Mike Hancock MP, takes al Khalifa and conservative party line – either grossly misinformed or sell-out deal over his recent sorted womanizing past?

Talks ‘only way to peace in Bahrain’

BAHRAIN’S sectarian divide can only be solved by talking through each problem with all members of the community, says a European political delegation.

Non-participation of groups in National Dialogue will only lead to further divisions, it added.

The statement was made during a meeting held by editor-in-chief of our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej, Anwar Abdulrahman, and deputy editor Sayed Zahra with British MP Mike Hancock and Polish MP Professor Tadeusz Iwinski.

The Council of Europe members are part of a delegation which has been meeting politicians, ministers, the youth and expatriates to gauge an understanding of what happened during February and March.

The one-week visit also aims to discuss what can be done to avoid further unrest.

“We are here to listen, learn and tell a story about Bahrain to the outside world which perhaps has not been told before,” said Mr Hancock.

“There is a huge degree of ignorance at how the situation has been portrayed in the international media.

“What happened here started out as an internal issue between the two sects but continued and gathered momentum as external influences played their part.

“The strongest influences were undoubtedly from Iran and the US, and Iran can win a number of wars without firing a shot due to its sheer level of influence within society.

“Now people have to know what will happen to this country if a solution is not reached and the only way of raising this awareness is by talking.”

The delegation assured Mr Zahra and Mr Abdulrahman that the purpose of their visit was not to defend the position of Bahrain, but to present a balanced and non-biased report of the country to their respective parliaments.

“I ask you not to come here to defend us or our position, but leave with a balanced and clear view of Bahrain,” said Mr Zahra.

“This country is suffering from a sectarian division and issues in society.

“However, there is widespread ignorance in Europe, not only within the media but also among officials and what people forget is that Bahrain was a pioneer of democracy in this region.”

The delegation advocated that the Dialogue talks should be extended beyond its allocated month timeframe. …more