'When our close ally behaves in such a way, America finds itself in a tough position, and that probably explains President Obama’s very cautious statement saying that he is “deeply concerned.” We value Bahrain as the host of the United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet, we worry (probably too much) about Iranian influence, and it’s not clear how much leverage we have. King Hamad has strong Saudi support and has so outraged his subjects that he may feel that his best hope for staying in power is to shoot his subjects.
But we should signal more clearly that we align ourselves with the 21st-century aspirations for freedom of Bahrainis rather than the brutality of their medieval monarch. I’m not just deeply “concerned” by what I’ve seen here. I’m outraged.'
--Nicholas Kristof
7 comments :
What about libya ?
They estimate that at least 84 people were killed by Ghadaffi's thugs.
(Reuters) - President Barack Obama spoke with Bahrain's king on Friday night, urging restraint after the kingdom's security forces ignored Washington's earlier call for calm and opened fire on protesters demanding reforms.
Amid unrest across much of the Middle East, U.S. officials have voiced concern about violence in the island nation in talks with the government of Bahrain, which hosts a big U.S. military base and borders Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter.
The White House said in a statement that Obama, in speaking with King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, condemned violence and said Bahrain's stability depended on respect for the rights of its people.
Earlier on Friday, Obama said he was deeply concerned by reports of violence in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen. "The United States condemns the use of violence by governments against peaceful protesters in those countries, and wherever else it may occur," Obama said in a statement.
http://tinyurl.com/6jqxfg6
Here's Obama's statement in its entirety. Short of slipping a dagger between the king's ribs, I don't know what else he could have said or done.
"I am deeply concerned by reports of violence in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen. The United States condemns the use of violence by governments against peaceful protesters in those countries and wherever else it may occur. We express our condolences to the family and friends of those who have been killed during the demonstrations. Wherever they are, people have certain universal rights including the right to peaceful assembly. The United States urges the governments of Bahrain, Libya and Yemen to show restraint in responding to peaceful protests, and to respect the rights of their people."
http://bahrain.usembassy.gov/rem-021811.html
Thanks for reminding me about Libya, ih. They are indeed thugs, hired by a regime that's lasted way too long. Luckily that regime is not a US ally.
Obama has a lot to deal with these days. I'm glad he condemned the violence.
You know I'm not an Obama supporter Mojo. I'm not an Obama basher either. He doesn't really move me one way or the other. He is the President though, and I'll give him the respect the position deserves. It's times like these when we get to see what a President is really made of. How he handles these events in the Middle East will tell us a lot more about the man than his positions on health care or taxes.
He did a little more than condemn the violence btw.
"Wherever they are, people have certain universal rights including the right to peaceful assembly. The United States urges the governments of Bahrain, Libya and Yemen to show restraint in responding to peaceful protests, and to respect the rights of their people."
That's not something a police state wants to hear. But, the King of Bahrain was apparently listening.
MANAMA (BNO NEWS) -- Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Saturday ordered the withdrawal of all military from the streets of Bahrain with immediate effect, a government statement said.
http://tinyurl.com/48opbjt
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