Opposition ready for dialogue with monarchy – really?

Editor: The majority opposition appears to have agreed to talks toward reform. The two major precondtions reported for the talks are release of the prisoners and reemployment of the “sacked” from their jobs for reasons related to the “uprising”. These are preconditions of convenience, raise productivity, get scores protesters off the streets through reemployment and keep the majority opposition out of the totally unacceptable role of being jailers to their brothers. It curious one of the most deadly problems, the lethal use of nonlethal weapons, the single largest killer of Bahrainis did not make the list. Also woefully absent are demands for the total exodus of Saudi Forces and advisers from Bahrain and the cessation of all politically related trials, the medics come to mind as a clear example.

Of Course it seem most obvious demand absent form the list, the immediate removal of Prime Minister Khalifah ibn Sulman al-Khalifah. And perhaps it loses something in the translation, but the majority opposition groups said the results of the dialogue should be agreed by the public and insisted that the outcome should be “revealed to the people so that an agreement can win popular and legal legitimacy.” Is this to mean deals made would be offered for public acceptance after the fact? Watch out for those devils in the details. We know everyone has Bahrain’s future in mind but be careful to ask whose future Bahrain? Phlipn.

Bahrain: Opposition ready for dialogue with monarchy
20 March, 2012 – The Muslim News

Bahrain’s opposition political leaders said they were ready for dialogue with authorities on Monday in a bid to end the political deadlock in the Gulf kingdom, but demanded a referendum on the outcome.

The five main opposition associations, led by the Al-Wefaq party, said in a statement that the two sides of the dialogue should agree beforehand on its “agenda, mechanism, and time frame, in order to help create initial confidence.”

The groups also demanded that the dialogue include opposition leaders jailed in the wake of a brutal crackdown last year on a month-long protest demanding democratic change.

The opposition acknowledged that they have not received any invitation for talks, but said they were preparing in case negotiations were initiated and had agreed to form a “joint delegation” for any future talks.

The groups said they welcomed any dialogue “leading to a political resolution guaranteeing justice and equality and protecting interests of people from all walks of life in the country in the absence of a security solution with its adverse consequences.”

The statement was released following a meeting of the groups, including the National Democratic Action Association, or Waed in Arabic, the Nationalist Democratic Rally Association, Alekha National Society, and National Democratic Assembly.

Political parties are banned in Bahrain and licensed associations act as de facto parties.

The five groups said the results of the dialogue should be agreed by the public and insisted that the outcome should be “revealed to the people so that an agreement can win popular and legal legitimacy.”

They reiterated that the dialogue should be based on the offer tabled by Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa days before the clampdown in March last year.

The crown prince had said he supported vesting the parliament with full powers and pledged to tackle naturalization, administrative and financial corruption, and sectarian tensions. …more