Iraqi National Congress show of solidarity with Bharain Democracy Seekers halted by Maliki.
Zawya
04 Jun 2011
Aid ship bound for Bahraini protesters halted by Maliki ‘at Manama’s request’
A boat carrying aid to protesters in Bahrain has been intercepted by the Iraqi coast guard and forced to return to Maaqal Port, Basra.
Organizers claim that the Bahraini Government sent a letter to the Iraqi Foreign Office threatening to attack the ship if it was allowed to enter the island state’s waters.
80 well-known Iraqi figures, including jounrnalists, doctors and activists were also on board the controversial vessel that was apparently halted on the order of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Such a demonstration of support for the protesters would be have been likely to flare the already strained relationship between the two gulf countries.
The Shia majority in Bahrain began protesting at the end of February demanding reform. They were met with violent repression from the Sunny authorities that has garnered international condemnation. When the Shia dominated Iraqi Government added its voice of criticism, relations with Manama hit an all time low.
‘Actions justified’
The Spokesperson for the head of the National Congress Ahmad Shalabi, the main organizer of the project, said that Baghdad’s bowing to pressure from Bahrain was unjustified.
“Our foreign policies should not be based on pressure from other governments, but rather on the needs of the people. We are waiting for a proper account of why it was stopped form the Office of the General Commander of the Armed Forces.”
The Foreign Relations Committee was full of praise for Maliki’s decision, saying that the ship was stopped because organizers it hadn’t obtained the legal permission to sail to Bahrain.
“Of course we have to act in our countries national interests,” said spokesperson, Hassan al-Shweired, “but we have do so within standards that do not intersect with the international covenants and cannot considered as intervention in the internal affairs of another country.” …source
