Clinton clears way for al Khalifa Regime Weapons deal on heals of infant death from Security Forces CS Gas attack on Village

Baby’s death threatens Bahrain reform agenda
By Simeon Kerr in Dubai – December 12, 2011

The death of a five-day-old girl has become the latest episode threatening to overshadow attempts by the Bahrain government to lift the state out of a year of protest and repression.

Al-Wefaq, the main Shia opposition party, says there is evidence to show that the infant died in her home on Sunday as a result of inhalation of tear gas fired by riot police. A more detailed coroner’s report has been requested, says Jawad Fairouz, a member of al-Wefaq.

But the minority Sunni-led government denied the claims, saying the health ministry had confirmed the cause of death as bacterial meningitis. The government also responded that the interior ministry had said skirmishes near the baby’s house were reported “much later” than the time of death.

The emotive issue comes at a sensitive time for Bahrain. King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa held talks on Monday with David Cameron, with the UK prime minister urging Bahrain to press ahead with reforms and reconciliation, including engaging the opposition. The US is sending an envoy to Bahrain to monitor the implementation of recommendations of a damning report by an independent commission of inquiry that reported last month. The UN human rights department is also sending a delegation to Bahrain.

The furore surrounding the death of the baby girl threatens to undermine the government’s stated intention to reform as the economy shows signs of recovery. The central bank says personal loans are growing at their fastest rate in three years as liquidity rises on higher oil prices. …more