US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Michael H. Posner voiced his country’s support during a press conference held at the US Embassy in Manama.
The US stance came in the aftermath of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa’s initiative calling on the executive and legislative authorities to engage in a national multiparty dialogue, he also urged all parties to take part in the dialogue and contribute in building the future of their country, pointing out that the Government of Bahrain is also keen on this end.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa held talks with Posner. Posner lauded strong ties bonding Bahrain and the USA and discussed preparations for the national consensus dialogue called for by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
He also stressed the kingdom’s commitment to international human rights conventions to safeguard people’s dignity and ensure their welfare.
During a Press conference Posner said that he had seized the opportunity to visit the Kingdom, adding that he held a string of productive meetings with a wide range of Bahraini
officials and citizens.
He also underlined the strategic relations bonding Bahrain and the US. “Bahrain is an important partner of the United States. We have a long-standing alliance based on shared political, economic and security interests”, he said. “Both countries benefit from stability and prosperity here, and from a society where all people are able to express their views peacefully
and contribute to the political process”, he added.
He said that President Barack Obama met His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, last week in Washington in this same
context and welcomed the government’s intention to begin a national dialogue on reform in Bahrain early next month. According to Posner, the real challenge resides in the way to initiate a multiparty dialogue involving representative
leaders on all sides and to ensure that the dialogue addresses and begins to resolve divisive issues.
“I have come here as a friend of Bahrain and the
Bahraini people and raised these concerns in the spirit of that friendship. We are mindful of the pressing need here for everyone in this society to begin an engagement that will start to rebuild tolerance, mutual respect and a process
for navigating divisions.”, he said. “We understand the difficulty of this task, and we also know that no outsider can make it happen. It is for the Bahraini
people to forge their own future”, he added. Stressing the importance for Bahrain to succeed in this endeavor – being a key strategic and political
partner. He also expressed the readiness of the US Administration to provide the Bahraini people and government with whatever to assist them in building a peaceful and prosperous future.
“The United States and Bahrain — and every
other sovereign government in this interconnected age — face constantly evolving security challenges. President Obama and Secretary Clinton have made
clear time and again that respect for human rights and pursuit of national security interests are not in conflict; to the contrary, they are best advanced
in tandem. This is the message I conveyed here this week — in all my meetings with government officials, NGOs and a wide range of private citizens”, he pointed out.
Posner acknowledged the positive developments achieved over the recent weeks. “There are several positive developments that have occurred here
in recent weeks. We welcome the release of some detainees who were not charged, the restoration of some scholarships, and the reinstatement of a number of employees who were wrongfully dismissed from their jobs. We also welcome the
announcement by the government that it will investigate deaths of people in custody, including one case where five prison guards are under investigation. The Government of Bahrain also has promised to investigate allegations of mistreatment of detainees in custody”, he pointed out, urging all parties to create an appropriate environment for national dialogue participate actively in forging the future of their country. He also stressed the importance of leadership in local and social media.