bahrain

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sensational and in my view contributed to the increase in unrest. Even the BBC did not send
correspondents who understood the country and its nuances.
The arrival of the Saudi forces in late February is a particular case in point. Stronger statements in
London to the effect that they were in Bahrain as part of the Peninsular Shield forces established by
the Gulf Cooperation Council could have done much to limit the wilder reporting. At no stage did
these forces confront the rioters but were merely there to guard vulnerable points and to release
Bahraini forces to take on the front line security tasks. As it was, many reports tried to show that
Saudi Arabia had “taken over”.
6. Conclusions
I spent a week in Bahrain in early October 2012 with a party of Bahrain Society members and so
much of what I have laid out above is from recent observation. I found Bahrain to be as welcoming
and a pleasure to visit as always.
Had all sides in the 2011 events been prepared to enter into the Crown Prince's offer of unrestricted
dialogue in March and later, the situation would probably have calmed down. Again, I believe the
malign influence of Iran in the background caused the breakdown.
Bahrain is vital to the security of the Gulf area and so to the free flow of much of the world's
energy. The defence cooperation extended by Bahrain to British and US forces contributes greatly
to this free flow.
The Bahrain system of government undoubtedly allows the most freedom of expression in the Gulf
and is the most inclusive in the region. It is a prosperous and “go ahead” country.
Huge strides have been made since early 2011 in the control of the police and security forces, the
participation of the people in government and the ability of all people to live their own lives as they
would wish.
Bahrain is a valuable ally in a potentially volatile part of the world and needs to be more fairly
treated by any British Government. The Bahrainis have a high regard for UK and have many
historical links with us. We need to treat them more even-handedly and as a valued friend.
The British Government should continue to treat Bahrain as an entity on its own. It is a very
different country to Saudi Arabia. Bahrain has an elected government with its parliament able to
call unelected ministers to task. There is complete religious freedom. I spoke to the editor of the
main opposition newspaper about two years ago and asked him whether he would print antigovernment
stories. He smiled and said that he did so most days ! Since the unrest he has
continued his editorial policy.
There is no doubt that were the present governmental system to fall every single person in the
country would be worse off.
7 November 2012
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