Bahrain Shiite cleric demands rulers ease crackdown before talks on reforms

Bahrain Shiite cleric demands rulers ease crackdown before talks on reforms
By Associated Press, Updated: Friday, June 17, 6:15 AM

MANAMA, Bahrain — Bahrain’s top Shiite cleric denounced the Gulf kingdom’s rulers for “damaging the country” and warned Friday that tension-easing dialogue cannot take place until authorities halt crackdowns used to crush protests demanding greater political rights.

Shiites comprise about 70 percent of the population in the strategic nation, which is home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet. But Shiites claim widespread discrimination at the hands of the Western-backed Sunni monarchy.

“The reactions of the security forces result in damaging the country, but the people are patient and peaceful,” Sheik Qassim told worshippers in a mostly Shiite area outside the capital Manama.

Bahrain’s ruling dynasty has proposed opening talks with opposition delegates July 1, but the outreach has met a cool reception from Shiite leaders demanding that authorities roll back security measures and halt trials against activists and others on anti-state charges. At least 31 people have died in the unrest and hundreds have been detained. …more