Bahrain Shiite cleric comes down hard on “national dialogue”

Shiite cleric comes down hard on “national dialogue”

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Bahrain’s top Shiite cleric on Friday criticized reconciliation talks between the Shiite-led opposition and the kingdom’s Sunni rulers, accusing the monarchy of using the U.S.-supported dialogue to delay democratic reforms.

The remarks by Sheik Isa Qassim underline the deep tensions in the tiny, but strategically important nation, home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, after five months of pro-democracy protests and harsh crackdowns on the Shiite majority pressing for more freedoms and rights.

The cleric delivered a sermon Friday in the opposition stronghold of Diraz, northwest of the capital, Manama.

He said the government-organized talks, which started last week, are meaningless since they don’t take into account the urgency of the people’s demand for change.

“The people sacrifice so much for reform, and they (the rulers) talk about the need for gradual change,” the cleric said. “They want to give reform in small doses while inflicting massive injustice.”

At least 32 people have been killed and hundreds of opposition supporters and activists have been taken into custody since Bahrain imposed martial law in March to quell dissent. Many other perceived protest backers have been purged from jobs and universities.

Bahrain’s Shiites account for about 70 percent of the kingdom’s population, but they claim systematic discrimination including being effectively blocked from top military and political posts. Their revolt in February — inspired by wider Arab uprisings — have been by far the biggest challenge to any Gulf ruler in decades. …more