact allows India to take care of the defence requirements of Qatar, including intelligence sharing and manpower training.

As if to drive home the point about its growing military prowess, the Indian Navy on Tuesday, in its first-ever action after being deployed in the Gulf of Aden, thwarted an attempt by pirates to capture an Indian merchant vessel in the region.

The US is more or less the one that provides the main security umbrella to GCC countries. The GCC countries themselves have a common defence alliance that calls for all countries to come for the aid of any one country that is attacked. A logical conclusion would be under US understanding we have a GCC-India security pact. But is that really beneficial for us? Its unnecessarily provocative to Iran and might not be the best way to go about it.

Qatar, UAE have been almost unaffected really by the protests. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Oman have been pretty much able to tide the protests but will still have to tackle political reforms. Bahrain and Yemen are the wild cards and the most dangerous ones at present.

Its better to try other methods like offers of help in setting up electoral practices and systems, EVMs technology, parliamentary delegations and people-to-people contact rather than go for a military option at present.

 

[ejazr]

Bahrain govt. is making attempts to reach out to expat communities in particular the NRIs

Bahrain Foreign Minister Visits Expatriate Communities

Manama- March 26 – (BNA) – Bahrain has today vowed to protect expatriates' labour rights and ensure their security and safety. Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa has made the pledge as he visited several expatriate communities. He hailed strong relations bonding the Kingdom of Bahrain with their respective countries, as well as steadily growing cooperation.
He stressed Bahrain's firm keenness to boost cooperation with their countries of origins towards achieving joint interests. He also deplored the regrettable attacks targeting several innocent expatriates "These hostile acts are totally unacceptable and contradict the true mettle of Bahraini society", he said, stressing that Bahrain will always remain a haven of peaceful and civilisational co-existence. Shaikh Khalid first met the Indian Expatriate at the Indian club in the presence of their Ambassador Mohan Kumar. He expressed satisfaction at the pace of going cooperation in all fields, stressing Bahrain's keenness to promote relations and open up wider horizons for bilateral ties. He paid tribute to all expatriate communities for their crucial role in all development fields in Bahrain. Shaikh Khalid then met the Pakistani expatriates at their country's embassy in the Presence of Ambassador Ikramallah Mehsud. He hailed strong bilateral relations, stressed bother countries' resolve to promote cooperation. Finally, he met the Filipino community at their embassy, in the presence of Ambassador Corazon Yap-Bahjin. He hailed strong bilateral relations bonding Bahrain and their Philippines. Ambassador Corazon Yap-Bahjin paid tribute to Bahraini authorities for their interest in her community's comfort. The expatriate communities backed the steps which the Kingdom of Bahrain has taken to protect its security and stability. Their stressed their countries' firm support for Bahrain, lauding landmark national achievements in the political, economic, social and cultural fields. Shaikh Khalid stressed Bahrain's thanks and appreciation to The Republics of the Philippines, India and Pakistan for supporting Bahrain's security and stability. AHN

 

[ejazr]

YOU ARE FAMILY: Bahrain FM
MANAMA: This is your home, Bahrain told its expat community yesterday.

"We are one and your loss is our loss," they were reassured.

His Majesty King Hamad has issued orders that Pakistanis forced to flee their homes as a result of violent attacks against expatriates are to be provided with safe accommodation.

He has also ordered immediately help for relatives of those who sacrificed their lives for Bahrain's security.

Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa revealed the plan during separate meetings with diplomats and community leaders from Pakistan, India and the Philippines.

"The families will be taken care of for life. They are our family members and will be looked after," he said.

One Pakistani, two Bangladeshis and one Indian have died as a result of unprovoked attacks against expatriates by anti-government protesters. It prompted hundreds to seek shelter at the Pakistan School in Isa Town and the Pakistan Club in Manama and many other expatriates to leave the country.

Shaikh Khalid said a zero tolerance policy would be adopted towards those convicted of harming Bahrain's safety and security.

"No one can play with Bahrain and people in Bahrain and get away with it," he said.

"Enough is enough. We shall not take this any longer."

Shaikh Khalid said new measures to speed up procedures for expatriates wishing to leave Bahrain are in the pipeline.

He also pledged to personally look into the security of Indians and other expatriates, who had been targeted by thugs.

 

[amoy]

Bahrain protester found dead amid F1 security fears

Bahrain protester found dead amid F1 security fears
(AFP) – 4 hours ago

MANAMA — Bahrain's opposition reported Saturday the first death in protests timed for this weekend's controversial Grand Prix as rising fears prompted tighter security around the Formula One race circuit.

The body of Salah Abbas Habib, 36, was found in Shakhura village, where security forces overnight had "attacked peaceful protesters, brutally beating some of them with various tools and weapons," Bahrain's largest Shiite opposition bloc Al-Wefaq said.

The group charged that "security forces killed him one day before the final round of the F1 races hosted by Bahrain," without clarifying how the man had died.

In a statement on social networking website Twitter, the interior ministry confirmed that "the body of a deceased person was found in Shakhura today (Saturday). Police have begun an investigation."

One of his relatives, contacted by AFP, said "Salah was taking part in the protest in Shakhura Friday and was arrested by security forces while other protesters managed to flee."

"We knew nothing about him" after the protest "until we were told that his body was found on Saturday morning," the family member said on condition of anonymity.

read more on AFP: Bahrain protester found dead amid F1 security fears

 

[Ray]

These are lands where power is the law.

Justice is denied!

 

[The Messiah]

I wonder why there is no outcry from the bearers of freedom, human rights and democracy ?

 

[pmaitra]

Bahrain activist Nabeel Rajab jailed for three years

Mr Rajab has attracted support from many in Bahrain's protest movement

Prominent Bahraini human rights activist Nabeel Rajab has been jailed for three years for taking part in "illegal gatherings".

He is already serving a three-month sentence he received in July over comments on social networking websites.

Source: BBC News - Bahrain activist Nabeel Rajab jailed for three years

 

[Ray]

Shias are not the flavour of the month.

The Arabs with the help of their friends are going hammer and tongs to remove Shiaite Governments.