Jeffrey Feltman, US Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs said that there was a need for all parties to work immediately to begin a dialogue that answers the legitimate aspirations of the Bahraini people.
“In our view, to be successful, the dialogue should include the full spectrum of Bahraini society, without exception. The dialogue will need to quickly produce concrete actions and reforms,” he said.
The US official said that the dialogue “must be a Bahraini process with ‘made-in-Bahrain’ solutions,” stressing that Bahrainis have the best ideas for Bahrain.
“We call on all of Bahrain’s friends and neighbours to support fully a Bahraini process and to refrain, as we are, from interference or trying to impose a non-Bahraini solution from outside Bahrain,” he said, adding that Bahrainis can count on US support to back a Bahraini consensus on the way forward.
However, Feltman said that dialogues required compromises. “Negotiations lead to certain results as we cannot start with results,” he said.
“The message is to encourage dialogue and not allow extremists to set the agenda. All sides have extremists and they must not impose the agenda. The goal is that the majority of Bahrainis feel they have a stake in the outcome,” he said.
Feltman said there was confidence in sincerity of HRH Prince Salman who “understands opportunity and follow-up”.
“This dialogue is different from the previous ones. It is real and seeks to meet the aspirations of the people,” he said.
The US official said that he has spent several days traveling in Bahrain and the region. “Here in Bahrain, I have met with government officials, a wide spectrum of leaders from civil society, and members of the media,” he said insisting that the US will remain engaged in Bahrain.
“Bahrain and the United States have shared a long and historic friendship. The United States will remain engaged in Bahrain, and we are unwavering in our support for Bahrain – the country and the Bahraini people. Bahrain is a critical partner of the United States going forward,” he said.
Feltman said that “real credible reform is a critical part of Bahrain’s ability, going forward, to uphold stability, prosperity, and the rights of its entire people.”
“Moreover, Bahrain has a unique opportunity for the region and the world, by reaching broad consensus on the type of reforms that permit all Bahrainis to feel a sense of participation in the decisions affecting their lives,” he said.
He reiterated his country’s support for the national dialogue in Bahrain and paid tribute to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for his moves to ease tension. Feltman also lauded the decision to vest authority in His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, to start a national dialogue, pulling security forces off the streets, releasing prisoners and making a cabinet reshuffle.
“We support the steps His Majesty the King has taken to diffuse tensions, and we commend the Crown Prince for pledging to undertake a comprehensive national dialogue. This represents a positive step,” Feltman said.
The US official who said his presence in this region underscores the enduring importance of the United States for its partnerships with countries in the region, called on all parties to start the dialogue without delay.
According to the official, he used his trips to four GCC countries to emphasise that Bahrain deserved support.
“The leaders of the other GCC countries understand the need for reforms and will support Bahrain,” he said.
In comments on US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s remarks that Iran was working on shaping events in the Arab world and that it was reaching out to the opposition in Bahrain, Feltman said that the US had no illusion about the role of Tehran in the region.